Athletics, the king of sports
It's no secret that Jamaicans are consistently the fastest sprinters in the world. Since the end of the 1980s, the small island has consistently placed a host of runners on the world's most prestigious sprint and jumping tracks, including Merlene Ottey, Grace Jackson, Asafa Powell, Veronica Campbell-Brown, and of course Olympic champions Shelly-Ann Fraser and Usain Bolt more recently. It is not uncommon to see a 100m race end with an all-Jamaican podium, and the whole island vibrates behind its heroes. Above all, Usain Bolt became the first athlete to have retained his 100m and 200m titles between the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics... Before doing so again in 2016 in Rio! With two gold medals on 4x100 m in London and Rio, he has no less than 8 gold medals at the Games. And he is still the world record holder in these two distances (9'58 in 100 m and 19'19 in 200 m). Definitely entered the history, "The Lightning" Usain is, on his island as in the whole world, a true legend. At the Rio Games, the new Jamaican star Elaine Thompson also made her mark by winning gold medals in the 100m and 200m. She will repeat this feat at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games by adding the 4x100m relay (with Shericka Jackson, Briana Williams and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Price) to her list of achievements. The next generation is here!
Soccer, a real local passion
The Reggae Boyz were the second Caribbean soccer team, after Haiti in 1974, to be selected for a World Cup in 1998 in France. A sporting event with a resounding success never seen on the island! The elimination matches held everyone in suspense, without distinction of age, sex, skin color or religion... The Jamaicans intended to prove with this first qualification that the sporting value of a country is not measured by its size, and the supporters of Jamaica or England were numerous to plan the trip to France to support the national team. As music is omnipresent in Jamaica, the reggae artists could not remain on the sidelines of this national craze that has touched the whole population. An original musical album, Tribute to the Reggae Boyz
, brought together many artists.The team has not qualified since and is ranked 57th in the FIFA rankings at the end of 2021. In women's soccer, the national team has qualified for the first time for the World Cup in 2019. An edition that took place ... in France! They defended themselves well but did not pass the group stage.
Soccer, a universal sport if there ever was one, has for some years now taken the place of cricket in the hearts of young Jamaicans, who follow international competitions with an extraordinary passion. It is impossible to miss the photos of Bob Marley playing soccer, one of his passions along with music, or to ignore the fact that Usain Bolt tried to become a professional football player after retiring from athletics!Traditional sports and leisure activities
Cricket. A traditional sport born in England in the 16th century and exported to all the British colonies, cricket still has many followers. Cricket pitches, on which twenty-two players in white suits compete, supervised by two umpires, are dotted around the island. Difficult to follow for the uninitiated, this game is related to baseball: a pitcher throws the ball that the batsman must hit to send it out of reach of the opponent's defensive lines. The popularity of the game in Jamaica is reflected in the popularity of the game. You'll find large fields all over the island where it's played, and perhaps you'll be tempted to take in a day's worth of games (yes, a whole day!) during your stay.
Dominoes. It may come as a surprise, but dominoes are a national sport here, as they often are on Caribbean islands. Many people consider this game to be a real sport, as it requires a lot of training, concentration and passion. Dominoes are generally played on a wooden table around which four players compete with verbal ardor to impress their opponents, who are already held in respect by the force with which the pieces are "hit" on the table.
A diving destination
The Jamaican seabed is among the most beautiful in the Caribbean, and therefore in the world. The Cayman Fault, on the edge of which the island is located, allows for a wide variety of deep water dives. Canyons, caves, coral reefs and crevices reveal the variety of an intense underwater life. Corals, sponges of all kinds, barracuda, red snapper, manta rays, sea turtles, dolphins, sea anemones, shells, small multicolored fish, the show is infinite... Dozens of diving centers are scattered along the northern coast, and are also represented in the major hotels. The southern coast, whose waters are shallower, is less rich in diving spots. The Jamaican Association of Diving Operators provides a list of approved centers upon request. Snorkeling enthusiasts will explore equally varied and beautiful bottoms at a modest depth.
The north coast offers one of the most beautiful underwater spectacles. The topography of the island is almost as diverse as its surface geography. The visibility is extraordinary in these clear waters, up to forty meters deep. The currents are usually quite weak and guarantee comfortable diving conditions. The water temperature is ideal, 24 °C in winter, 27 °C in summer, which allows diving with light equipment. Different types of living or dead coral reefs, deep faults, underwater caves, hollowed out basins like arenas, and even wrecks embedded in the coral, the show is permanent. Diving is practiced "American style", more leisure diving than sport diving. The world of silence awaits you!On the water, cruises and fishing trips
Water sports. With its thousand kilometers of coastline, Jamaica is an ideal destination to get into the water (and to bubble on its divine beaches!). The island offers a wide variety of coastal landscapes, from golden sandy beaches bordering a warm turquoise sea, to coasts cut by the fury of the waves ready to welcome surfers, kitesurfers and windsurfers. From Negril and its beach of more than 12 km, to the south and its black sand, passing by the creek of Frenchman's Cove, the Caribbean dream operates... Of course, many water sports are possible: surfing and kitesurfing, but also paddle, kayak, jet-ski and other towed buoys..
Boating. Boating is undoubtedly the best way to discover the beauty of Jamaican shores. Secret bays, deep coves, steep cliffs, and the smallest corners of the coast are accessible and much more beautiful when viewed from the sea. In all the tourist centers, all kinds of boats are available, from traditional sailboats to cigarette boats, for day or evening trips, with swimming, picnics or cocktails in the moonlight.
Jamaican Rafting. The number one activity for Jamaicans on weekends and vacations is the original Jamaican rafting. In reality, it's a very gentle river trip on a bamboo raft with a comfortable seat. One bathes in the translucent and fresh water... In Lethe, the atmosphere is very local. You can also go rafting in Martha Brae, near Ocho Rios, or near Port Antonio on the inevitable Rio Grande.
Big game fishing. Fishing grounds surround the island and it's hard to come back from a fishing trip empty-handed. The most popular fish on the island is without a doubt the famous blue marlin, a mythical fish celebrated by Hemingway, which can reach 200 kg and up to 2 m in length. Present all year round in Jamaican waters, its size is optimal in summer and fall. Large fishing tournaments are organized in the main coastal cities. The high-handed fight between the fishermen and the fish lasts for hours, punctuated by spectacular leaps and jumps of the animal, and despite its sophisticated equipment, man does not always emerge victorious from the confrontation. The barracuda is also a sought-after catch. Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Port Antonio are the main bases where fishing boats are chartered, for rates of about US$ 700 per day.
On land, golf and hiking
Golf. "Golfers' paradise" is what the director of Constant Spring Golf Club in Kingston calls his island. The country offers a wide variety of courses, most of which are concentrated around the coastal tourist areas, but also in the capital and the major cities like Mandeville. Inherited from the British colonial tradition, golf has been widely practiced by Jamaicans, before becoming a tourist boon. The dozen or so courses scattered around the island, hills overlooking the Caribbean Sea, deep valleys, undulating fairways, promontory greens and water hazards offer many surprises and thrills.
Hiking. The high peaks of the Blue Mountains can be climbed by sporty hikers. The most popular hike is to Blue Moutains Peak at sunrise or sunset with an overnight stay in a hut. On a clear day you can see Cuba from the peaks! The incredible forest of the island has many waterfalls to discover while hiking with a guide.
