Arguably one of the most beautiful beaches in The Caribbean. Frenchmans Cove Jamaica is straight out of a tropical dream. If you are visiting Jamaica, this tropical neach should be on your bucket list. And you don’t have to stay at the resort. The private beach is on the resort property but completely separated.
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Find out what makes Frenchmans Cove such a unique destination and all the information you need to visit Jamaica’s most beautiful beach.
Note: This is not the Marriott at Frenchman’s Cove St Thomas (Amalie, Charlotte).
Essential resources for booking your Jamaica Vacation
- Book your airport transfer with ease with GetTransfer
- Rent a car through RentalCars.com or compare prices with DiscoverCars
Top rated tours in Jamaica:
- Rastafari Cultural ATV Community Experience from Montego Bay
- Blue Hole and Dunn’s River Falls Private Tour from Montego Bay
- Negril One Love Bus Bar Crawl
- Martha Brae River Bamboo Rafting Private Tour with Transport
Table of Contents
What is Frenchmans Cove Jamaica?
This is one of the best beaches in Jamaica for a few reasons:
- The tiny cove has bright, white sand and clear blue water
- A gentle, freshwater stream runs through the property and comes out into the sea
- The stream is clear, cool water with a sandy bottom and overhanging jungle
- The jungle that surrounds the cove is thick and lush, providing a true sense of seclusion
- You can have the beach to yourself if you arrive early in the morning
- Foodservice in deck chairs is available
A secluded beach with service
Not only is this beach incredibly beautiful, but you can have your own unique space and receive table (or deck chair) service.
There is a menu and a couple servers that sit up under the trees. A life guard is typically on duty too for those wanting extra safety when swimming in the sea.
A photographers dream location
The white sand, clear blue water, jungle and palm trees make Frenchmans Cove Jamaica one of the most idealic places to take photos on the island.
Everywhere you look there are amazing ‘instagrammable’ photo opportunities. From the semi-enclosed bay to the over-water swing. It truly is a beautiful place that can make you vacation photos really pop.
A resort, set back in time
The property itself is a part of the Frenchmans Cove Jamaica Resort. But the grounds are so huge and the resort/villas are quite seperate from the bay (the villas are along a cliff face overlooking the sea).
The grounds of the hotel themselves look like they have not changed since it opened. The architecture is very distinct to the 1960’s.
Where is Frenchman’s Cove Jamaica?
Frenchmans Cove Jamaica is set in the beautiful Portland Parish on Jamaica’s east coast. It is set in one of the most lush corners of the island as in close to some other amazing natural points of interests.
The cove is approximately a 15 minute drive from Port Antonio.
How to get to Frenchmans Cove Jamaica
If you are driving yourself in Jamaica, it is very easy to find.
- There is a turnoff sign on the main coastal road
- Take the turnoff and follow it down the short slope (it turns into a gravel road)
- On your right is a large gate with a guardhouse, this is where you will park and pay the entrance fee
Public Transport
If you are staying in one of the other unique Jamaican accommodations nearby you can take the public bus/van along the main road and get dropped off at the Frenchman’s Cove turnoff.
Rates vary on distance but are around USD$2 for a 2 minute trip.
Private Tours
You can also arrange private tours/drivers with most resorts/hotels with guest services. Some offer a Portland Parish experience tour.
How far is Frenchman’s Cove from Montego Bay?
Frenchmans Cove is approximately 200 km away from Montego Bay. It takes around 4.5 hours to reach by car.
How Far is Frenchman’s Cove from Ocho Rios?
Frenchmans Cove is approximately 100 km away from Ocho Rios and takes around 2.5 hours to reach by car.
How Far is Frenchman’s Cove from Kingston?
Frenchmans Cove is approximately 120 km away from Kingston and takes around 3 hours to reach by car.
How much does it cost to visit Frenchman’s Cove Beach?
As Frenchmans Cove Beach is actually within the Frenchmans Cove Jamaica Resort, visitors need to purchase a beach pass to visit the beach. The beach pass costs JA$2,000.00 (approximately $12 USD), and food can be ordered from the independently operated beach Bar & Grill. Beach chairs are available for rent, at JA$300.
Frenchman cove beach opening hours
The beach is open from 9am to 5pm. We suggest getting there early so you can have a chance to experience it all to yourselves!
Frenchmans Cove Ammenities
- Carpark with security
- Change room
- Shower (indoor and outdoor) & toilet
- Cafe/bar (means you cannot bring your own food – though no one really seemed to mind small snacks and water)
- Lifeguard
- Beach chairs (JA$300 per day hire)
- Park benches
- Some palm trees on beach that provide shade
- Two swings over the creek
What to do in Frenchmans Cove Jamaica
Swim in the clear ocean
Some of the clearest water in Jamaica is found here in Portland Parish. With powdery white sand below your feet, the small cove is like an ocean pool.
There is a floating barrier along the outside of the cove, however it is not clear if this is to stop boats coming in, stop swimmers going out, or both.
The water is generally pretty calm, however can get a little bit of wave action in deeper water along the cliff edges.
