The 25 Best Beaches in Jamaica

Are you looking for the perfect beach vacation? Jamaica should certainly be on your list.

Jamaica is one of our favorite Caribbean islands with its sunny climate, lush tropical rainforests, and stunning white sand beaches. Many travelers head to the all-inclusive resorts of Montego Bay. But there are so many other parts of the island - and dozens of beaches - to discover on your trip.

We asked Lee Friedman, Caribbean travel advisor and founder of the family travel blog Mango Tree Travel to weigh in and help us point you to the best of the best. She rounded up these 26 best beaches in Jamaica, which offer travelers everything from swimming to snorkeling to sunbathing. So pack those swimsuits and let's head out!

Whether you're seeking a romantic getaway or an exciting family adventure, these gorgeous stretches of the coast have something for you. Pack your bags, and let's experience all that the beautiful Jamaican coastline has to offer.

Best Beaches in Negril Jamaica

Seven Mile Beach – Negril

Seven Mile Beach, located in Negril, is Jamaica's most famous and iconic beach. This beach alone is why many travelers choose Negril over Montego Bay for their Jamaica vacation. It has the longest stretch of white sand on the island, perfect for long beach walks and sunset strolls to nearby restaurants.

It is also one of Jamaica's most picturesque and serene beaches, boasting stunning views of the Caribbean Sea and a mountainous backdrop. With calm waters, cute beachfront hotels, and bars, Seven Mile Beach is the ultimate beach vacation spot.

Bloody Bay Beach – Negril

Located in Negril, Bloody Bay Beach is one of Jamaica's most beautiful and picturesque beaches. It's also one of the best for kids, with shallow, calm waters.

With plenty of activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, and more, it's no wonder why this beach has become so popular among travelers looking for an unforgettable experience. Many sunset cruises leave Bloody Bay Beach, making it an especially great place for an afternoon swim before getting out on the water.

Best Beaches on Jamaica's South Coast

Treasure Beach – Saint Elizabeth

Treasure Beach in Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, is an incredible off-the-beaten-path destination. This community on Jamaica's south coast is home to Jake's Hotel, an eclectic resort routinely voted by Travel and Leisure as a top family destination in the Caribbean.

Visitors will find a unique mix of traditional fishing villages nestled among lush green hills and tropical vegetation. The beaches here are undeveloped and uncrowded. If you make your way to Treasure Beach, do not miss taking a boat ride with Captain Joseph, who will cook you a lunch of lobsters and fresh fish right on the beach and take you to sample some of Jamaica's best rums at the infamous, Rastafarian Pelican Bar.

Best Beaches in Montego Bay, Jamaica

Doctor's Cave Beach – Montego Bay

Montego Bay has some of the best beach resorts in Jamaica, many with private beaches. But a handful of public beaches are among Jamaica's best beaches, worth getting off the resort to explore!

Doctor's Cave Beach is one such beach, one of Jamaica's most celebrated beaches in the heart of Montego Bay. Famous for its crystal-clear waters and lively atmosphere, with a fun beach bar right in the middle, it's a great place to relax or participate in watersports.

According to legend, Doctor's Cave beach is said to have therapeutic waters, which is fantastic for parents who need a cure from daily life stressors with kids.

Adults looking for more of a party scene should also wander next door to Cornwall Beach, known for its sunset parties, food, and drinks. A small fee is required to enter this beach, but the result is that it is often less crowded than its more popular neighbor.

Dead End Beach – Montego Bay

Dead End Beach in Montego Bay is one of the best beaches to visit in Jamaica because it's where actual Jamaicans visit, not just tourists! Sometimes called Buccaneer Beach, Dead End Beach is a public beach at the end of Montego Bay's strip. There's a bar across from the beach for adults to enjoy called Dead End Bar, and kids will love watching planes fly into the nearby airport.

In short, there's something to entertain travelers of all ages -- and the calm water is perfect for kids. Visiting Dead End Beach is a perfect excuse to get outside the resort and see the more authentic side of Jamaica.

