Runaway Bay, Jamaica

🏝️ Welcome to Runaway Bay

Runaway Bay is a small resort town on Jamaica’s northern coast, nestled between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. It’s less commercial than its neighbors, but that’s exactly its charm.

If you’re looking for a place where you can snorkel over coral reefs in the morning and sip rum on the beach by sunset — all without rush or crowd, this is your place.


🐠 Top Things to Do in Runaway Bay

🌴 Chill on Cardiff Hall Beach

  • Soft, powdery white sand and clear waters — one of Jamaica’s most relaxing beaches

  • Calm surf makes it perfect for swimming and floating

  • Often uncrowded, even during peak season

🤿 Snorkel & Dive the Reef

  • Just offshore lies a stunning coral reef, perfect for snorkeling or diving

  • Colorful fish, sea fans, and calm waters make it beginner-friendly

  • Local dive shops offer equipment and guided reef tours

🏞️ Explore Green Grotto Caves

  • A 1,500-meter network of limestone caves with underground lakes and eerie beauty

  • Historically used by Arawaks, Spanish soldiers, and even rum smugglers

  • Great for a cool escape and local legend

🚣 Day Trip to Nine Mile (Bob Marley’s Birthplace)

  • Just an hour away, visit the village where Bob Marley was born and buried

  • See his childhood home, resting place, and hear stories from Rastas who knew him

  • A must for music and culture lovers

🐎 Horseback Ride on the Beach

  • Local tours offer rides through tropical trails and into the sea

  • A romantic or adventurous way to connect with Jamaica’s nature


🍽️ What to Eat in Runaway Bay

The food is fresh, flavorful, and deeply Jamaican:

  • Sharkies Seafood Restaurant: Right on the beach — grilled lobster, conch soup, and ocean breeze

  • Flavours Beach Bar & Restaurant: Local dishes like jerk pork, curry goat, and escovitch fish

  • Ultimate Jerk Centre: Quick, tasty, and spicy — a roadside legend


🏨 Where to Stay

Runaway Bay has something for everyone:

  • Luxury: Bahia Principe Grand, Jewel Paradise Cove (adult-only)

  • Mid-range: Cardiff Hotel & Spa

  • Budget: Guesthouses and charming villas near Salem or Discovery Bay


🗓️ Best Time to Visit

  • December to April: Dry, sunny, and perfect for the beach

  • May to November: Quieter, more affordable, and still beautiful — with occasional tropical showers


✈️ Getting There

  • 1 hr from Montego Bay Airport (MBJ)

  • 1.5 hrs from Kingston Airport (KIN)

  • Private transfers or taxis make it a smooth journey


💬 Who Will Love Runaway Bay?

  • Couples – Quiet beaches, romantic walks, and cozy resorts

  • Families – Safe swimming, shallow water, and kid-friendly activities

  • Divers & snorkelers – Excellent reefs just offshore

  • Travelers avoiding crowds – A peaceful alternative to Ocho Rios or Montego Bay

  • Music lovers – Easy day trip to Bob Marley’s legacy


✨ Final Word

Runaway Bay is Jamaica’s best-kept low-key beach secret.
With its natural beauty, relaxed pace, and nearby cultural gems, it offers the perfect blend of rest and discovery. Come here to slow down, dive in, and soak up authentic island calm.