Bloody Bay In Jamaica — Pristine, Beautiful & A Vacation Must

One of the first things a person might ask before going to Bloody Bay in Jamaica is how the area got its name. Fortunately, there is an answer that can quickly wash any perplexities away.

Bloody Bay was so named in the 19th century during a time when there was quite a bit of whaling activity happening in the bay. Today, Bloody Bay is free from any such activities, and it is known and loved for simply being a beautiful beach spot with crystal clear waters that is absolutely worth putting on your vacation must-visit list.

But, before we get into it…

Here’s what you need to know about Jamaica

Jamaica is one of the most well-known islands of the Caribbean. It is also among the largest. In case you’re wondering where Jamaica is, this island is located south of Cuba and to the west of Haiti. Jamaica is known for many things including a vibrant culture, home-grown music, a happening entertainment scene, great food, athletics, and so much more. It is also known for being a tourism hot spot. On this “irie” island, there are lots for travelers to do, including lounging on amazing beaches like Bloody Bay.

Where is Bloody Bay?

Bloody Bay is on the west coast of Jamaica, about 6 miles from Negril. There are some amazing coral reefs in the bay, which make it a great place to go snorkeling, scuba diving, and even kayaking. Many catamaran tours cruise in the vicinity of this bay, attracting scores of visitors regularly. Bloody Bay is also near some of the best beach resorts in Jamaica - a great feature if you’re planning an all-inclusive vacation.

Travel time to Bloody Bay from popular cities in Jamaica

If you plan on visiting Bloody Bay while in Jamaica, it can be helpful to take note of the time it will take to get there from various parts of the island. From Negril, it takes about 15 minutes to get to Bloody Bay by car. It’ll be easy to book an all-inclusive resort in Negril and schedule a trip to this bay while in Jamaica. It takes a bit longer to get to this area from Montego Bay (1.5 hours) and from Ocho Rios (3 hours). If you plan on staying in any of these areas and want to visit Bloody Bay, resorts like Sandals can help you arrange your transportation to and from this beach.

Bloody bay in Jamaica - A quintessential Caribbean getaway

Of the thousands of beaches in the Caribbean, Bloody Bay in Jamaica is one of the most beautiful. From the minute you get to this Negril beach, you’ll sink into relaxation mode as you watch the waves crash gently against the shoreline and get set for a relaxing beach day. Aside from its obvious beauty, here are some more reasons a trip to Bloody Bay might just be worth your while in Jamaica:

Bloody Bay is perfect for relaxing

There’s nothing quite like finding that perfect Caribbean beach to cool off, get bronzed, take awesome pictures, and just relax. Bloody Bay is a great place for all of the above as this beach is hardly ever too crowded. The water on this strand is usually quite calm and is shallow for a good distance from the shoreline, which makes the beach very family friendly as well.

Bloody Bay is split between private beach resort zones and public beach areas. That’s why you’re not likely to find the beach too crowded on any given day. There’s plenty of room to lay out on your beach blanket, towel, or get comfy in a lounge chair while scoping the incredible views.

The water is ideal for swimming

There aren’t many beaches where the water stays shallow for hundreds of feet before any significant dip. It will be a welcome surprise when you get there to find that Bloody Bay most certainly is one of these. Calm, shallow, and clear… The water on this beach is perfect, whether you just want to do a bit of frolicking or actual swimming. On top of that, there’s usually little to no seaweed - all the more reason to love Bloody Bay!

You can choose from lots of different activities

There’s so much to do at Bloody Bay. While there, you can decide what type of beach day you want to have — quiet and relaxing or fun-filled and packed with adventure. If you’re looking to try something new while at Bloody Bay beach, you can choose from a range of water sports that are suitable for both beginners and those who are more experienced. Consider signing up for snorkeling, scuba diving, or even kayaking out in the bay. While diving here, you’ll have the opportunity to see starfish, squid, small barracuda, stingrays, eels, and a range of tropical fish.

Good to know: Look out for sea urchins in the shallows at Bloody Bay. If you plan to explore the reefs or you just want to be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to wear water shoes.

You're just a short stroll from beachfront restaurants and boutiques

Want a beach day that includes nearby dining options, cocktail bars, and even shopping? If so, keep Bloody Bay high on your vacation agenda. Not only is there a great beach in this area, but there are also plenty of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and other attractions that can amp up the fun of a simple beach day.

While walking around Bloody Bay, there’s a chance you might run into some musicians jamming to reggae music and showing off their talent. This will be the perfect opportunity to groove to some Jamaican tunes and really let your hair down to enjoy the experience this island has to offer. When you’re done swaying to the beat, you can settle in at one of the popular restaurants in this area like Office of Nature, which offers fresh lobster that’s cooked right before your eyes.

