BLOODY BAY

North of Negril, Bloody Bay marks the geographical beginning of the seaside resort of Negril. In the 18th century, this bay, well protected from the swell and sea currents, was one of the favorite haunts of pirates based in Jamaica. They could watch for Spanish galleons sailing between Spain and its colonies, Hispaniola and Cuba, before attacking them to plunder them and extort copious colonial spoils. But the English authorities kept a close eye on the situation. In 1720, the English army captured the pirate Jack Rackam, called Calico Jack because he had the habit of wearing Indian underwear, with his crew on the beach at Bloody Bay. The prisoners were transferred to Spanish Town for trial. It was during the trial that it was discovered that two of her acolytes were wearing petticoats. The two female pirates were identified, Anne Bonny and Mary Read, and executed with their captain.

The whalers also used to stop in the cove. After unloading their cargo of freshly caught whales, the sinister sailors would butcher their prey in peace. The blood regularly reddened the calm waters of the cove. It is from this practice that the bloody bay inherited its name, and not from a bloody fight between pirates and settlers as one might think! Today two large luxury resorts occupy the bay, the Riu Palace Tropical Bay and the Couples Negril.