Swim With These Stunning Animals in Jamaica

Dolphin show at Dolphins Cove, Jamaica
Dolphin show at Dolphin's Cove, Jamaica | © Chad Sparkes/Flickr

Freelance Caribbean Writer

Having a close encounter with wild animals is a common feature on a traveller’s bucket list. There’s really nothing more extraordinary than swimming with tropical animals. From thoroughbred horses to dolphins, you can find some of the most enchanting animals in Jamaica’s blue sea. Here’s our list of animals that you must seek the chance to swim with when visiting Jamaica.

Dolphins

Dolphin Cove is the most popular marine attraction in Jamaica, offering guests the chance to feed, swim and interact with dolphins. The cove’s dolphins have garnered a reputation for being extremely friendly and charming. They are trained to perform a number of tricks, such as back-flips, giving people rides on their backs, giving out kisses and much more.

Dolphin Cove, Jamaica

Horses

There are a few resorts in Jamaica that have trained their horses to swim. Guests are offered bareback rides in the majestic Caribbean Sea on well-trained, thoroughbred horses. The horse rides are completely safe, so it’s an amazing adventure that the entire family can enjoy.

Swimming horses

Coral Reef

Jamaica is known for its beautiful beaches and marine life that snorkellers and scuba-divers flock to. The island is surrounded by a coral reef, which meanders quite near the island, in some spots about 20 minutes offshore. Most of the island’s coral reefs are a little further and typically require a boat to get there. Luckily, many resorts in Jamaica offer snorkeling adventures to their guests, but professional captains and boats are also available for rent.

Coral reef

Stingrays

Stingray City Jamaica is located 25 minutes east of Ocho Rios, in a beautiful, private peninsula. Upon arrival, guests are given a brief orientation and safety briefing to demonstrate the correct way to handle a stingray. You can then dive into the clear Caribbean waters to feed and pet them. Equipped with complimentary snorkels and masks, you can easily view these magnificent and graceful marine creatures.

Stingray, Jamaica

Starfish

In many coral reefs and marine attractions in Jamaica, you will typically find starfish. They also tend to sometimes wash up on the shores of public beaches. Starfish are one of the most unique and popular marine creatures – they have no brain or blood (instead they use filtered seawater) and they have the ability to regenerate limbs.

Red starfish

Sea turtles

Over the last few years, Jamaicans have been on a mission to protect and preserve the lives of sea turtles. Turtles have actually existed for more than 200 million years, dating back to the Age of Dinosaurs. As their flippers made them natural swimmers, turtles evolved into a cross between amphibian and reptile. Sea turtles in Jamaica are an infrequent siting compared to other marine life, so when spotted they should be handled with the utmost care.

Sea turtle

Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.

Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>

All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.

Culture Trip Spring Sale

Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.

X
close-ad
Edit article