While James Bond is the quintessential British spy, his true origins lie in the tropical landscape of Jamaica. For over two decades, Ian Fleming used the island as his annual creative sanctuary, transforming his experiences as a naval intelligence officer into the world’s most enduring espionage franchise.
The Writing of a Legend at GoldenEye
In 1946, Fleming purchased 15 acres of land in Oracabessa, Saint Mary Parish, which had previously served as a donkey racetrack. He designed a modest villa and named it
GoldenEye, a tribute to a clandestine World War II naval operation he had overseen. Starting with Casino Royale in 1952, Fleming wrote all 14 of his James Bond novels and short stories at GoldenEye during his annual winter retreats. The island’s influence saturated the series; the very name “James Bond” was lifted from the author of Birds of the West Indies, an ornithologist whose field guide sat on Fleming’s desk.
Jamaica on Screen: From Dr. No – No Time to Die
Jamaica has served as a primary backdrop for the cinematic Bond since the beginning:
- Dr. No (1962): The first Bond film was shot extensively on the island. Iconic locations include Laughing Waters Beach, where Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress) famously emerged from the sea, and the Reynolds Bauxite Pier, which served as the villain’s lair.
- Live and Let Die (1973): Roger Moore’s debut featured the Green Grotto Caves as a secret base and the Jamaica Swamp Safari Village in Falmouth for the famous crocodile-run stunt.
- No Time to Die (2021): The 25th film brought the character full circle, showing a retired Bond living in a waterfront cabin at Coco Walk in Port Antonio.
A Lasting Legacy
Today, Jamaica honors this connection through the Ian Fleming International Airport (OCJ) in Boscobel. Renamed in 2011 from the Boscobel Aerodrome, the airport serves as a “boutique gateway” to the north coast, located just five kilometers from the GoldenEye estate.
The original GoldenEye estate has been transformed into a luxury resort by Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, allowing guests to stay in the same villa where the world’s most famous spy was born. Fans can also visit
James Bond Beach in Oracabessa, where Fleming reportedly enjoyed swimming.
