Beaches in Jamaica
...quite a choice, and highly rated!

Several Beaches in Jamaica make the top ten in the world and one makes the top five, but not only is the quality high but the variety is varied enough to satisfy all members of the family.

Selecting the best Jamaican beaches is not easy, and each person has their own opinion, which is why we have tried to offer three points of view on this question, from different people from different backgrounds so that you can make up your own mind, or choose all of them: Where are the best beaches in Jamaica?

It is divided into two separate long stretches by a massive 300 foot cinder cone Pu’u Keka’ known as the Black Rock. The rock divides the sand into two and swimmers find themselves bathing in deep water.

The rugged lava coastline around the Rock is also an outstanding snorkeling spot, one of the best on the island. Swimming in the crystal clear waters is safe throughout the year but best outside the season of high winter surfs.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, USA

With 60 miles of pristine beach, Myrtle Beach water sports and Myrtle Beach fishing are the finest among the different beaches in America. Besides lazing and tanning in the tropical sun, the soft wide beach provides ample opportunities for swimming, surfing, para-sailing, shell collecting and volleyball.

Although your fun begins at the beach, the best attraction always, there is plenty more to do at Myrtle Beach. Besides beautiful beaches, it has delectable food, amusement parks, variety of shopping malls, lively nightlife and adventure sports. With hundreds of attractions, both indoors and outdoors, Myrtle Beach offers fun and excitement for all ages to enjoy.

This beautiful beach resort has more than 100 professional golf courses, a NASCAR sanctioned track, minor league baseball as well as tennis. You can take a deep sea fishing adventure from eight different piers or fish the backwaters and creeks all the way from Little River to Pawley’s Island on the South Carolina coast.

Moreover, there is a wildlife sanctuary where you are likely to spot alligators and deer combined with several boat tours to give you a real feel of the place.

Cancun, Mexico

Cancun is truly known as the vacation haven of the 21st century with gorgeous beaches of white sands and turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Having started off as a fishing village of only 120 people, Cancun is now a bustling beach resort with a population of half a million and a tourist onslaught of more than two million a year.

One of Mexico’s popular and best beaches it features world class resorts, hotels, clubs and malls. It offers something for people of all ages whether it an all-day fun at the beach or an isolated, tranquil island. It is close to Miami and has a number of activities to choose from like parachuting, jet-skiing, scuba-diving and golf. Topless bathing is an accepted activity in and around the surrounding areas of Cancun.

With striking modern hotels along the beach front and a lively nightlife, it is a fantastic getaway for the weary traveler. It encloses a huge lagoon, with water on both sides. Also, much of the Yucatan is easily accessible from here. There are two quite separate parts to Cancún: the zona commercial downtown which houses the shopping and residential centre and the zona hotelera - a string of hotels and tourist amenities around the Cancún Island. This is a narrow strip of sandy beach connected to the mainland at each end by causeways.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Montego Bay is known for its long sandy stretch of bay with miles of coral reef and some of the most beautiful and best beaches in the world. Montego Bay is Jamaica’s second largest city and rests between the gently sloping hills of Bogue, Kempshot and Salem. It extends approximately ten miles from the suburban rich area of Reading at its western edge to the plush villas and resort hotels of Ironshore and Rose Hall to the east.

Montego Bay is made up of two distinct parts – The Gloucester Avenue now called the Hip Strip and the city proper or the downtown.

All along the coastline are beautiful luxury hotels with three main public beaches which offer all amenities and several water sports. For a quieter and tranquil atmosphere you can head to the white sandy beaches of the Caribbean Beach Park, east of the town of Ironshore.

Montego Bay offers a wide variety of entertainment and sporting activities. From fun on the beach to the delicious food served at the waterfront, white water rafting and adventure sports, catamaran rides and fishing charters, it has it all.

Phuket, Thailand

Sand between your toes, stunning tropical sunsets, cold drink in your hand and warm blue inviting seas – this is picture perfect Phuket. This island is known for its silky soft beaches, superb oriental hospitality and great value accommodation. You can go diving in the Andaman Sea, golfing at championship courses or indulge in exciting eco-adventures in the tropical forest of Phuket. Take an exhilarating speedboat trip to surrounding islands or a serene cruise around mystical Phang Nga Bay, or simply enjoy Phuket’s vibrant nightlife in Patong Beach.

Known as the Pearl of the Andaman, Phuket is a large island in the Indian Ocean. The surrounding waters contain much varied marine life and the town is known for its quaint Sino-Portuguese architecture. It is a very attractive island for sightseeing with lovely seashores and forested hillsides.

