waterfall
Dunn's River Falls
A terraced waterfall cascading 180 meters over natural limestone steps directly into the Caribbean Sea, climbable in a human chain.
22 km · about 25 min drive
North AmericaJamaicaSaint Ann Parish
Runaway Bay
Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica · North America
About Runaway Bay
Runaway Bay is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Discovery Bay, 22km from Dunn's River Falls.
Runaway Bay is in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, with about 6,500 people. The nearest town is Discovery Bay, about 7 km away.
Runaway Bay is a town in Saint Ann Parish on the northern coast of Jamaica and is considered one of the most naturally beautiful places on the island. It is a notable tourist destination located 16 km (9.9 mi) west of Ocho Rios, and slightly east of Discovery Bay, where Christopher Columbus landed in 1494. Ocean ViewRead more
Beach is a private beach situated at Runaway Bay. It consists of a series of hotel resort complexes and beaches.
The name derives from its having been an escape route for runaway slaves. Arawakan-speaking people were the first Indigenous inhabitants, but they were eventually overpowered by Spanish colonisers.
The population according to the 2011 census was 8,640, roughly eight times the population of 1,116 determined in the 1970 census.
Notable people born in the town include Canadian actress Samantha Kaine, who appeared in the 2002 film Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. British composer and actor Noël Coward lived in nearby Port Maria and is buried there. Ian Fleming lived in nearby Oracabessa. Not far inland, in the hills south of Runaway Bay, is the village of Nine Mile, which is where Bob Marley was born and spent his childhood.
Reef areas such as the Canyon and Ricky’s Reef can be visited through organized dives offered at most hotels. Its fine offshore diving and snorkeling opportunities are said to be the best in Jamaica. Runaway Bay is a resort community with a good offshore reef, popular with snorkelers and divers. A couple of wrecked aircraft can also be seen in a dive site now known as Ganja Planes.
Runaway Bay is home to an eighteen-hole golf course at Breezes Runaway Bay Resort & Golf Club which has hosted a variety of championship events.
Where to Stay in Runaway Bay
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Runaway Bay?
Within an hour or so of Runaway Bay: Dunn's River Falls (22 km).
Where is Runaway Bay?
Runaway Bay is in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, about 7 km from Discovery Bay.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 6,517
- Continent
- North America
- Country
- Jamaica
- Region
- Saint Ann Parish
- Timezone
- America/Jamaica
- Coordinates
- 18.4596, -77.3357
Tags
Worth the detour from Runaway Bay
1 notable place within an hour's drive.
When to drive here
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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