Frenchman's Cove, Port Antonio

Frenchman's Cove is the beach people picture when they imagine the wild, green eastern end of Jamaica. Tucked into the coast a short way east of Port Antonio, it is a small, sheltered crescent of fine white sand where a cool, clear freshwater river winds out of the jungle and spills into the calm sea, framed by steep green cliffs. The mix of warm salt water and cool fresh water, the rope swing over the river mouth and the sheer prettiness of the setting make it one of the most photographed coves in the country, and it earns the attention.

The honest framing is that it belongs to a resort, so it is not the free local beach some expect. Non guests pay a modest day entry fee, generally a set rate for anyone over a young age with small children free, though the exact price changes and is to be confirmed. A beach restaurant and bar, washrooms and loungers serve the cove. It is small, so a tour group arriving can fill it, and Portland is the green, rainy parish, so a passing shower is always possible even in the dry season. Lifeguard cover is not guaranteed, and where the river meets the sea the depth changes, so watch children.

It suits couples and families who want scenery and a swim that is a little different, with the novelty of the river adding to the day. It pairs naturally with the free, lively Winnifred Beach and the jerk stands of Boston Bay close by for a full Portland day out. If you want a long, busy resort strip you should look to the west coast instead, because the appeal here is intimacy, greenery and that singular river meeting the sea.