Teachers from St Mary and St Ann were recently honoured with a catamaran cruise experience courtesy of the Sandals Ocho Rios Beach Resort, as part of its Teachers’ Day observance on May 6.
A total of 150 educators were treated to their first catamaran excursion, which included on-board entertainment, spa services and dining. Guests received neck and shoulder massages from Sandals spa staff at the resort pier, followed by a buffet lunch featuring gourmet offerings. The experience was complemented by a DJ set featuring gospel music, reggae and dancehall selections.
The appreciation event was part of broader outreach efforts by the resort to recognise the contribution of teachers in Jamaica’s education system.
The resort followed up the celebration during Child’s Month in May with a free dental clinic initiative targeting students in St Mary. The programme, held at the Gayle Civic Centre, screened more than 500 students over the course of a week ending May 15.
On one of the busiest days alone, about 70 students received dental screening and treatment, including fillings, extractions, sealants and cleanings. Volunteer dentists and dental personnel, supported by equipment on site, delivered the services free of charge.
Lyndsay Isaacs, regional public relations manager for Sandals Ocho Rios Beach Resort, said the annual initiative plays a vital role in community health outreach. “The Sandals Foundation’s Free Dental Health Clinic is vital for many families and early detection has helped to save many beautiful smiles,” she said.
The initiatives form part of the resort’s ongoing community engagement programmes aimed at supporting education and healthcare across surrounding parishes.
Set along the hillsides and beachfront of Ocho Rios, Sandals Ochi Beach Resort is widely regarded as one of the brand’s largest and most dynamic properties in Jamaica, spanning more than 100 acres and blending a lively beach club atmosphere with a more secluded hillside retreat.
Originally developed through the consolidation and redevelopment of earlier properties, the resort has grown into a dual-concept destination featuring both a vibrant “Beach Club” along the Caribbean Sea and the more private Butler Village tucked into lush gardens above the shoreline. The layout gives guests a choice between high-energy social spaces and quieter, more exclusive accommodations with villa-style rooms and private pools.
Industry listings and travel reviews consistently note that the resort is one of the most activity-rich in the Sandals portfolio, with a large number of dining and entertainment options. Guests typically have access to more than a dozen restaurants and multiple bars, along with swim-up pools, themed nightlife, and live entertainment that runs throughout the week. The property also includes a notable “speakeasy-style” bar concept and a range of curated evening events that have helped it earn a reputation as one of the livelier adults-only resorts in the region.
Beyond leisure, the resort offers a strong activity lineup, including water sports such as snorkeling, sailing and scuba diving for certified guests, along with tennis, fitness facilities, and access to nearby golf at Upton Estate Golf & Country Club, where green fees are typically included. Wellness offerings are anchored by Sandals’ signature Red Lane Spa, which provides treatments ranging from massages to full spa packages.
A key feature of Sandals Ochi is its “Stay at 1, Play at 2 (or more)” structure, allowing guests to access sister properties in the Ocho Rios area, including Sandals Dunn’s River and Sandals Royal Plantation, significantly expanding dining, beach, and entertainment options across the region.