AquaSol Beach – Montego Bay

AquaSol Beach in Montego Bay, Jamaica, is a unique cove worth visiting for a morning or afternoon, especially if traveling to Jamaica with kids. On another beach frequented more by locals than tourists, you'll find a few food stands and vendors selling water.

Aqua Sol Beach in Montego Bay also has a small water park that kids will love if your hotel doesn't offer its own! There's a small lazy river, a collection of waterslides just off the beach, and a splash pad for little ones. It's a great way to mix things up on your Montego Bay vacation.

Best Beaches on Jamaica's North Coast

Burwood Beach – Falmouth

Burwood Beach in Falmouth, Jamaica, is a hidden gem that should be on the list of every traveler exploring Jamaica's north coast. It's a no-frills, local beach with stunning views and crystal clear waters that rival even the Caribbean's most famous, more touristy beaches.

Falmouth has a lot of fantastic vacation villa rentals - some fully staffed with chefs to give you a total luxury experience. If you're looking to travel in a group to Jamaica, consider a villa near Burwood Beach in Falmouth!

Puerto Seco Beach – Discovery Bay

Puerto Seco Beach in Discovery Bay is an excellent place for travelers renting villas on Jamaica's northern coast. To say that the waters on this calm beach are clear is a gross understatement - they are near transparent and seem to sparkle.

Spend the day at the Puerto Seco Beach Club, which underwent a complete renovation and update in 2018. There are tons of activities to keep travelers of all ages entertained! Admission includes using a 150-foot pool and shade under large beach huts. Groups can also book private cabanas, which come with a butler service.

Silver Sands Beach – Trelawney

Peaceful is the best word to describe Silver Sands Beach in Trelawney, Jamaica. It offers stunning views, and its calm waters and powdery white sand make it an ideal place for total relaxation. Visitors can also take advantage of nearby amenities such as food stalls, beach chairs to rent, and even local craft markets offering handmade souvenirs.

Silver Sands Beach in Jamaica is the perfect family vacation spot, offering a gentle slope into shallow waters and clear sandy bottom. Often getting strong winds, it is ideal for windsurfing and other fun activities too.

Best Beaches in Ocho Rios

Bamboo Beach – Ocho Rios

Bamboo Beach is a stunning beach located in Ocho Rios. The beach has plenty of shade for visitors wanting to escape the sun, and food stands offering delicious local cuisine. Visitors can also rent chairs and umbrellas here, making it an excellent spot for those looking for total relaxation.

Mammee Bay Beach – Ocho Rios

Mammee Bay Beach is the perfect place to spend an afternoon soaking up the sun and taking in beautiful views of Ocho Rios. This beach is known for its calm waters, powdery white sand, and clear horizon views.

The beach is a top pick if you want to swim and snorkel the whole day. Mammee Bay Beach has plenty of amenities, such as food stands, chairs for rent, and umbrellas – making it ideal for visitors who want to laze the day away in comfort and convenience.

Pleasure Cove Beach – Ocho Rios

Pleasure Cove Beach is the go-to spot for an action-packed beach experience. Just a few minutes from downtown Ocho Rios, Pleasure Cove Beach is known for its strong waves, perfect for body boarding and surfing. The beach also has plenty of beach chairs, umbrellas, and food stands offering up local cuisine.

Dunn's River Falls Beach – Ocho Rios

No trip to Ocho Rios is complete without a visit to Dunn's River Falls Beach! This stunning beach is near the famous Dunn's River Falls and boasts crystal-clear waters.

The beach also has plenty of amenities, such as chairs for rent and food stands offering delicious local cuisine. Dunns River Falls Beach is the perfect spot for visitors looking to enjoy a day filled with adventure!

Ocho Rios Bay Beach – Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios Bay Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Ocho Rios. This stunning beach features clear blue waters and white-sand shores perfect for swimming and relaxing. Visitors can also rent chairs and umbrellas or even ride on a glass-bottom boat – making it an ideal spot for those looking to make the most of their beach day.

Laughing Waters Beach - Ocho Rios

Laughing Waters Beach in Ocho Rios Jamaica is renowned for its shimmering turquoise waters and white sand. Located near Dunn's River Falls, the beach is framed by lush tropical foliage, making it a perfect spot to relax and unwind.

