What’s it like in Jamaica in October – Updated for 2024

What's it like in Jamaica in October? (Updated 2024)

Thinking of going to Jamaica in October?

Jamaica in October

 

Everyone wants to know … What’s there to do in Jamaica in October? What’s the weather like? Is October a good time of year to visit Jamaica?

We answer those questions plus give a few insider tips to help you enjoy your vacation.

 

Table of Contents

Is October a good month to go to  Jamaica?

 

Here is a brief summary of October in Jamaica.

October is the off-season. There are fewer tourists in Jamaica in October. Lodging prices are generally at their lowest.

There is still quite a bit to do in Jamaica in October. The attractions are open.

Traditionally, there are no major festivals or large music shows in October.

It is hurricane season; but, the risk of a direct hit is statistically low. October is one of the rainier months in Jamaica, but that doesn’t mean that your vacation will necessarily get rained out.

Going to Jamaica in October, the off-season, can actually save you quite a bit of money. Read why the offseason is a great time to go to Jamaica.

Read on for a more detailed view of October in Jamaica.

 

Public Holidays in Jamaica in October

 

National Heroes Day is celebrated on the third Monday in October. It commemorates Jamaican seven national heroes.

One of those heroes is a woman named Nanny, who appears on our Jamaican $500 bill.

 

Fruits and Foods in Season in Jamaica in October

 

There is always some fruit in season in Jamaica.

Betcha never heard of some of these!

Be sure to try some of these exotic goodies while you are in Jamaica. They will certainly taste better there than if you try to source them overseas.

 

June Plum

This fruit surrounds a spiky fibrous core. The sweet, tart juicy fruit is worth maneuvering around the spikes.

Most people eat it ripe; but, it also eaten green, usually sprinkled with salt.

These delicious fruits are usually in season from October to December.

 

June plum

 

 

Ackee

Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica. Many people think ackee and saltfish is the national dish. It is actually the unofficial national dish. There isn’t actually a national dish.

Ackee can be found year round but the season is from September to December.

 

Ackee

 

 

Avocado

Jamaicans refer to “avocado” as “pear” and they eat pear with almost everything, even bread! No, guacamole is not common in Jamaica. That’s Mexico.

Avocados are in season between September and December.

 

Jamaicans love avocado

 

Soursop

Jamaicans use this to make a very refreshing drink. Many believe that it helps to soothe the nerves and also with high blood pressure.

It is very rich in Vitamin C. Some believe that it has cancer-fighting capabilities; however, that has not been proven.

Soursop is most abundant in July to November.

 

Soursop - a strange looking fruit

 

Sweet sop

Sweet sop has black seeds covered with white flesh; but, that’s where the similarity to soursop ends.

Sweet sop softens as it ripens at which point it is easily broken to reveal the flesh. This fruit can be relied on to be sweet while soursop is usually slightly tart.

Sweet sop has a custard-like texture but is not as grainy as custard apples.

Fruits bear in April to July as well as August to October.

 

Jamaican Fruits: Sweet sop

 

 

 Plums

Jamaican plums, are often either yellow or red in color. There is a firm, stony seed around which is a soft pulp. The skin is eaten as well. They are often sold in bags at the side of the road.

Plums are generally in season from August to October.

 

Jamaican plums

 

 

Lobster Season in Jamaica

Lobster in Jamaica

 

Lobster season is open from July 1st to March 30th of the following year.

Officially, lobster season is closed between April 1 and June 30th each year. The Fisheries Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries can change the end date to close the season, but so far we haven’t heard anything about that.

 

Conch Season in Jamaica

Conch season is closed in October! The season is closed from August 1st to February 28th the following year.

 

 

Weather in Jamaica in October

 

We all want perfect weather conditions on our vacations. The reality is that nature has its own agenda. Here is a guide as to historical weather conditions in the Discovery Bay – Braco area during October in Jamaica.

 

Sunshine

On average, there are 3002 hours of sunshine per year in Jamaica out of a possible 4383 hours. The sunniest months are January through April, as well as July and August.

Average amount of bright sunshine per day in October: 6 hrs

Average amount of daylight per day in October: ~12hrs

 

Sunrise & Sunset

Sunrise: between 6:00 and 6:09 am

Sunset: between 5:37 and 5:58 pm

 

Temperature

Northeasterly trade winds keep the coastal areas cool with island temperatures averaging around 71-88°F year round. Nevertheless, there aren’t wide variations in temperature across the island.