[William Brister, http://www.travelonguide.com - With hundreds of beautiful beaches to choose from, we have given you the details of the best beaches in the world.]

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This mountainous, tropical wonderland is blessed with the most perfect beaches in the world. I was fortunate enough to appreciate this island's pleasures when I embarked on my first visit to the Caribbean. After five visits to Jamaica, and many other islands, I can affirm that these beaches are the most outstanding.

No matter what part of the island you visit, there will be a satisfyingly lovely beach to enjoy. I first encountered the palm fringed beaches of Jamaica many years ago. I had the impression that Doctor's Cove Beach outside of Montego Bay was the most gorgeous beach I had ever visited until we rented a car and drove to Negril.

We were astounded to be engulfed in perfectly clear water, a luxuriously soft bed of sand underfoot, and schools of teeny fish surrounding us. There was an old inn on the beach called "The Sundowner" and from the deck we could take in the breathtaking views. We walked to the other side of Negril and encountered "Bloody Bay" which despite the strange name turned out to be as wonderful as Negril Beach. Since that time many things have changed in the Negril area, but not the exceptional quality of the beaches.

During a recent cruise to Ocho Rios I was delighted to discover the incomparable beaches in that area. You can visit James Bond Beach, Mahogany Beach, Boscobel Beach, Mallards Beach and many other appealing beaches.Jamaica’s popular assortment of spectacular, world famous beaches can be found along the north coast; where you will have the opportunity to be engulfed in the most inviting water with glorious views of hills, mountains, tropical foliage, beguiling birds and exceptionally friendly Jamaicans.

I recommend hiring a reputable local guide to show you beaches that are off the beaten track, away from the typical tourist areas. There is nothing like spending a special afternoon at a secluded Jamaican beach, enjoying a picnic lunch with frequent dips in the 70 degree water.

[Isabelle Suzanne is a licensed New York City tour operator, traveler and writer for http://www.jamaica-tour.com.]

All your life you dreamed of taking a vacation and suddenly it is almost time! Now, the pressure to get the most out of it. We all have different ideas about vacations. And, this will be a special one. You have to realize your own special needs and wants and incorporate all this into a well structured fulfilling time.

Consider Jamaica. It has a variety of beaches to choose from. Just know what you want and where to find it. Jamaica is the answer. Jamaica has the beaches that feature the traditional joys of pristine white sand and blue, blue waters, but also the rough, craggy type of beaches. The latter are great if you don't really like crowds. Some people go to Jamaica for the crowds because they like the active social scene.

A great example is Doctor's Cave Beach, in Montego Bay. This one is known as a classic Caribbean vacation beach. It is about five miles long and covered with a fine white sandy beach that borders clear, cool waters. It is likely to be crowded. Very popular.

Another example is Cornwell Beach. Known for lovely, white sand. It is also part of Montego Bay.

An example of the "rougher" Jamaican beaches is Negril, where some of the most wild, untouched areas by the sea can be found. Look for craggy cliffs, amazing beauty, and lots of solitude – a favorite of naturalists from around the world. Another rough beach is Crane Beach, by Black River, notable for the naturalness of its environment.

If you have a family, especially with young children, there are several beaches in Jamaica for you. These are known for their gentle waters that lack the strong currents and undertows found in other areas, making swimming safer for children. Some of the best are the Walter Fletcher Beach in Montego Bay, San San Beach in Port Antonio, Blue Lagoon Beach, which is also in Port Antonio, and Dunn’s River Beach, located in Ocho Rios, fairly close to the famous waterfalls.

For the surfer in the family, consider Boston Beach, where surfing equipment is easy to rent. And,the beaches of Long Bay offer the most consistent waves in Jamaica. For adventure, try Treasure Beach, but, while adventurous to the surfer, the undercurrent can be strong.

And, those in search of beaches that combine the joys of sun, sand and surf with an active social scene or party scene will certainly enjoy Frenchman’s Cove in Port Antonio. Seven Mile Beach in Negril is also considered a favorite place.

Jamaica is a lovely island with about 200 miles of beaches. There are beaches to suit most every taste, from peaceful and natural surroundings to the pristine white sands and full services of the resorts, from beaches perfect for active water sports beaches to known for their active social scene.

A little planning will help you to choose the best beach in Jamaica for you. Study all the alternatives and make your choice wisely. And, wherever you decide to go...have a great vacation.

[Alton Hargrave offers advice and resources for those interested in travel. His website, http://travel-venture.info contains information you need to plan your vacation wisely.]
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So those are your choices. Maybe we can visit all of them and really take a complete survey: now how about that for an excuse for a complete Jamaican Vacation. A holiday to check out the beaches of Jamaica.