Work has begun on a JA$1bn (US$11.2m, £7m, 7.6m euro) marine theme park Hanover, Jamaica.

Dolphin Cove Limited broke ground on its JA$500m (US$5.6m, £3.5m, 3.8m euro) first phase of the project on Sunday (20 September).

The 20-acre park will located between Montego Bay and Negril, and will boast interactive dolphin tours, a lazy river, an ecological mangrove tour, crocodiles and camel riding.

It is hoped that the park will give the area a much-needed tourism boost. Dolphin Cove’s managing director was quoted in the Jamaica Observer as saying: “Montego Bay and the western region have always needed a marquee attraction.

“The cruise ships berthing in Montego Bay have been sending their passengers to Ochos Rios and the hotel guests in Negril have had to spend six hours on a bus to travel to Ochos Rios and return. This first-class attraction will enhance the western Jamaica destination.”

The first phase of the project is scheduled to open in eight months’ time.