Temperatures do tend to be lower in the mountainous areas such as in the Blue Mountains. Temperatures decrease by about 1°F for every 300ft increase in elevation. The plains such as in Kingston and the more flat and arid southern areas of the island, such as Clarendon, Manchester and St. Elizabeth, are hotter.

The warmest months in Jamaica are July and August with average maximum daytime temperature of about 89-90°F. The coolest months are December through February with maximum temperatures of about 84.

Average maximum daytime temperature in Discovery Bay – Braco area in Jamaica in October is about 84°F/29°C. Average minimum temperature is around 70°F/21°C.

 

Average-Temperature-in-Discovery-Bay-Jamaica

 

Rain

How much rain can you expect? It varies.

Traditionally, the rainy periods are April and May/June and again October to November/December. June and July are generally the driest months. February and March are also traditionally dry months too. This pattern does vary from year to year with much more variability noted in recent years.

The amount of rainfall and the frequency of showers or days of rain can vary quite a bit in Jamaica, even in nearby towns. For example, there could be significant rainfall in the town of Discovery Bay with hardly a raindrop in our area, five minutes drive away.

In general, the more north-easterly sections of Jamaica get the most rain. These areas would represent areas east of Ocho Rios and on into Portland, where rainfall averages can be significant.

Rain in Jamaica often is at night or early mornings. Sometimes, rain comes on during the daytime in short quick spurts only to disappear just as quickly as it came. In the rainy period, there can be several consecutive days of rain.

On average, there are about 16 days with some rainfall, defined as any rain at all, during the month of October. 

Average monthly rainfall for the month of October is 8.1 inches. Discovery Bay area gets less rain than Ocho Rios.

 

Average rainfall Discovery Bay Jamaica

 

If there are heavy rains, on-river activities, such as river rafting, might be canceled due to high water levels or rapid rivers. Water clarity could also be affected depending on how much rain occurred in the mountains.

 

Sea water temperature

The sea is warmest during July through October. Average sea water temperature in Discovery Bay in October is about 84°F/29°C.

 

Average sea water temperature in Discovery Bay Jamaica

 

Risk of hurricane

Hurricane season is June 1 – November 30.

So yes, October is in hurricane season in Jamaica; however, tropical storm risk for the month of October is, historically, less than 1%.

Be sure to get trip insurance when you travel, especially internationally. This is particularly true during hurricane season.

 

 

Is October high or low season?

 

October is low season, which runs from April 15 – December 15th. Hotel rates may be lower than during high season. See our blog post – 8 Reasons You Should Visit Jamaica in the Off Season.

 

What are the tourist crowds like in Jamaica in October?

 

October is traditionally a slow month for arrivals at Montego Bay Airport.  September, October, and November see the fewest number of arrivals every year. Hint, those are great months to snag deals!

 

Busiest Months for Arrivals at Montego Bay’s airport in Jamaica

 

What to wear in Jamaica in October?

 

Remember, Jamaica is Summer year-round. You have more to worry about with tour buses that crank up the air-conditioning than cold weather in Jamaica.

I usually wear a light jacket of some sort on the flight down so that I will have it with me just in case I need it one evening – or on a tour bus!

Read our article about how to pack for your Jamaica vacation to get more tips.

 

Where in Jamaica should you stay for your vacation?

 

There are six (6) established tourist regions – Ocho Rios (which includes Discovery Bay, Montego Bay, Negril, South Coast, Kingston, and Portland. Each area has its own flavor. 

Read our blog post on how to decide where to stay in Jamaica for a description of the various tourist regions on the island.

If you are looking for a family-friendly location, read our post about why a stay in Discovery Bay might be right for you. 

 

 

Which property to choose for your stay in Jamaica?

 

Always stay at a property that is licensed by the Tourist Board. This ensures that the property meets the standards for health and safety. 

Pick a villa or resort that is loaded with amenities so that you won’t be bored and you can spend more of your vacation relaxing, unwinding, and getting to know your travel partners.

If you are traveling as a group, consider a stay at a villa, such as Mais Oui Villa in Discovery Bay, a much better option than a resort to socially-distance from strangers.

With 8 bedrooms, Mais Oui is perfect for families and groups. Amenities galore. Great central location to allow you to explore all that Jamaica has to offer.

