Does Montego Bay have good beaches? Yes, it does. Located on the north shore of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or “MoBay,” as locals call it) is one of the top romantic trip and honeymoon destinations in Jamaica for multiple reasons. There’s plenty to do, it’s easy to get to, and the beaches are spectacular.
Some people wonder, does Montego Bay have white sand beaches? The answer is yes, there are white sand beaches in Montego Bay. And not only are they beautiful, but you can snorkel right off the beach in Montego Bay along thriving coral reefs that are just offshore.
There are plenty of public beaches in Montego Bay as well as private Montego Bay beaches you can access with a day pass. Read on to learn about the 12 best Montego Bay beaches and all they have to offer!
Montego Bay Marine Park
Montego Bay Marine Park offers several beaches along protected waters that are home to a wide variety of marine life. You can go snorkeling and scuba diving here, or just enjoy relaxing on shore. Some of the beaches are rocky, so be prepared for that.
Doctor’s Cave Beach
Doctor’s Cave Beach is one of the most popular Montego Bay beaches, located in the area known as the “Hip Strip” along Gloucester Avenue. Famous for its clear blue water and golden sand, the beach gets its name from a cave that was once used by a doctor to treat patients with respiratory problems.
Today, the cave is no longer used for medical purposes, but it is still a popular spot for tourists to visit. (There is a small admission fee.) The beach has facilities like restrooms and lounge chairs, and it’s home to a number of restaurants and bars, as well as a variety of shops selling souvenirs and other items.
Visitors to Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, and windsurfing. There are also a number of tour operators who offer boat tours of the surrounding area. This is one of the Montego Bay beaches near the cruise port so it can get crowded; you may want to check out the beach next door (see below).
Cornwall Beach
Cornwall Beach is located just next to Doctor’s Cave Beach. It offers the same beautiful scenery, but fewer people. Since Cornwall Beach is owned by a hotel, you’ll need to get a day pass. There’s a bar and restaurant as well as restrooms nearby, and there are lounge chairs and umbrellas available. There’s also great snorkeling off the beach here.
Dead End Beach
Dead End Beach is a lovely free beach close to Doctor’s Cave Beach, so it’s also along the Hip Strip of Gloucester Avenue. A unique appeal to this beach is that you can watch planes coming into the nearby airport, right over you. This is also a great spot for the sunset, and the water is shallow and calm so it’s also a good beach for swimming.
Montego Beach
Montego Beach is a very popular and busy beach, offering clear water and soft sand. This beach has facilities including lounge chairs and umbrellas available for rent. It’s located about a mile from the downtown area.
Acquasol Beach Park
Acquasol Beach Park has nice sand and beautiful blue water, as well as fun extras like waterslides, a tennis court, a skating rink, a go kart track, and water sports activities. There’s also a restaurant and a sports bar. This is one of the closest Montego Bay beaches near the cruise port, so go here at times when a ship isn’t in port for the best experience. There is a small admission fee to this beach park.
Walter Fletcher Beach
Walter Fletcher Beach is located right next to Aquasol Beach Park, and offers a lovely cove with very clear, calm water that is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. There are also coconut palms for shade.
One Man Beach
One Man Beach is also near Acquasol Beach Park, so it is also popular with cruise ship visitors, but it doesn’t tend to get overcrowded. This beautiful beach, also known as Old Hospital Beach, usually has something fun going on. It is also an excellent beach to watch the sunset.
Dump Up Beach
Dump Up Beach is in the downtown area of Montego Bay and popular with locals. One of the best beaches in Montego Bay that are free, it has soft white sand, clear water, and great facilities. You will usually find plenty of things happening here.
Belvedere Beach
Belvdere Beach is also in downtown Montego Bay, off Gloucester Avenue. This is a peaceful, nice beach to relax on, although it doesn’t have any facilities onsite.
Sandals Montego Bay Beach
If you’re looking for a Montego Bay beaches resort so you can stay right on the water, look no further. The beach at Sandals Montego Bay is a private paradise. The long stretch of soft white sand slopes into a vivid turquoise and blue sea, where offshore reefs ensure calm waters (and good snorkeling). You can lounge here all day under shade umbrellas, sipping a refreshing tropical drink. There are even thatched-roof platforms perched over the water for additional privacy.
If you feel like being active along that beach, you’ll have your choice of watersports ranging from stand-up paddleboarding to Hobie Cat sailing, or land sports like beach volleyball, which are all complimentary since Sandals Montego Bay is an all-inclusive resort.
Mahee Bay Beach
Mahee Bay Beach offers sugar white sand and turquoise water plus a peaceful vibe. Located near the adults-only all-inclusive Sandals Royal Caribbean resort, it is just about 6 miles from downtown but feels secluded. (The private beach at Sandals Royal Caribbean is also spectacular, if you want to stay at a beachfront resort in Jamaica).
Ashley has always loved to explore new places and indulges her passion for travel whenever she can. She has been to 12 countries and 32 states so far.
Ashley has worked as a freelance writer for more than 20 years, specializing in the areas of travel, marketing, personal development, and the pursuit of happiness.
Favorite destinations include Sorrento and Capri, Italy; Haarlem, Netherlands; Paris; Sydney and K’gari, Australia; Rotorua and Waiheke Island, New Zealand; the American West; Palm Beach; the Florida Keys; and her hometown of New Orleans. Ashley has a goal of visiting every state plus many more international destinations.