Jamaica / Special Interests / Beach

By virtue of its size, Jamaica is blessed with a myriad of beaches and many hotels, restaurants, bars and watersports right on the sand. Whether you’re looking for a safe beach with lifeguards, somewhere to catch a wave or a secluded romantic beach, Jamaica has a wide variety of beaches to suit everyone. On some beaches there is a party atmosphere with loud reggae music and jerk chicken at the ready, whilst other beaches are perfectly serene.

There are top Jamaican beaches in or near all the major resort towns. Montego Bay is home to some of the most famous beaches in Jamaica including Doctor’s Cave Beach where you’ll find some of the big resorts. It can get crowded in high season and there is almost permanently a party vibe popular with young travellers.  To the north-east around Rose Hall there are a number of smart, large beachfront resorts with their own golf courses including Half Moon  which also has villas, Ritz-Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Iberostar Rose Hall Beach & Spa, Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa, plus smaller resorts like Coyaba Beach Resort.   Heading south-west of Montego Bay,  the resorts of Round Hill Hotel & Villas and Tryall Golf & Beach Club, also feature private villa rentals.

Negril on the south-west tip of Jamaica is a favourite destination for families and couples with its towering cliffs and bustling beaches, home to many world-class all-inclusive resorts as well as nightlife hotspots.  Negril Beach (or Seven Mile Beach) is the longest on Jamaica  with a range of properties from Couples Swept Away, to Moon Dance Villas, Sunset on the Beach, Country Country Beach Cottages and Sandals Negril Beach Resort  Head to Bloody Bay Beach to the north of town if you want something slightly quieter.  There do still exist small hideaways like Cousin’s Cove, a small inlet along the Hanover coastline.   Down on the south coast, a slightly more rustic experience can be had around Treasure Beach, which is home to Jake’s. 

Even in Kingston there are great beaches relatively near the city, with Lime Cay accessible by a short boat trip from Port Royal. Hellshire Beach and Fort Clarence are the closest ones to the Portmore area and Fort Clarence is famous for its reggae concerts.   

Ocho Rios on the north coast is known as the centrepiece of Jamaica for its long beaches and all-inclusive resorts. The long, crescent-shaped Turtle Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Jamaica. There’s much here for families, honeymooners and watersports enthusiasts. If you want something more secluded try the Royal Plantation or Jamaica Inn east of town.  Head further up to Oracabessa for James Bond Beach and nearby Goldeneye. To the west, Runaway Bay is most famous for its scuba diving but the town also has some good beaches mostly owned by resorts but the Cardiff Hall Public Beach is free for all.  There are also some excellent holiday villas with swimming pools and their own private beaches in nearby Discovery Bay. 

In the northeast, the area around Port Antonio is known for its stunning natural beauty and sleepy atmosphere.  Just off the famous Blue Lagoon a couple of the extremely photogenic, waterfront holiday homes are for rent. Frenchman’s Cove and San San Beach are some of the most charming beaches in Jamaica, with a choice of smaller hotels, guest houses, villas and cottages within the vicinity, including Goblin Hill. Boston Beach is the place to go for authentic Jamaican jerk food.