 

If you love our house (Mais Oui Villa) and want to stay with us, here is the link to our own website to book directly with us: https://MakeItJamaica.com

 

If for whatever reason you wish to book through an online agency, here are the links to our listings. They will charge you a fee, but if you don’t mind, and it makes you feel better, even safer, then, by all means, go ahead and book through them. We prefer for you to book through them than to not book at all.

VRBO   

AirBnB   

TripAdvisor

 

 

Which attractions are open in Jamaica?

 

There are tons of things to do in Jamaica. The options depend on what your interests are. 

Here are two popular ones to get you started.

 

1.Puerto Seco Beach in Discovery Bay

 

Puerto Seco Beach Park , Discovery Bay, Jamaica

 

 

2. Green Grotto Caves in Runaway Bay

Green Grotto Caves and Attractions, Jamaica

 

 

Visit our Things to Do in Jamaica page for more ideas.

 

What’s happening in Jamaica in October?

 

Take note:  Most Jamaica events calendars are woefully inaccurate. This is even more true as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many popular websites still list events that have long been abandoned or happened in the distant past. Outdated websites and inactive Facebook pages are not uncommon. 

Please double-check all these activities before you plan your vacation.

 

Typical Annual Events in Jamaica in October

 

Running Events in Jamaica

Website: http://www.runningeventsja.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunningEventsJa/

 

Carnival of Speed

Want to see a car race? It’s not Nascar, but, it’s pretty cool. Jamaica Race Drivers Club puts on exciting races on Heroes Day 

Date: Usually on Heroe’s Day, the third Monday in October

Location: Dover Raceway is on the way to Browns Town, about 20 minutes or so from Discovery Bay

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DoverRaceway/

 

Jamaica Food & Drink Festival

Five days of culinary exploration of fine food and spirits in Kingston.

Date: Generally late October. 

Location: multiple locations in Kingston

Website: http://jafoodanddrink.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JAFoodAndDrink/

Phone: 876-924-6000

 

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest has been held annually for over 30 years showcasing a wide variety of German beers, wines, and Schnapps.

Date:  Usually held during the 1st week of October (The date will be announced on their Facebook page.)

Location:  Kingston

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamaicanGermanSociety/

Phone:  876-925-1052

 

Port Antonio International Fishing Tournament

Started in 1954, this is one of the oldest and most prestigious sport fishing events in the Caribbean.

This is an environmentally friendly catch, tag, and release competition for the largest fish

Date: Generally late October

Location  Port Antonio Marina, Portland

Website:  www.jamaicasportsfishing.com

Phone: 876-927-0145

 

Ocean Style Fashion Showcase Weekend

A weekend of fashion, celebrity sightings, and two golf tournaments. Anthony Anderson and George Lopez, among others, have been regulars!

Date: Generally late October

Location: Rosehall, Montego Bay

Website: http://www.myoceanstyle.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oceanstylemagazine/timeline

Tel: 305-731-2169

 

Dramafest

Dramafest is an annual drama festival held over a weekend with a different production each night.

Date: Generally late October

Location: Phoenix Theatre, 8 Haining Road, Kingston

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/freedomministryja

 

Does Jamaica celebrate Halloween?

Halloween is not celebrated in Jamaica; however, many resorts have Halloween parties.

Read our blog post about Halloween in Jamaica.

 

Have you been to Jamaica in October? Did we miss something? Do you know of an event in Jamaica in October that we should include? Let us know so that we may update the post.

 

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

 

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‘Til next time.

Think and dream Jamaica!

Sherry, Darrell, and Darrian

Considering a visit to Jamaica with a group? Contact us today for more information about, Mais Oui Tennis & Spa Villa, our boutique 8-BR ocean view Jamaica villa rental experience in beautiful Discovery Bay, Jamaica. Perfect for multi-generational families and groups, retreats, and intimate destination weddings and vow renewals.

Visit our website: https://MakeItJamaica.com

Give us a call: 833.624.7684 (toll-free) or 914.709.0457

Like us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/MakeItJamaica

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About the Author Sherry

Sherry & Darrell, owners of Mais Oui Tennis & Spa Villa in Discovery Bay, Jamaica, consider themselves unofficial ambassadors for Jamaica. They look forward to using their insider knowledge to help guests create priceless vacation memories. Feel free to say hi!

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About the Author Sherry

Sherry & Darrell, owners of Mais Oui Tennis & Spa Villa in Discovery Bay, Jamaica, consider themselves unofficial ambassadors for Jamaica. They look forward to using their insider knowledge to help guests create priceless vacation memories. Feel free to say hi!