Things to do in Jamaica if you're afraid of the water

April 30, 2019 // By Lisa Niver

By Lisa Niver
Travel Expert April 30, 2019

It's okay to be a landlubber Photo courtesy of Sandals Ochi

It's okay to be a landlubber

If you're afraid of the water and would rather stay on land, but still dream of a vacation in Jamaica, don't fret. There's still plenty to see and do on land that'll get you close to that gorgeous water – but not in it!

Have a family picnic Photo courtesy of Beaches Negril

Have a family picnic

Bring your family to the beach, stroll along the sea and eat with your toes in the sand.

Play beach volleyball Photo courtesy of Sandals Montego Bay

Play beach volleyball

Bump, dig and ace the other team. The sun will not be the only thing bringing the heat.

Dance at a beach band party Photo courtesy of Sandals Montego Bay

Dance at a beach band party

In Jamaica, rock to a reggae beat with a steel drum band.

Learn dominos from the locals Photo courtesy of Sandals Montego Bay

Learn dominos from the locals

Pick up your tiles from the boneyard and start with the heaviest domino. Learn the Caribbean way from a local.

Enjoy a sunset candlelight dinner Photo courtesy of Sandals Grande Antigua Sunset

Enjoy a sunset candlelight dinner

As you watch the sun set into the sea, dine with your sweetheart.

Get colorful at a J'ouvert party Photo courtesy of Sandals Ochi

Get colorful at a J'ouvert party

Participate in Beach J'ouvert as part of Carnival. The celebration includes music, dancing and is a party for the people.

Eat Jamaican food Photo courtesy of Sandals Ochi

Eat Jamaican food

While in Jamaica, you must eat at the Jerk Shack! Jerk is a Jamaican cooking style where the meat is dry-rubbed or wet marinated with a hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk spice.

Lunch with an ocean view Photo courtesy of Sandals Montego Bay

Lunch with an ocean view

Where can you dine on fantastic food with a five-star view? Head to Sandals Montego Bay for lunch at the Oleander Room one of twelve restaurants on property with eleven more at Sandals Royal Caribbean and Sandals Inn.

Relax in a beach cabana Photo courtesy of Sandals Royal Caribbean

Relax in a beach cabana

Take your favorite tunes and your best friend and relax under the fronds of a private beach cabana while a butler brings you bubbly.

Stay in an over-the-water bungalow Photo courtesy of Sandals Royal Caribbean

Stay in an over-the-water bungalow

Make your romantic dreams come true and stay in the first Caribbean over-the-water bungalows. If you're not terribly afraid of being near the water, this is a great compromise to still experience it.

Find serenity with an outdoor couples massage Photo courtesy of Sandals Royal Caribbean

Find serenity with an outdoor couples massage

Experience bliss with a side-by-side massage by Red Lane Spa. Enjoy it outdoors where you can feel the wind blow and hear the waves gently crash.

Relax, recline and read on the beach Photo courtesy of Sandals South Coast

Relax, recline and read on the beach

Do you like to sleep in the sunshine? Pick out your favorite spot and slumber in your chaise lounge. Awake refresh, renewed, revived and ready to dip your toes in the water.

Have a drink in a hammock Photo courtesy of Sandals South Coast

Have a drink in a hammock

Have you had a drink in an over-the-water bar? Find your favorite hammock at Latitudes and you might never leave!

Watch the sky explode with color Photo courtesy of Sandals South Coast

Watch the sky explode with color

As the sun sets, you are treated to a show in the clouds while sipping on your favorite beverage!

Get married over the water! Photo courtesy of Sandals South Coast

Get married over the water!

Is it your dream to be married in the Caribbean? Say "I do!" at the Sandals South Coast Over-the-Water Serenity Chapel!

Next Up

US Olympic and Paralympic Museum workers cite 5 cool things everyone should see

About Lisa Niver

Lisa Ellen Niver is an award-winning travel expert and author of BRAVE-ish: One Breakup, Six Continents and Feeling Fearless After Fifty who has explored 102 countries and six continents. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she worked on cruise ships and then backpacked in Asia. You can find her talking travel at The Jet Set TV and in her We Said Go Travel videos with over 2 million views on her YouTube channel. She has won 6 awards from the SoCal and NAEJ Journalism Awards. Niver has written for publications from AARP and AAA Explorer to Wired and Wharton Magazine.