The gentle waters are ideal for swimming, kayaking, and other water activities, while the beachside food stands offer an array of delicious local cuisine.

Best Beaches in Oracabessa Bay

James Bond Beach – Oracabessa Bay

Oracabessa Bay, near Ocho Rios, is home to some of the most stunning beaches in Jamaica. Most known for the luxurious Golden Eye Resort, known for having inspired Ian Flemming's series, it's a great choice for a vacation if you're seeking Jamaica's best beaches. Here are your top two options while you're there.

James Bond Beach, located in Oracabessa Bay, is an idyllic spot for a day of relaxation. It's just a few miles from Golden Eye Resort, which you can sail past when renting wave runners on the beach. James Bond Beach is quiet during the week but a lively destination on the weekends, in particular, sometimes hosting music events. Don't miss the fresh seafood at the restaurant on the beach.

Low Cay Beach – Oracabessa Bay

Low Cay Beach is located in the serene lagoons of Oracabessa Bay on the property of Golden Eye Resort. You can look out some of their stunning beach huts onto this beach. If you get the chance to stay here, snorkel and paddle board in the lagoon and feel the stress of daily life wash away.

Best Beaches in Port Antonio

Winnifred Beach – Port Antonio

Port Antonio is a town on Jamaica's northeast coast. It remains relatively unknown to tourists compared to hotspots like Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Still, it's a top choice if you're looking for beautiful beaches with nearby access to Jamaica's lush interior.
Winifred Beach is a well-known public beach in Port Antonio, located on the eastern end of Portland Parish.

It is great for swimming, kayaking, and other water sports and has a great restaurant hut where you can grab some jerk chicken and fresh beer. With lots of shade, it also makes for a great family beach.

Pellew Island Beach – Port Antonio

Just off the coast of Port Antonio is a small island, Pellew Island. Pellew Island Beach is small but stunning. Start by driving to San San Beach, rent a kayak and snorkel gear, and head across to the white sand beach. It's one of the best-secluded snorkeling spots in Jamaica, not to be missed if you love exploring the underwater world.

Boston Beach – Port Antonio

Boston Bay Beach is quite different from many of the beaches on this list. Rather than calm seas, it's known for its big waves, a prime spot for surfing or body boarding. It also claims to be the birthplace of the famous Jamaican jerk cuisine. You'll find BBQ stands and deep-fried 'festival' dumplings cooking spicy delights!

Best Beaches in Kingston, Jamaica

Lime Cay Beach – Kingston

Kingston is not Jamaica's most popular tourist destination. But if you find yourself in Kingston and don't have the chance to get to one of the more beach and resort-focused areas, a handful of beaches rank among Jamaica's best, worth taking in!

Lime Cay Beach is an uninhabited island fifteen minutes from Port Royal, the once infamous pirate stronghold. Famous for Sunday afternoon "limes," Lime Cay beach is known for its crystal clear waters and stunning views of the Caribbean Sea. It's a great spot to bring your picnic lunch and spend a day soaking up the sun, swimming in the crystal clear waters, and listening to local reggae music in the background.

Hellshire Beach – Kingston

Just 20 minutes from Kingston is Hellshire Beach, an eclectic beach scene with plenty of fried fish restaurants and music blaring throughout. It's known for its safe swimming and is a great spot to join in a game of beach football or two. Plenty of vendors will also sell souvenirs, drinks, and snacks.

Fort Clarence Beach – Kingston

Finally, Fort Clarence Beach is a public beach located within the city limits of Kingston, Jamaica. This wide stretch of sand features plenty of chairs and umbrellas, as well as a restaurant where you can grab some food and drinks. It's ideal for swimming, strolling along the shoreline, or enjoying the view. Whether you're looking to relax in the sun or participate in some beach activities, Fort Clarence Beach is sure to please.

There you have it! Our round-up of Jamaica's 25 best beaches. You'll need more than one trip to Jamaica to try them all out, so start planning your next one today.