Discovery Bay, Jamaica

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Discovery Bay is a town in Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica. It was named Puerto Seco (Dry Harbor) by Christopher Columbus because, unlike the neighboring Rio Bueno, there are no permanent rivers flowing into it. However, groundwater does enter the bay through deep cracks in the basement limestone, especially on the fault line that runs through the ship channel and on the western side. The salinities of the submerged springs are greater than 20‰, yet they cause a marked stratification in temperature and salinity in the shallow western back reef.

Discovery Bay is also know locally as Dry Harbour Bay, because it sits in the shade of the Dry Harbour Mountain in St. Ann. There is a dispute as to whether Christopher Columbus first landed in Discovery Bay or Seville (east of Discovery Bay) in 1494. "Discovery Bay" has several historic sites in its vicinity. These include Green Grotto Caves which has won Green Globe Award and Columbus Park. There is the nearby Puerto Seco Beach. The town is also know as Dry Harbour Bay, because it sits in the shade of the Dry Harbour Mountain in St. Ann.

Discovery Bay's economy is dependent upon Tourism and Bauxite. To the west of the bay is a port from which the St. Ann Bauxite Company exports the ore. The St. Ann Bauxite company was formerly named Kaiser Jamaica Bauxite Co. (KJBC), and was jointly owned by Kaiser Aluminum and the Government of Jamaica. St. Ann Bauxite Company employs 450 people.

Discovery Bay's population at 2,700 people. The majority of the residents are African-Jamaicans. The original Taino Arawak residents did not survive the Spanish conquest in the 15th Century. Visitors to the Green Grotto Caves can see some relics of their lifestyle there. It is said that many Spaniards escaped the English invasion 1655 through secrect passages through the Green Grotto caves with the help of Arawaks and African slaves in exchange for their freedom.