Swing over a crystal clear running stream
There are two rope swings set up over some of the clearest water you will ever see. The swings hang from tree branches that overhang the creek below. They are low enough that you can drag your feet in the water.
With the thick jungle backdrop and clean white sand, it is a perfect spot for the ultimate vacation photo.
Snorkel with fish
Inside the slow, running creek are little fish. They are very friendly and not that bothered by humans in the water. You can actually swim upstream, deeper into the property’s jungle and see more of them.
The stream is fairly shallow (about waist deep water for an adult) and slow moving so you don’t need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy it.
Kick back in a deckchair
For USD$2 a day, you can rent a deckchair and kick back under a palm tree.
You don’t have to hire a deck chair. There are some other park bench type seats that you can use or simply throw a towel down.
Explore the grounds
Frenchmans Cove Jamaica is actually a 42-acre property. You can walk through a couple of the cut out jungle paths past thick hanging vines to see some of the most beautiful natural scenery on the island.
You can actually walk up the hill towards the resort itself and along the cliff face that looks back down to the cove beach.
Le Pirate’s Cafe – Frenchman’s Cove Beach Menu
The Frenchman’s cove beach bar is open from 9am – 7pm. While the menu is pretty basic, you can order and be served directly to your beach position. Things like Jerk Chicken and Burgers are on the menu (more expensive than getting it form the street vendors in Boston Bay) but not too bad considering the location. Here is the latest 2024 menu with prices.
Is Frenchman’s Cove Jamaica Open?
At first glance it might appear that the Frenchman’s Cove Resort is not operational, because it’s so quiet and the buildings look quite dated (there was actually a room that overlooked the cove that was closed and rundown). But in fact, the resort is open.
There are a range of rooms:
- Standard Rooms with Garden View USD$113/night
- Suite with garden room USD$145/night
- 1 & 2 Bedroom Villa with Garden & Ocean View USD$165 to $460
The resort states that they cater to the environmentally friendly and socially conscious. However, after walking around the property, we would recommend reading the latest guest reviews about staying at Frenchman’s Cove Jamaica before considering staying here.
What is the history of Frenchman’s Cove Jamaica?
Frenchman’s Cove’s name comes from a tale of naval warfare between the British and French near the Cove. According to the folklore, the British emerged victorious, forcing wounded French sailors to seek refuge in the bay, giving it its name, Frenchman’s Cove.
In the 1950s, billionaire Garfield Weston bought the property, transforming the landscape into the Caribbean’s first-ever, very exclusive, all-inclusive resort. After opening in 1962, it became a hotspot for celebrities, welcoming Elizabeth Taylor, the Beatles, Ian Fleming and even Queen Elizabeth II.
In 1980, the resort became badly damaged by Hurricane Allen. Although it was restored, it was no longer the same style of resort that it was. Nowadays, although keeping it’s 1950’s modernist architecture, unfortunately, the building conditions have really dated, and upkeep feels lacking. You can stay in the rooms if you don’t mind stepping back in time.
The grounds on the other hand are pristine and such a delight to walk around.
Frenchman’s Cove Jamaica Photos
Here are some photo highlights from Frenchmans Cove Jamaica to inspire your trip!
Things to bring to Frenchmans Cove Jamaica
- Reusable bag for grocery shopping – if you shop do shop at the little stalls along the street of Portland Parish they will give you plastic bags it’s always a good idea to have your own alternative option!
- Reusable water bottle – It’s not recommended to drink the tap water in Jamaica. You can purchase a couple of large 5L bottles from the supermarket and full up your reusable bottle, or you can purchase a water bottle with a built in filter to avoid single use plastic.
- Reef Safe Sunscreen – always a good idea when swimming in the sea near sensitive areas
- Natural Insect Repellant – Essential Oils like Tea Tree are great for keeping mosquitoes away
Things to Do Near Frenchmans Cove Jamaica
If you are planning only on visiting Frenchmans Cove Jamaica for the day, there are some other activities and points of interest nearby.
- Blue Lagoon – (5 minutes by car) the natural wonder is well worth a visit. You don’t need to spend more than a couple of hours here (including the tour).
- Boston Beach – (15 minutes by car) this local favorite hangout has a great vibe with music, a young surfer crowd, and some great street food options
- Reach Falls – (1 hour by car) the beautiful waterfall is a must-do for the eco traveller or nature enthusiast
Villas & Hotels Near Frenchmans Cove Jamaica
We stayed at Great Huts at Boston Bay, and it is a truly unique place to stay in Jamaica. Surrounded by the jungle, and perched on the cliffs, you can stay in a treehouse, a mud hut or a stunning cliffside room.
Alternatively, Geejam, located on Jamaica’s San San Estate and right around the corner from Frenchmans Cove, has a range of accommodation options, from apartments, to cottages and villas. Guests have access to a spa, a restaurant and a recording studio.
Alternatively, there are plenty of VRBO stays to choose from in Jamaica. Villa Bolthole is a popular family villa close to Frenchmans cove Jamaica.
Looking for great eco luxury accommodation in Jamaica? Check out The Rockhouse Negril (one of the best eco resorts in The Caribbean)
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