9 Best Beaches in Montego Bay

The best beaches in Montego Bay are well known for their turquoise waters and soft, white sand. Sunny days and warm water make every day a beach day when visiting Jamaica. Montego Bay is a coastal city located on the Caribbean Sea, about a 3-hour drive from Jamaica’s capital city, Kingston.

Relaxation and rum are the main reasons travelers flock to Montego Bay for vacation. You can lounge the day away or snorkel in the stunning coral reefs near the coast. Check out our list of the best beaches in Montego Bay, which is sure to give popular spots for both activities.

1. Doctor’s Cave Beach

Montego Bay’s premier beach destination

Good for: Families, Couples, Photo

Doctor’s Cave Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Montego Bay. Donated by Dr. Alexander James McCatty for public use, the waters here supposedly have curative powers. Until a hurricane destroyed it in 1932, a secret cave marked the entryway. Now, the beach is a wide-open paradise.

The calm, tropical waters at Doctor’s Cave Beach average 77-82°F (25-28°C), making it perfect for swimming and water sports. Spot a stingray or a bright butterflyfish when you snorkel the exotic reef surrounding the area. Amenities are aplenty at this beach with Wi-Fi, changing rooms, showers, bathrooms, and a great selection of restaurants and bars. You’ll never want to leave.

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2. Harmony Beach

Seaside concerts at Harmony Beach Park

Good for: Budget, Families, Food

Also called Dump-up Beach, Harmony Beach is a crescent-shaped beach in the downtown area of Montego Bay and is popular with both locals and visitors. The crystal-clear waters and sugar-sand beaches provide a perfect destination to spend the day, and the calm waters are ideal for water sports.

There are often free concerts at the adjacent Harmony Beach Park, so if you’re lucky you could be dancing the day away to the best reggae beats. There are also food vendors and bathrooms, and the beach is free to visit which makes it perfect for families looking for fun and for those enjoying Montego Bay on a budget.

Open: Park: Daily from 6 am to 10 pm, Beach: Wednesday–Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)

Phone: +1 876-656-9290

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3. Royal Decameron Montego Beach

Luxurious accommodations at a private beach

Good for: Luxury, Couples

Montego Bay Beach at the Royal Decameron Montego Beach is a luxurious, private beach located near the Hip Strip in Montego Bay. The Royal Decameron Montego Beach is an all-inclusive resort that boasts 2 pools, delicious food, and drinks you can enjoy from a private cabana.

The Hip Strip has tons of things to do as well should you want to shake off the sand, including shopping, bars, and restaurants. The beach’s turquoise waters are perfect for swimming, windsurfing, and water skiing. You will also enjoy private access to the pristine beachfront with plenty of loungers and palm tree umbrellas to take a break from the sun.

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4. Mahee Bay Beach

A beach paradise in an urban setting

Good for: Adventure, Couples, Families

Just 10 km northwest of central Montego Bay you’ll find Mahee Bay Beach. The surrounding area is urban, but the beach has plenty of palm trees to provide shade from the Jamaican sun. The straight coastline is lined with luxurious hotels, many offering exclusive private access to the stretches of soft sand.

Mahee Bay Beach can get a bit crowded when the cruises dock, but otherwise has a buzzing, relaxed vibe. Rent a catamaran or jet ski to explore the calm waters or pop on your snorkeling gear and dive under the sea for some incredible scenery.

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5. Dead End Beach

Airplanes adorn the sky at Dead End Beach

Good for: Unusual, Photo, Adventure

Dead End Beach is so named because it’s located on a dead-end street in the northern end of central Montego Bay. Also called Buccaneer Beach, it’s free and open to the public and very popular with locals. It has fewer amenities than other beaches in Montego Bay, but it makes it to the best beaches list because of its tranquil scenery and simple pleasures.

If you’re looking for a different beach experience, watching the airplanes flying to and from nearby Donald Sangster International Airport will provide an unusual activity and great photos. So bring a picnic, sunbathe, or watch the planes take off and land while swimming the backstroke in the calm waters.

Location: F3WF+JW7, Kent Ave, Montego Bay, Jamaica

Phone: +1 876-805-7824

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6. Tropical Bliss Beach

Secluded sands

Good for: Food, Adventure

If you’re hoping to escape most of the crowds, Tropical Bliss Beach is the place for you. It can get busy when the cruises dock but is otherwise a somewhat secluded spot. Surrounded by vibrant seaside bars and restaurants, Tropical Bliss Beach is a wonderful spot to meet friends for rum cocktails and seafood snacks.

It costs a small fee to enter this private beach, and the club rents out chairs, cabanas, and even hammocks. Several sightseeing tours either depart from or include a stop at Tropical Bliss Beach for the essential Montego Bay beach experience.

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7. Old Hospital Park Beach

Stunning sunset views

Good for: Budget, Couples, Photo

Old Hospital Park Beach, near Gloucester Ave., is free to the public and a prime place for a picnic. It’s also great for a doze in the sun while you take a break from the vibrant Hip Strip fun.

Old Hospital Park Beach, also known as One Man Beach, can get crowded when the cruise ships dock, but usually has plenty of space for everyone along its almost 153 meters of sand. This beach is famed for being a gorgeous spot to watch the sunset, so be sure to take a selfie before heading out to the clubs.

Location: Gloucester Ave, Montego Bay, Jamaica

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8. Sunset Beach

A small, peaceful beach with sunset views

Good for: Couples, Families, Photo

In an alcove on the coastline alongside Kent Ave., Sunset Beach is a small strip of clean sand, popular with the locals. This is the place to come for a quiet swim or a moment of peace, an ideal spot for a refreshing early morning or relaxing early evening dip.

Despite being small (but perfectly formed) there is often a concession stand and a number of lounge chairs for rent. The main attraction, though, is the view. And the evening sunset is particularly spectacular.

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9. Montego Bay Marine Park

A protected park to connect with nature

Good for: Adventure, Photo

Montego Bay Marine Park is a must-see destination for nature lovers. It’s Jamaica’s first Marine Protected Area, which means that the government works to make sure the habitat is clean and safe for wildlife. With over 19 km of shoreline, there’s a lot to discover.

The soft, white sand beaches provide the perfect base to spend a day or more. Delve into the mangrove forests or rent some snorkel gear to explore the magnificent reefs teeming with fish. You can also book a bird-watching tour, a glass-bottomed boat tour, or a sunset lagoon tour from the visitor center.

Location: Pier One Complex, Harbour Circle, Howard Cooke Hwy, Montego Bay, Jamaica

Phone: +1 876-952-5619

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