Insider tip: For easy access to all the attractions Bloody Bay has to offer, one of the all-inclusive resorts in Negril might just be perfect for your Caribbean getaway.

Other places to see around Bloody Bay

There’s lots to see in and around Bloody Bay. Some of the nearby attractions include Booby Cay Island, Seven Mile Beach, and Mayfield Falls. Many of these places can be visited as part of combination tours, which can be discussed with your resort. Here’s what you need to know about some of the popular attractions around Bloody Bay:

Seven Mile Beach

Visiting Seven Mile Beach will be a tropical dream while in Jamaica. This is one of the most popular beaches on the island and the atmosphere is always lively and fun. Seven Mile Beach is also one of the longest stretches of beach on the island as suggested by the name.

Picture: Sandals Negril sits on the most gorgeous stretch of the Seven Mile Beach, which connects directly to Bloody Bay.

Seven Mile is as beautiful as it is famous. It is known for its brilliant white sand, calm and clear waters, endless water sports, nearby restaurants, and of course, the possibility of taking long, romantic (or casual!) walks on this truly extensive beach. Seven Mile Beach actually extends around four miles in all with the remaining three miles extending into Bloody Bay. If you want to spend time on Seven Mile Beach while in Jamaica, check out the best all-inclusive resorts at 7-mile beach, so you’ll be able to enjoy unlimited cocktails on this gorgeous beach!

Booby Cay Island

Booby Cay Island is the perfect spot for a day trip while in the Bloody Bay area. This small island is south of Bloody Bay Beach and it can be accessed as part of a tour. It is possible to swim or snorkel over to the island, but this is not always recommended as there’s usually a lot of boat traffic. While on Booby Cay Island, you can snorkel on the beach or explore parts of the island before or after settling in for a fresh seafood meal. Some tours include charcoal-grilled lobster for lunch, which can be a treat while basking in the peaceful ambiance of this remote island.

Blue Hole Mineral Springs

The Blue Hole Mineral Springs is one of those attractions you’ll probably catch wind of before even getting to Jamaica. It’s a popular attraction on the south coast in Westmoreland Parish — Brighton district to be exact. The Blue Hole Mineral Spring is about 30 minutes from Bloody Bay, and it is certainly worth visiting while in Jamaica.

Before getting to the Blue Hole, you might come across some videos of locals and visitors jumping from the cliffside into the Blue Hole, or even descending into the mineral-rich waters of this attraction via the on-site ladder. You can join in on these activities once you get there, and the choice will be entirely up to you on how you want to get into the Blue Hole. The Blue Hole is located inside a limestone cave, about 20 feet deep, and the spring is known for its therapeutic qualities. There is a waterfall near the Blue Hole, an on-site bar, and lots of places to relax along the edge of the spring. Before leaving, you might consider getting a mud bath mineral massage!

Mayfield Falls

Looking to have an amazing waterfall experience while in Jamaica? A visit to Mayfield Falls just might be calling your name. Mayfield Falls is just over an hour away from Bloody Bay and it’s one of the most gorgeous attractions on the island. Consisting of 21 small cascades, Mayfield Falls gives you the opportunity to dip into the refreshing falls, and even get right beneath the cascades in some places. You’ll also be able to hike, explore, and bathe in the many natural pools and whirlpools on-site.

Mayfield Falls is great for a half or full-day trip and it is a family-friendly attraction. There’s a $15 USD entrance fee to get in, and once inside, a travel guide can escort you during the one-hour trek up to the falls. If you plan on exploring the area and getting into the water, be sure to bring along a pair of water shoes.

The best time to visit Bloody Bay

Jamaica has a tropical climate, so the weather is warm pretty much all year round. Overall though, the best time of year to visit Jamaica is mid-December to mid-April, which also happens to be peak season for this destination. This time of year is also the best time to visit Bloody Bay because there is a lower chance of rain interruptions for your beach day and a higher likelihood of fun, relaxation, socializing, and generally having the time of your life. Jamaica tends to be warmest from December to March as well, so if you travel during this time, you’ll be able to catch some rays in the best beachside spots and cool off in the refreshing Caribbean Sea.

There's so much to love about Bloody Bay in Jamaica!

There are so many beaches to explore in Jamaica, and Bloody Bay Beach is among the best. Wade in the cool, clear waters, shop at trendy boutiques and explore the surrounding areas on your trip to Bloody Bay. A visit to Bloody Bay will add pizazz to your Caribbean vacation. What a great way to spend your Jamaican getaway!