Dipping into the Caribbean Sea, the shoreline of Jamaica is as numerous as it’s gorgeous, drawing in everybody from sunseekers on the lookout for a spot to bronze to adventurers on the lookout for a vibrant escape.
Although Jamaica's tradition usually takes the highlight, its seashores maintain their very own, with crystal-clear surf and a number of the most interesting stretches of sand within the Caribbean.
A lot of the island's famend seashores could be discovered alongside the north and west coasts, particularly round Negril, Montego Bay, and Ocho Rios, however the south coast gives secluded spots which might be excellent for unwinding.
Whereas some seashores belong to inns, many are open to the general public, generally with a small entry payment, so it's straightforward to expertise the island's pure magnificence with out problem.
Right here's a information to one of the best seashores in Jamaica.
1. Seven Mile Seashore
Finest seaside for sundown views and snorkeling
Seven Mile Seashore, also referred to as Negril Seashore, is certainly one of Jamaica's hottest stretches of sand.
Well-known for its clear turquoise waters and considerable marine life, this seaside gives prime snorkeling, with coral reefs scattered alongside its size — significantly across the southern finish and close to the cliffs to the west.
Regardless of the title, the seaside really spans simply over 4 miles, working from Bloody Bay within the north to Lengthy Bay within the south. Alongside the shoreline, you'll discover dozens of beachfront resorts, bars and eating places.
For unbeatable sundown views, head to the seaside's western edge, the place the clifftop supplies an elevated perch for watching Negril's breathtaking sunsets.
Native tip: With so many resorts alongside the seaside, it may be tough to seek out free entry factors to the sand. There's one between Drifter's Bar and Merrils Seashore Resorts and one other throughout from the Dawn Membership. Search for the small yellow indicators that learn “Negril Seashore Entry Level” alongside Norman Manley Blvd.
2. Frenchman's Cove
Finest for images fans
A real gem nestled in Port Antonio, Frenchman's Cove is a small however picturesque seaside the place a freshwater river meets the ocean.
With its white sand surrounded by lush greenery, this secluded seaside has fairly a film pedigree, that includes in movies equivalent to Lord of the Flies (1990) and Knight and Day (2010).
The seaside is framed by verdant greenery on each side, making a picturesque pure crescent that's excellent for images. One other widespread Instagram spot is on the swing above the river part.
Planning tip: As of December 2024, there's an entry payment of JMD$2,500 (USD$25) for guests who aren't staying on the Frenchman's Cove Resort. The seaside is open from 9am to 5pm, and customers are barred from bringing their very own meals or drinks.
3. Ocho Rios Bay Seashore (Turtle Seashore)
Finest seaside for actions and facilities
Ocho Rios Bay Seashore, generally generally known as Turtle Seashore, is the principle seaside in Ocho Rios, stretching for some 500m alongside Jamaica's north coast.
It's a well-liked spot for resort friends, day trippers and cruise passengers, due to its proximity to the Ocho Rios cruise port (only a five-minute stroll away).
You may get pleasure from water sports activities within the bay, and the seaside is well-equipped with facilities, together with seaside chairs and umbrella leases.
Standard eating places Ocho Rios eating places equivalent to Miss T's Kitchen, Margaritaville and Ocho Rios Jerk Heart are inside strolling distance, together with buying malls and quick meals joints.
Detour: For souvenirs and Jamaican craft gadgets, go to the Ocho Rios Craft Market – a few 10-minute stroll from the seaside.
4. Mahogany Seashore
Finest seaside to relax and seize a beer
An entry payment of round JMD$500 (US$10 for vacationers) provides guests entry to altering areas, a seaside chair, and a nice curve of sand at Mahogany Seashore in Ocho Rios.
The seaside is small in comparison with others on the town, and fills up rapidly with locals — many coming from out of city simply to calm down on the seaside with mates.
