If you’re looking for a beach paradise to escape to, Jamaica is the perfect place. Whether you’re interested in luxury at one of the island’s many resorts or you’d prefer one of the houses for rent in Jamaica to get a bit more local, you’re bound to spend the majority of your time at the beach.
From crystal clear waters to white sand beaches, out of the way destinations to busy surf spots, we’ve got you covered. Just don’t forget to sample all of the jerk chicken.
Table of Contents
Boston Bay Beach
Boston Bay is known for two things – surfing and jerk food. The waves at this beach are some of the best on the island to catch a wave. The water is bright blue and perfectly refreshing to take a dip when the sun bares down a little too much.
It’s also the best place to come to sample Jamaica’s famous jerk sauce. This part of town is considered the birthplace of the dish. Stands line the beach and the sauce covers everything from chicken to pork. You can even have jerk sausage. Be prepared for spice and come hungry.
Frenchman’s Cove
A great swimming spot and much quieter than other’s nearby. You pay a small fee to use the beach and it’s facilities, but really worth it if you want to come somewhere to swim for the day.
At Frenchman’s Cove, seawater mixes with river water to make for a very calm, not-too-salty spot to float. There are swings at the edges of the water where you can dip your feet or jump off into the water. It’s a playful spot with a few places to grab food and drink.
Doctor’s Cave Beach
Perhaps one of the most popular beaches on the island, Doctor’s Cave is the perfect place for families and sun worshippers. The waves are nice and calm thanks to the cove blocking major waves from breaking on shore.
The beach has also banned radios, footballs, and vendors, making it the perfect place to sit back and relax with a book and a very large bottle of sunscreen.
You’ll have to pay a small fee to access the beach, but it will include access to a nice clean toilet and changing room. You can rent umbrellas and chairs for an additional price.
Seven Mile Beach
Seven miles of sand stretch across a beautiful horizon here. If you’re looking for a spot to spend the entire day, this is a great option. Vendors walk up and down all day selling everything from jerk chicken to bottles of beer.
There are plenty of spots to pull up a chair and sunbathe. There are designated places to swim and tons of beach bars along the sand here at Seven Mile Beach. Also handy to know, certain parts of this beach are nudist-friendly.
Reggae Beach
This tiny stretch of sand (only 1/4 mile long) is a nice place to come to escape the tourist trail and enjoy some reggae music. Bands come here frequently to play on the sand. The cove is flanked on both sides by tall cliffs and the crystal clear waters make for perfect snorkeling.
Even on such a small beach, there’s plenty of places to enjoy a cold beer and a plate full of jerk chicken. Three bars line the sand here serving up Jamaican specialties. There are often live DJ’s here at night.
Bloody Bay
If you’re looking for a beach to enjoy some nightlife, definitely head to Bloody Bay. With its location on the West side of the island, it is the perfect place to come for a killer sunset. Loads of bars line the sand and the party can go well into the early hours.
There are plenty of food vendors serving up spicy jerk cuisine and the restaurants and bars have plenty of options for those looking to avoid the spice.
Winnifred Beach (Fairy Hill Beach)
If you’re looking for a secluded beach to lay on and look out over bright blue waters, look no further than Winnifred Beach. It’s a little tricky to get to and will require a rental car or taxi ride, but you’ll be happy to have taken the journey once you’re laying on the picture-perfect white sand in near solitude.
The water at this beach is truly as turquoise as it gets. As a bonus, it’s one of the few free beaches left on the island and there are jerk food stands all along the path leading to the beach.
