Beach
Doctor's Cave Beach
Gloucester Avenue, Montego Bay
A city beach on Gloucester Avenue that gives somebody staying in Montego Bay an easy way to get in the water without turning it into a full excursion.
Why go
It sits inside the Montego Bay Marine Park, which means the reef is reachable from the sand rather than from a boat that has to be arranged in advance. Bring a mask and the difference between standing in the water and looking under it is most of the point.
It is also on Gloucester Avenue, the stretch most people call the Hip Strip, so it is part of the walkable part of the city rather than somewhere you have to get to.
Where it fits
This is a beach that fits inside a day rather than replacing one. You can swim, walk back up to the strip to eat, and still have the afternoon.
Sangster International is roughly two miles away by road, which is a few minutes in a taxi. If you land early, a first swim can happen before check in does.
Good to know
It is a city beach
This is Montego Bay's own shoreline rather than a resort strip, and it sits on the busiest walkable street in the city. That is the appeal and the character of it at once.
The reef is the reason to bring a mask
The Montego Bay Marine Park is protected water running along the city's shoreline. Without something to see through, you are swimming rather than looking.
The airport is close
Roughly two miles by road from Sangster International. Useful on the first morning and on the last.
Our take
Our view: this is the most useful beach in Montego Bay rather than the most dramatic one, and useful is what a short trip needs. If you only get in the water once, get in here and bring a mask.
Guides that go here
More around Montego Bay
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Montego Bay A city on the water with the island's main airport in it. It can be a practical base for a first trip, especially when you want beaches, city access and the airport close together.Planning a Jamaica trip?
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