In the event you crave refreshment, the Mahagony Seashore Bar & Grill restaurant is shut at hand. Along with the seaside, there's additionally a freshwater river the place you’ll be able to calm down in a bamboo chair or go rafting to unwind.
5. Physician's Cave Seashore
Finest seaside for swimming
Physician's Cave Seashore in Montego Bay is known for its calm, clear waters, making it a best choice for swimmers. Identified for its mild waves and clean, mushy sand, the seaside is ideal for a leisurely dip.
The seaside's location in a sheltered cove helps keep the calm circumstances, whereas the pristine water is usually described as “therapeutic” – a repute relationship again to the Twenties when British osteopath Sir Herbert Barker praised its therapeutic properties.
Planning tip: For an entry payment of round JMD$1,100 (US$8), you’ll be able to entry the seaside, hire lounge chairs, and benefit from the beachside eating places.
6. Maiden Cay
Finest seaside for weekend events
Maiden Cay, situated off the coast of Kingston, is the last word seaside vacation spot for these trying to social gathering on the weekend. Each Sunday, Free Cannon Excursions hosts a broadly widespread all-inclusive Seashore Day, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from meals, drinks, and music whereas absorbing the solar.
This uninhabited island is only a quick 20-minute boat journey from the mainland close to Port Royal, making it a really perfect getaway for weekend revelers.
Planning tip: Ebook tickets forward – early birds pay JMD$13,000 (US$85), in comparison with JMD$14,000 (US$95) at quick discover.
7. Winnifred Seashore
Finest free seaside
Winnifred Seashore, situated in Portland, is certainly one of Jamaica's final remaining free seashores, providing a captivating and distinctly native ambiance.
Nonetheless, whereas there's no official payment to go to, locals who keep the seaside might request a small donation to assist protect it.
The seaside options calm, shallow waters, and it's a well-liked chill-out spot for residents of Portland. Guests can get pleasure from scrumptious choices from native distributors, together with seafood, jerk hen and chilly drinks. The seaside additionally has showers and altering rooms.
8. Boston Bay Seashore
Finest seaside for browsing
Whereas there isn't a giant browsing tradition in Jamaica, Boston Bay Seashore, situated close to Port Antonio, is the island's premier browsing vacation spot, attracting professional surfers who could be seen using the constant waves right here all through the day.
There's an entry payment of round JMD$500 (US$3), and guests can hire surfboards and even take classes from the professionals on the seaside.
The waves sometimes vary from three to 6 toes, and the breaks are appropriate for each newbie and superior surfers.
Planning tip: One of the best time to surf at Boston Bay Seashore is throughout the winter months (November to April) when the waves are at their most constant and highly effective. Early mornings or late afternoons are perfect for catching the swell.
9. Puerto Seco Seashore
Finest seaside for households
Puerto Seco Seashore in Saint Ann is the last word vacation spot for a fun-filled household seaside day. With an aqua park, swimming pool, and numerous water sports activities like seaside volleyball and jet skis, there's one thing for everybody.
The seaside additionally gives facilities equivalent to seaside chairs, VIP cabanas and free Wi-Fi, and households can cease for a meal on the restaurant and bar or store for souvenirs on the present store.
Planning tip: There's a payment of round JMD$2,500 (US$20) for the facilities, so take into account a full-day journey to profit from it. Weekdays are typically quieter than weekends, excellent for households.
10. Parottee Seashore
Finest secluded seaside
Situated a number of miles south of Black River, Parottee Seashore options darkish sand sprinkled with shells going through a pristine stretch of ocean.
The calm, clear waters make it ideally suited for swimming, and the seaside isn't near any main vacationer cities or points of interest – excluding Floyd's Pelican Bar which sits out within the bay.
The seaside is principally utilized by fishermen from native communities; Residents sometimes go to to swim however there's not often a crowd.
