St Mary Jamaica Parish

St Mary Jamaica parish is 610.44 sq km bordered by St Ann to the west Portland to the east and St Catherine and St Andrew to the south.  Port Maria is the capital and the population of St Mary as at end of year 2012 was recorded as 114,227.

 Source STATIN Jamaica.  

Though off the beaten track, St Mary has much to offer.  Driving through Port Maria the main road takes you up close and personal to the beautiful Caribbean Sea.   Stop by the rugged unspoilt shorelines; it’s a fantastic view – definitely a picture moment.  

The next main town after Port Maria is Oracabessa…such a pretty place…stop by one of those on the beach seafood places and enjoy a great lobster or whatever local food you love to eat.  

St Mary Jamaica

As you pass through Oracabessa, look out for a sign for the James Bond Beach…another great beach stop.  Lunch at the Golden Eye Bar, sip a cocktail or just enjoy a cool red strip beer while some good old reggae music fills the air.  And if you decide to stay  a while, the Goldeneye Hotel Resort is right there overlooking the beach.  

The Ian Flemming International Airport is located in Boscobel St Mary and it provides private jet service by internal air carriers to St Mary resort properties as well as emergency airlift and general passenger service.

St Mary Jamaica - Resorts

Well known Resorts in St Mary include:

• Couples Sans Souci, 
• Couples Tower Isles, 
• Beaches Boscobel, 
• Goldeneye 
• Golden Cloud 
• Robin's Bay

St Mary Jamaica - Museums

Oracabessa is also the home of “Firefly” the former home and burial site of Noel Coward, the British Novelist and Playwright up until his death in 1979.

Firefly is now a museum dedicated to the memory of Noel Coward, now owned and preserved by the National Heritage Trust of Jamaica.  

The property is on an elevation with great view out to ocean and is also known as "look out point".  If you decide to visit, you may have a short walk from the tour bus stop to the site - comfortable footwear is advised.

Pagee River 

The Pagee River rises on the south eastern flank of Berry Hill (a 1,655 ft (504m) summit) just below the 1,000 ft (300m) contour at near Crawle Pen in St Mary.  

It reaches the sea 14 miles (23 km) later at Pagee Beach) also in Saint Mary

St Mary Jamaica - Beaches

James Bond Beach, Oracabessa - Enter James Bond Beach from off the main Road at Oracabessa - about 8 miles from Ocho Rios.  The first time I went to James Bond Beach, the drive off the main did not prepare me for the memorable clear crystal waters of the area. 

This beach was featured in  the James Bond movie, Dr No. 

James Bond Beach is known for staging large events such as reggae, jazz or blues concerts where international and local musicians perform on the lawns of the beach.  

Locals and tourists alike enjoy the facilities of James Bond Beach.  

Lunch or just relax at the spacious Moonraker Bar over your favourite mixed drink or just swim and enjoy the clear crystal waters of Jamaica's James Bond Beach.   You might even bump into a celebrity or two on your visit. – friends of the owner maybe!

Reggae Beach - Reggae beach is a beautiful long stretch of beach located on the border of St Mary and St Ann.   It is one of Jamaica’s quieter less crowded beaches   and considered by some to be one of Jamaica’s best kept secrets.    

Evening activities of music and sea food dinners served in the open air is a main attraction.   In 2010, Reggae Beach was voted by Readers of Lonely Planet guide book and magazine as the Greatest Cultural Tourism Experience.

Other St Mary Beaches:

• Port Maria Bay
• Annatto Bay
• Oracabessa Bay
• Rio Nuevo Bay

St Mary Jamaica - well known musicians 

Jamaican musicians from St Mary  include: 

• Beres Hammond
• Capleton
• Lady Saw
• Ninja Man
• Sizzla

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