24 April 2025
From the glint of a golden gun to the whisper of ocean waves against white sands, the Caribbean has played a seductive supporting role in the world of James Bond. Across decades of suave espionage and high-octane action, 007 has returned time and again to these sun-drenched islands—not just for the drama, but for the beauty, the glamour, and the irresistible allure of paradise.
Jamaica: The Spiritual Home of Bond
No Caribbean location is more intertwined with Bond than Jamaica. It was here that Ian Fleming penned all 14 of his Bond novels at Goldeneye, his private estate in Oracabessa Bay. Jamaica didn’t just inspire Bond’s spirit—it became the actual backdrop for several films:
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Dr. No (1962): The very first Bond film, introducing Sean Connery as 007, was filmed in and around Kingston, Port Royal, and the now-iconic Laughing Waters Beach, where Ursula Andress emerged from the sea as Honey Ryder. It was a cinematic birth soaked in Jamaican sunshine.
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Live and Let Die (1973): Roger Moore’s first outing as Bond brought him back to the island, showcasing the lush beauty of the Green Grotto Caves and Montego Bay. The film fused voodoo mystique with Caribbean rhythm.
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No Time To Die (2021): Daniel Craig’s final performance returned Bond to where it all began. The film features Bond in retirement in Jamaica—mirroring Ian Fleming’s own retreat. The house used for filming was built specially for the production and remains a modern homage to Goldeneye.
The Bahamas: Glamour, Casinos, and Danger
The Bahamas is practically Bond’s second Caribbean love affair—its turquoise waters and glitzy settings made it ideal for underwater battles and casino intrigue.
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Thunderball (1965): Shot extensively in Nassau and on the nearby island of New Providence, this film became famous for its cutting-edge underwater action sequences. The Bond Beach and the now-famous Thunderball Grotto remain pilgrimage spots for fans.
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Never Say Never Again (1983): Sean Connery returned as Bond in this unofficial remake of Thunderball, also filmed in the Bahamas, reaffirming the location’s Bond pedigree.
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Casino Royale (2006): Daniel Craig’s debut had him gambling in the Bahamas’ One & Only Ocean Club, chasing villains through Paradise Island in high style.
Cuba (and its Caribbean Cousin)
Though Cuba itself wasn’t always accessible due to political restrictions, Bond’s producers managed to bring its essence to life—sometimes with a twist.
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Die Another Day (2002): Pierce Brosnan’s Bond visits Havana—but the scenes were actually filmed in Cádiz, Spain, standing in for Cuba. However, the energy, music, and vibrancy were unmistakably Caribbean.
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No Time To Die (2021): While the film features a memorable mission in Santiago de Cuba (complete with Ana de Armas in a show-stopping action sequence), it was filmed in Pinewood Studios and Jamaica, expertly recreating the Cuban look.
Other Caribbean Cameos
While Jamaica and the Bahamas steal the show, other islands have flirted with Bond’s camera:
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Puerto Rico: Parts of GoldenEye (1995), which introduced Pierce Brosnan, were filmed at Arecibo Observatory, one of the world’s largest radio telescopes. It was the perfect setting for the villain’s dramatic finale.
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Barbados & St. Lucia: Though not featured in the official film canon, both islands have hosted Bond-themed commercial shoots, photo campaigns, and are often rumoured as locations for future installments.
Bond’s Enduring Love Affair with the Caribbean
The Caribbean isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a character in itself. It offers danger and desire, mystique and magnificence. For James Bond, the region is a timeless rendezvous—a place where martinis are colder, sunsets sharper, and danger, like the tide, rolls in when you least expect it.
Whether it’s the thrill of a speedboat chase through Bahamian cays or the slow burn of a romance under Jamaican stars, one thing is certain: the Caribbean is forever Bond.
