Photography by Zach Stovall
Jamaica has 635 miles of coastline, and when it comes to beaches, there's one for every bum: secluded strands where nothing need come between you and warm, crystalline waters; rugged black-sand shores carved at the elements' whim; busy strips trafficked by colorful craft vendors; and tranquil, sugary coves perfect for little swimmers. Many of the island's best are fronted by all-inclusive resorts but can still be reached via neighboring pathways, and the public beaches are equally alluring.
Montego Bay | Ocho Rios | Port Antonio | Treasure Beach | Negril | General Info
Montego Bay
Jamaica's second city has drawn visitors to its 15-mile stretch of coast punctuated by postcard-worthy white-sand strands since the 1950s, and sun seekers arriving at the recently revamped Sangster International Airport or at the cruise-ship terminal in Montego Freeport can be belly-up on the beach within minutes. The myriad tourist attractions and swinging night life of this lively Caribbean hub make it a go-to destination for those who like their beaches served with a little urban buzz on the side.
Hotel Hot Spots
Many of Mo'Bay's best strands stretch out alongside all-inclusive hotels like Sandals Montego Bay, where rates start at $300 per person all-inclusive in low season ($309 high*). It claims to have the largest hotel beach on the north coast. 800-SANDALS; sandals.com
Further east, the sheltered bay at Half Moon is perfect for kids, and its 33 villas face a 2-mile-long beach with a dolphin lagoon. Half Moon's rates start at $250 in low season ($400 high). 876-953-2211; halfmoon.com
Powder for the People
Three public strands along the Hip Strip of Gloucester Avenue offer plenty of local flavor. The most famous is Doctor's Cave, where visitors can enjoy the facilities of a private beach club whose reputedly healing waters are fed by underground streams. Local families dominate on Sundays, and cruise-ship passengers and guests from Breezes Montego Bay, which shares the beach, join the mix during the rest of the week. There's a seaside food court and a cool bar-restaurant, plus chair, umbrella and snorkel-equipment rental. Breezes' all-inclusive rates start at $238 per room in low season ($268 high). 877-467-8737; superclubs.com
A relaxing city oasis, Walter Fletcher Beach (also known as Aquasol) is a compact cove with calm, kid-friendly water and ample shade. At the end of the strip, the main attraction at Dead End Beach isn't the beach itself, which is clean though small; instead, locals flock to this tiny, end-of-the-runway strand to watch aircraft on final approach as they cool off with a Red Stripe from the beach bar.
Where to Stay
You can't go wrong at the posh and pricey Ritz-Carlton, where rates start at $199 in low season ($509 high). 800-542-8680; ritzcarlton.com
For a more intimate experience, check in to Coyaba Beach Resort & Club, a charming 50-room, family-run inn. Rates start at $220 in low season ($320 high). 877-COY-ABA8; coyabaresortjamaica.com
Where to Eat
Feast on jerk sausage and roast breadfruit at Scotchies (876-953-8041) opposite Holiday Inn; enjoy a romantic dinner at the secluded Houseboat Grill (876-979-8845) on tranquil Bogue Lagoon; quaff a legendary malted milkshake -- and try the ackee and saltfish -- at The Pelican (876-952-3171), a much-loved, 40-year-old Mo'Bay diner.
Hot Stuff
Fed up with floating? Have a bouncing good time on the giant water trampolines at Doctor's Cave or stroll down the strip to Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville, where you can ride the 100-foot water slide. 876-952-4777; margaritavillecaribbean.com
Montego Bay | Ocho Rios | Port Antonio | Treasure Beach | Negril | General Info