11. Fisherman's Seashore
Finest seaside for recent seafood
Fisherman's Seashore in Ocho Rios will not be the highest spot for swimming, however it's undoubtedly one of the best place on the town for recent seafood.
Situated simply past the Ocho Rios Fishing Village, the seaside is surrounded by a number of the city's greatest seafood eateries, together with Lobster Dave and Whalers.
Each eating places serve up the freshest catches, sourced immediately from the fishermen working proper on the seaside.
When you eat, you’ll be able to get pleasure from views of colourful fishing boats on the shore and fishermen heading out to sea. In the event you're staying someplace with cooking amenities, you too can buy recent seafood immediately from the boats to take dwelling.
Detour: After a seaside day, take a brief drive to close by Dunn's River Falls – a must-see pure attraction the place you’ll be able to climb and splash on the terraces of a scenic cascade.
12. Bamboo Seashore Membership
Finest seaside for a full of life ambiance
Situated on the north coast in Falmouth, Bamboo Seashore Membership has a full of life ambiance that's ideally suited for these in search of a vibrant seaside day.
For an entry payment of round JMD$2,000 (US$15), guests can get pleasure from mushy golden sand, a full of life music scene and spontaneous dance events hosted by energetic workers.
The seaside additionally hosts common events and occasions, and there's a restaurant and bar, a memento store, free Wi-Fi, cabanas for hire, an official photographer and beachside masseurs. If you wish to discover the underwater world, hire some snorkeling gear.
Planning tip: It's straightforward to rearrange transportation should you're staying in Falmouth, and there's a seaside bus that transfers guests from Montego Bay, Kingston and Ocho Rios.
13. Lime Cay
Finest seaside close to Kingston
Many guests are stunned to find that Kingston, Jamaica's capital metropolis, doesn't have its personal seaside.
Nonetheless, only a quick boat journey away lies Lime Cay, a tiny, uninhabited island off the coast of Port Royal, circled by white sand and fantastically clear waters.
Throughout the week, Lime Cay doesn't get many guests – you'll seemingly have the island all to your self should you come to swim or sunbathe.
Y-Knot Bar & Grill in Port Royal gives boat journeys to Lime Cay for JMD$2,500 (US$20), and native fishermen from Port Royal additionally supply transfers.
Planning tip: Whereas weekdays are peaceable at Lime Cay, weekends (particularly Sundays) deliver a livelier vibe, with widespread boat events attended by each locals and vacationers.
14. Hellshire Seashore
Finest seaside to mingle with locals
Hellshire Seashore, situated in Portmore, is the most-popular seaside for Jamaicans within the Kingston space, due to its handy location and full of life vibe. It's additionally recognized for its scrumptious seafood, together with fish, lobster, shrimp, and oysters.
You gained't discover vacationers right here too usually. Hellshire is a snapshot of what genuine Jamaican seaside life is actually like — individuals consuming, consuming, smoking, having fun with music, taking part in soccer on the sand or taking part in dominos at beachside eating places.
On weekends, the seaside is livelier, with households, music and many distributors.
Native tip: Sharks are generally noticed offshore at night time, so keep away from night time swimming. Persist with daytime visits and needless to say the seaside is packed on native holidays.
15. Treasure Seashore
Finest off the crushed path seaside
An off-the-beaten-path vacation spot alongside Jamaica's south coast, Treasure Seashore is made up of 5 secluded coves, lined with darkish sand. Calabash Bay, dwelling to Jakes Lodge, sees essentially the most guests, and that is additionally the place the biennial Calabash Literary Pageant is held.
Frenchman's Bay, Nice Bay, Fort Charles Bay, and Billy's Bay have a tendency to remain quieter; Native fishermen are sometimes the one regulars.
Frenchman's Bay has a number of small beachside eating places, and Nice Bay involves life every year for the Jakes Triathlon.
All these coves are nice for sunbathing and swimming, though the waters can sometimes get tough. Often, you would possibly spot locals biking alongside the shore.
