By Ategie Edwards

September 30 saw the release of the much anticipated film, No Time to Die, from the critically acclaimed James Bond franchise. As has become customary, parts of the film were shot in the island of wood and water – Jamaica.

James Bond is the brainchild of Ian Fleming, the famed writer who spent winters in Jamaica and wrote about a dozen of his novels about the beloved British spy. ontributing to the film being so intertwined with the island.

Variety magazine has listed several locations to visit for the ultimate James Bond experience right here in Jamaica. So, if you are a James Bond fanatic, here are some must-see locations in the island that you ought to visit.

Boundbrook Wharf (No Time to Die)

Boundbrook wharf is an old banana-loading wharf situated behind the old railway that is now the
Portland Art Gallery. This location was used to shoot a nighttime scene with intense action in the
most recent film of the James Bond franchise.

Ken Jones Aerodrome (Dr No)

The Ken Jones Aerodrome located just outside of Port Antonio contains small structures and a single runway. This location can be seen in the opening scenes of Dr No. The Ken Jones aerodrome caters to a handful of tourists within the area.

Coco-Walk (No Time to Die)

Located on the coast of San San Bay in Port Antonio, Coco-Walk saw retired Bond residing in his waterfront cabin early in No Time To Die. This private beach can be found after descending a long wooden staircase from high atop a cliff.

Market Square (No Time to Die)

If you looked over Craig’s shoulder after they leave the nightclub you would have spotted Piggy’s Jerk Centre in the background. Piggy’s Jerk Centre located in Market Square is a popular restaurant that is frequently visited by Daniel Craig and the film’s cast and crew. The area known, as Market Place, located in Port Antonio, also saw an exterior driving scene that was shot in the recent film.

Cocosan Villa (No Time To Die)

The Cocosan Villa, located in Port Antonio, saw Daniel Craig in the luxurious six-bedroom villa for just about two weeks. The villa has seen its share of celebrity guests including music legends, Jay-Z and Beyoncé.

Laughing Waters (Dr No)

An unforgettable moment and very iconic scene was shot on the very shores of Laughing Water located in Ocho Rios, St Ann. Owned by the Jamaican Government, Laughing Waters is a beautiful private beach with beautiful waterfalls and very soft sand.

Moon Palace Resort (Dr No)

Although the resort is not actually featured in any James Bond film, it has still aided the franchise. The all-inclusive resort was used as a landing ground to transport the cast and crew of Dr No. The ruins of the authentic helipad can be found just beyond the resort furthermost poolside bar.

Jamaica Swamp Safari Village (Live and Let Die)

The eighth film of the James Bond franchise, released in 1973, Live and Let Die sees Bond being captured and taken to a distant getaway on Louisiana’s crocodile farm. Ross Kananga, the initial owner and operator of the wildlife sanctuary, performed the stunt where Bond ran across the backs of the snapping crocodiles. Kananga was the inspiration behind the movie’s main villain.

Cinnamon Hill Golf Course (Live and Let Die)

On this location, Bond crosses paths with Baron Samedi, lurking in a graveyard. This graveyard shot was actually the Cinnamon Hill Golf Course in Montego Bay. In reality, there are actually several graves situated through the golf course.

Green Grotto Caves (Live and Let Die)

The famous Green Grotto Caves located on the north coast of Jamaica was used as Dr Kananga’s secret lair. Tourists and families on vacation usually visit this attraction surrounded by thick vegetation and supplied with beautiful waters flowing from unbeknownst depths.

Couples Sans Souci Resort (Live and Let Die)

The Couples San Souci Resort was one of the locations used for James Bond’s beach side hotel in 1973’s Live or Let Die. Located in Ocho Rios, the hotel has dedicated its D20 suite to James Bond actor, Roger Moore himself, who resided at the resort during filming.

Ian Fleming’s Goldeneye

Though creator Ian Fleming never actually stated his spy’s birthplace in any novel, each of the original books was penned at the writer’s Goldeneye estate, located in Oracabessa, St Mary, between 1952 and 1964. This has led many to believe this is where the idea of James Bond was first formed. Years after Fleming’s death in 1964, reggae legend Bob Marley bought the property in 1976 but sold it to English businessman and former record producer Chris Blackwell a year later. Blackwell would open its doors as a resort in the 1980s.

Noël Coward’s Firefly

Coward purchased a house on the island which he called the Blue Harbour. He came across a piece of land overlooking the island’s scenic north coast belonging to Fleming’s mistress, Blanche Blackwell. Fascinated by the features of the land, including the fireflies, he purchased the land from Blackwell.

James Bond Beach

If you are a Jamaican, it is highly likely that you have visited the very popular James Bond Beach, located in St Mary. Vintage movie posters for You Only Live Twice and Diamonds Are Forever can be seen at the entrance of the beach. The James Bond Cocktail can be purchased at the bar.

Jamaica Inn

Nestled in Ocho Rios, Jamaica Inn is one the most intimate resorts on the island. A number of celebrity royals have stayed at the resort over the years including Katherine Hepburn, Errol Flynn, and Marilyn Monroe. Fleming’s Dr No even mentions Jamaica Inn’s bar as one of the best places to absorb spirts on the island.