Sandals Ochi is the largest Sandals resort, located in Ocho Rios. This location makes it a prime spot for visiting many of the best attractions in Jamaica, such as Dunn’s River Falls and the Blue Hole.
You can book Sandals excursions online via the Sandals website after you’ve made your reservation, or once you get to the resort. We recommend booking Sandals Ochi excursions in advance since it’s such a big resort—many of the tours book up.
Details About Excursions at Sandals Ochi
Like at other Sandals resorts, the excursions at Sandals Ochi are managed by Island Routes, but you book and pay through Sandals.
Sandals Ochi excursions include river rafting, shopping in Ocho Rios, ziplining and river tubing, hiking and waterfall tours, ATV tours, deep sea fishing, historic and cultural tours, catamaran cruises, biking and dune buggy tours, horseback riding on the beach, and more.
We have been on multiple Sandals Ochi excursions during our visits, and we recommend not trying to fit in more than two activities in one day. In our opinion, the best excursions at Sandals Ochi are going to Dunn’s River Falls, river tubing, and visiting the Blue Hole. Dunn’s River Falls is a lot of fun. Going on the catamaran excursion is the preferred way to go, but you can also go with a ziplining or other activity combination.
River tubing and visiting the Blue Hole was really fun as well. ATVs here are not great, as there is too much transportation time and waiting for a short ride. We also don’t recommend the horseback rides or the Bob Marley tours for the same reason.
The Luminous Lagoon is also pretty far for what you get.
Let’s take a look at some of the excursions from Sandals Ochi in more detail.
Bamboo River Rafting & Swamp Safari
For a unique experience, relax on a bamboo raft as your captain guides you down the beautiful Martha Brae River in the rainforest. You’ll also get to see rare birds in Jamaica’s largest walk-through aviary, as well as exotic animals like peacocks, whistling ducks, and kinkajou.
Rose Hall Great House Night Experience
This slightly spooky Sandals Ochi excursion takes you through the historic plantation, home to Jamaica’s “White Witch,” on a candle-lit tour complete with storytelling. End the tour in the dungeon, which is now a pub.
Dunn’s River Catamaran Cruise
Dunn’s River Falls is one of the most popular natural sights in Jamaica. Head here on the catamaran and enjoy drinks and dancing along the way. Once you get there, climb up the slopes of this 600-foot waterfall and enjoy the amazing beauty.
Treetop Zipline and River Tubing Experience Ocho Rios
Adventurous couples will enjoy this Sandals Ochi excursion, which takes you into the rainforest to zipline hundreds of feet up above the trees. Then you’ll tube down the river as guides point out local wildlife and jungle animals.
Blue Mountain Hiking and Waterfall Tour from Ocho Rios
Enjoy delicious Blue Mountain coffee, then head up 1500 feet on a 2-mile hike up the mountain, which passes through tropical forest. Along the way you’ll get a chance to cool off at beautiful waterfalls.
River Tubing and Blue Hole Experience
The Blue Hole is another of Jamaica’s stunning natural wonders. On this Sandals Ochi excursion, you’ll go for a relaxing ride along the White River before heading there via a 17-th century Spanish bridge and past a historic coconut plantation.
Taste of Jamaica Cooking Class and Estate Tour
Foodies will love this chance to taste authentic Jamaican food and learn how to cook it dishes like Jerk Chicken. You’ll also ride through a thousand-acre estate, explore a tropical bird aviary, and enjoy the lovely scenery.
In between excursions, you’ll have lots of onsite Sandals Ochi activities to choose from. These include complimentary watersports like scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, Hobie Cat sailing, windsurfing, paddleboarding, kneeboarding, aquatrikes, and glass bottom boat rides plus complimentary land activities like day and night tennis, beach volleyball, croquet, bocce ball, shuffleboard, lawn chess, basketball, squash, horseshoes, table tennis, pool, and board games.
Golf is also available at Sandals Ochi, with complimentary transportation and greens fees included at Upton Estate Golf and Country Club.
Work out in the state-of-the-art fitness center and take exercise classes, or indulge at the spa (for an extra fee). And of course, you can lounge on the beautiful beach, relax by any of the pools, soak in a whirlpool, or enjoy tropical cocktails at a bar (including the Caribbean’s first speakeasy).
There’s also daily and nightly entertainment including live bands, a piano bar, chocolate buffet nights, beach parties with fire dancers, white parties, talent nights, live shows, Caribbean nights, and karaoke.