James Bond Beach sits on a small peninsula at Oracabessa Bay about 10 miles (16 km) from Ocho Rios on Jamaica's north coast. Located just off Main Street Oracabessa, adjacent to luxury estates Goldeneye and Golden Clouds, James Bond Beach has brightly painted changing rooms, a water sports centre, a bar and a restaurant. It is surrounded by crystal clear water on three sides and an amazing backdrop; the lush mountains of St Mary reaching straight down to the sea.
Its expansive lawns are a regular venue for concerts by international artists such as Rihanna, Ziggy Marley, and Lauryn Hill. Scenes from the classic James Bond movie Dr. No, which features a young and beautiful Ursula Andress were filmed at James Bond beach. The huge 2-story Moonraker bar, open on all sides, can hold up to 200, but the only time it's that packed is during occasional jazz, blues, soca and reggae concerts. It's a genuine beach bar where sandy feet and wet swimsuits are the norm. The Bond-related décor is subdued, obvious only in the names of movies painted on small bamboo pieces that hang over the first-floor bar. There are no Bond souvenir stands anywhere.
Both locals and tourists come to James Bond Beach to drink, dine, sun and swim. Celebrity friends of owner Chris Blackwell, who is also a movie producer and founder of Island Records, sometimes stop by. A weekend regular is Carl Bradshaw, who appeared in such well-known Jamaica-based movies as The Harder They Come and The Mighty Quinn.
