Can you really enjoy a beautiful Jamaican beach day in the middle of Kingston?
Yes!
Kingston, Jamaica’s capital city, is famous for its lively music and party scene. Many tourists make a trip to Kingston to see the famed birthplace of reggae music and sometimes to trek through the Jamaican Blue Mountains. Hardly anyone has their minds on beautiful Jamaican beach scenery while navigating the hustle and bustle of Kingston city (we’ll leave that exclusively to Jamaica’s north coast!). But here’s a local’s tip: Kingston DOES have beautiful beaches. Lime Cay is the best example and possibly my favourite Jamaican beach in Kingston.
What’s even better? Like it is at Jake’s Resort, you won’t have to contend with many other tourists while you’re there!
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Real Jamaican Vibe
This small cay off the shore of Kingston, Jamaica gives you a sense of seclusion and privacy and is the very reason many locals enjoy spending a relaxing Sunday there. Let’s not forget to mention that the water is absolutely blue and the sand white and flawless. If you’re lucky you could even have the beach entirely to yourself!
Imagine having Lime Cay all to yourself!
How to Get to Lime Cay
To get to Lime Cay you’ll have to travel to the small fishing village of Port Royal. The easiest landmark to spot en route to this town is Kingston’s airport, the Norman Manley International Airport. From the airport, the town is just a 12-minute car drive (19 minutes by bus) away.
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After arriving in Port Royal, you’ll find a local seafood restaurant called Y-Knot. Boats leave daily from the restaurant and cost $12 U.S Dollars/ $1500 Jamaican Dollars for a round way boat trip per adult (kids $500 JMD). A 10-minute boat ride in a 30-seater fishing boat (fully stocked with lifejackets) will land you right on this beautiful little cay in the middle of the ocean.
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Waiting to get on the fisherman’s boat at Y-Knot
Arriving at Lime Cay
What Should You Do?
The wonderful blue waters of the Caribbean Sea wash the shores of the small cay and welcomes all its visitors. Lay a towel out on the sand right next to the shore to enjoy and fully soak in the sun rays. If sunbathing isn’t your forte you can walk a bit further inward where mangroves overgrow the landscape and create some shade.
Sitting on driftwood enjoying the view of Kingston
Walking around the cay takes no longer than fifteen minutes but reveals much beautiful waterscape scenery. You’ll even get a glimpse of Kingston and its main shipping harbour!
Walking along the beach
Of course the most obvious thing to do while at any beach is to take a dip!
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Swimming at Lime Cay
Enjoying the warm Caribbean Sea at Lime Cay
Top Tips!
Although many locals do visit the small cay, there are no established restaurants, bars or snack shops. Thus, for any trip to Lime Cay I’d suggest bringing your own cooler with ice, drinks (alcohol if you like) and your own snacks, food and towels.
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If you’re a fan of water sports/activities Lime Cay is also the perfect place to have a little beach fun. A popular activity on the cay is snorkelling as it offers some of the best underwater sights on the south-eastern coast of Jamaica. I’ve even seen a few people kite-surfing. However, like I previously mentioned, you’ll have to bring your own water activity gear for full enjoyment.
How Long Should You Stay?
A trip to Lime Cay can last anywhere from a couple of hours to a full day. Regardless of which option you choose, boats will always be available to take you back to Port Royal (every 30 minutes) up until sunset. If you’re truly seeking a lazy beach day I’d certainly suggest staying a full day. You’ll even have the bonus of watching the sunset from the boat as you make your way back!
Boat returning for beach visitors at sunset
Fisherman waiting by his boat
People getting on the boat
Heading back to Kingston in the fisherman’s boat
Sunset from the boat back to Kingston
Fisherman steering the boat back to Kingston
A Worthwhile Beach Trip
When planning your trip to Jamaica remember that you don’t have to sacrifice the Jamaican white-sand beaches of the north coast just to visit Kingston. You can in-fact enjoy the best of both worlds: City-life with a touch of sun-filled beach fun!
Would you visit Lime Cay? Let me know in the comments!
Traveling to Jamaica? Don’t miss these articles!
The Bob Marley Museum: Kingston’s Ode to the King of Reggae
A Local’s Guide to Jamaica: Great Huts Resort | Boston Bay, Portland
A Local’s Guide to Jamaica: Jakes Resort | Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth
A Local’s Guide to Jamaica: Serendipity Holistic Resort | Blue Mountains, St. Andrew
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I haven’t been to Lime cay in years such a shame. Let me begin planning a trip right this minute