Hundreds of people gather around, all eager wait for the moment to come. Standing on a 25ft ledge is a brave soul, glancing down at the water below with clenched fists. The onlookers hold their breaths along with their cameras until the decision has been made to jump.
Then, seconds seem like minutes before the water below is met. Chants of, ‘jump, jump, jump‘ turn into mass cheers and whistles. I watch and think, ‘no way‘.
Located on a natural cove along the Negril coast is the legendary Rick’s Cafe, the hotspot for cliff diving while in Jamaica. In fact, diving here is one of the ‘10 things you absolutely must do‘ in Jamaica according to Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine. There’s many ledges to jump from, the highest at 40ft is primarily left to professional locals that put on quite the show.
In case it wasn’t 100% clear, heck no, I didn’t jump. Instead, I opted for watching crazy lunatics {like my husband} take the intense plunge off the beautiful Negril cliffs and into the clear blue Caribbean sea.
I can use my slight fear of heights as an excuse for this, and the fact thatI’m so clumsy that if anyone were to get terribly hurt with their jump, it’d be me. Be advised please, people have gotten very hurt taking this jump and it is completely ‘at your own risk’ {my psa for the day}.
Besides cliff diving and watching the jumpers {while wondering who will be the next YouTube sensation}, Rick’s Cafe offers much to see and do.
The location is beyond beautiful, a popular destination for a couple or a group of friends to order some appetizers, sip on a Red Stripe and take in the surroundings and wait for the iconic sunset while the nightly entertainment performs.
That’s what we did, and it was incredible.
Rick’s Cafe opened in 1974 as one Negril’s first public bar and restaurant. Hurricane Gilbert hit the island in 1988, the 25 ft waves destroyed Rick’s Café. It was soon rebuilt but Hurricane Ivan with its 60-8 ft waves in 2004, destroyed it again. Rick’s Cafe was again rebuilt, this time bigger and even better.
Rick’s Cafe has gained much popularity in its time and is one of the most iconic locations in the world.
Tourist hotspot indeed, yet I love how the location still maintains the true Jamaican culture and the carefree vibe. Caribbean Travel and Life Magazine also coined Rick’s as having the ‘Best Live Reggae Bar‘ and an esteemed title of ‘One of the Ten Best Bars in the World‘. Yes, it’s a must-visit when in Negril.
Negril will always be known to me as having some of the best sunsets in the world, and this is a prime location to take that in. While we were there, dolphins were spotted playing the water about 100ft from the cliffs edge.
Watching the dolphins jump together out of the water just as the sun set AND while a live steel drum band played – was a truly amazing experience.
Grace Hodgin says
What a lovely place and the water is beautiful however the crowd could chant jump all they wanted and I’d opt watching others jump too. Thanks for sharing such a lovely place.
Tammi says
Ha! You and me both Grace, there was no way my feet were leaving solid ground!
diane says
What absolutely stunning pictures. You would, however, have to toss me off that cliff forcefully if I ever visited! I would love to experience the thrill but not sure I would be brave enough!
Tammi says
Hahahaha, no kidding!
Sarah - ITKM says
Gorgeous spot! We’ve been thinking of taking a trip to Jamaica… it’s been awhile since we’ve headed east for a vacation. I will definitely keep Rick’s Cafe in mind if we do! Oh and I cringe at all the cliff jumping I’ve done in the past (pre-kids) — don’t think it would be worth the risk these days. -= )
Tammi says
That’s the thing I wonder – would I have jumped if I didn’t have children? Or knew the cost of a wasted vacay of I spent the rest in pain or worse, in a hospital … nope, don’t think I ever could! lol
Sarah says
I might jump. 🙂 That looks amazing!
Tammi says
ok, you jump and I’ll take the video – deal!!
😉
kathy downey says
Thanks for sharing such a lovely place,i do not think i could jump !
Tammi says
… not even if all my friends were. lol
😉
Jennifer Soltys says
AHHH! I would have been right next to you just watching! Looks scary to me, but super pretty!! The color of that water is breathtaking.
Tammi says
It is soooo incredibly gorgeous there! It’s a must visit location whether you jump or not!
Donnas says
We had plans to go to Negril (but unfortunately won’t be able to) but in the future if we get to go, I’ll definitely check out Rick’s Cafe.
Tammi says
Oh darn! I hear ya on that one though, I was supposed to visit three times before I actually did go. Then, i went twice in a month!! 😉
JaimeeM says
I would definitely jump. I used to go to sauble falls with my grandparents near wiarton… best times of my childhood. We would jump off the cliffs into the water below. And climb up the fall to do it all over again.
Tammi says
It looks like a lot of fun and obviously many MANY people go there to jump … but I’m still a firm no on it, I couldn’t!!! Eeeek!
Anna C says
How beautiful!
Tammi says
Oh, it really is. I love it there!
Deb says
I swoon…that looks like a gorgeous place to visit. I don’t think I could make that 25ft plunge though. Those are some brave folks.
Tammi says
They are very brave! I’m quite happy taking in everything else!
🙂
Crissy Page says
Wowwww… those pictures are absolutely incredible. If I close my eyes, I can picture myself there!
Tammi says
Ahhh, what a nice picture that paints too!
🙂
Rorybore says
definitely one of the must see places when in Jamaica. I jumped….but I was young and stupid and also Red Stripe was my liquid courage: I don’t know that if I went back now as a mom of 3 if would jump again.
beautiful pictures – you really capture how stunning it is here.
Tammi says
“Red Stripe was my liquid courage” hahahaha!!!
Thank you and if you do go back and jump – let me know!!
🙂
Stacie says
Looks absolutely gorgeous!!! I wouldn’t jump either. I’m scared of heights lol.
Tammi says
same, and it seems to be getting worse with age <--- yes, I just said that. 🙁
InezbyDesign says
I’m not much of a swimmer, coming from the cold and frozen North, but I love to watch others. My husband would undoubtedly be one of the ones Jumping! It does sound like an incredible spot.
Tammi says
It’s beautiful!! Thankfully, there’s plenty to do besides jump. Like watch and cringe! lol
Florence C says
Looks like another Great spot in Jamaica. I would never jump. But I would love to stand and watch everyone else jump.
Tammi says
There’s so much there. I love Jamaica!!
Holly Wright says
I would sure love to visit this place! Beautiful!
Tammi says
It sure is!!
🙂
Danielle says
Looks like an amazing place. I’d totally jump off. It would be a once in a lifetime experience.
Tammi says
Good for you! Can I video? lol
Paula H says
I love Jamaica! I’ve never been to Negril. It’s now at the top of my list! I’ve also heard Rick’s cafe is the place to be.
Tammi says
Oh yes it is. You do need to go!
addibrae says
That place looks beautiful.
Tammi says
I love it there, just breathtaking!!
Tiffany (Fabulous Mom Blog) says
Jamaica is on my ‘life list’. I so want to visit, looks amazing. That water is so beautiful.
Tammi says
I smile just thinking of being there, you must go one day!
Elizabeth Bryan says
I would love to vacation in Jamaica someday!
Tammi says
You need to! I’d love to go back sooner than later! lol
Dianne G. says
Love the sunset photo. It looks so peaceful and it must have been amazing to see the dolphins jumping. They are such interesting creatures.
Tammi says
It was perfect!
Rhonda Albom says
I wouldn’t have jumped either. I have a niece who would have in a heart beat.
Tammi says
My nieces would too, I’d be the Aunt with the scardy face watching. lol
Wendy says
I’ve jumped twice! It’s such a rush and exhilarating! Love Rick’s and all that Jamaica has to offer!