Cottages Dead End Beach Road

The beach is beautiful, and there's always something going on, from the bar and vendors to planes passing overhead. All kinds of people come through, so it's fun for people-watching. Expect loud music and laughter. Every visit feels like a good time.

The water here is every bit as clear and beautiful as elsewhere in Jamaica, incredibly so. I walked from my guesthouse toward Dead End Beach by the airport, passing a city park, two larger sandy beaches, and a tiny beach along the way. After the main shopping street, I found the "Dead End Beach" sign, but the beach itself was just a little strip of sand, much smaller than I'd expected. Locals were cleaning fish and selling drinks. I turned around and walked back past the larger beaches. It's worth coming if you want a photo of the sign, but I wouldn't go out of my way expecting something extraordinary.

This is my favorite free beach. It's picturesque, and the warm water is so calm that even babies can run around safely. The area connects to other hotels' properties, but this section is free to use, with both locals and tourists around, which makes it welcoming. You can watch planes land, enjoy music and a special from local vendors, and spend time by the water. Parking is first come, first served and at your own risk. There isn't a lot, so people park wherever it's convenient.

A free beach right by the airport landing path, which makes for a fun visit. It's clearly a local spot, and we were glad to experience it. Street vendors sell drinks like beer, soda, and water, and we felt safe there. Parking could be tricky.