Darkwood Beach

Darkwood Beach sits just to the south of Jolly Harbour and its resort village. Situated on Half Hyde Bay, it forms part of the sandbar carrying Valley Road and separating the waters of the Caribbean Sea from those of a large lagoon.

Approximately 300 metres in length, the white sand at Darkwood Beach is widest at its southernmost end, tapering to a point halfway along the sandbar. Loose rocks speckle the sand at its extremities, but the central portions of the beach are free of obstacles both above and below the waterline.

Backed by low hills and tropical woodland, views can stretch as far as the neighbouring island of Montserrat, although few will be able to tear their eyes away from the incredible blue of the waves as they come to shore.

Sunbathing, swimming and scuba diving are all on the cards at Darkwood Beach, with a good number of amenities serving those who come to discover it for themselves. These include a bar-restaurant, restrooms, showers and sports rentals. During the low season, beachgoers mostly consist of passengers from the cruise ships docking nearby, while the high season sees many local residents enjoying the shallows.

Because of a large offshore reef, the waves that come to shore are calm, making the beach a good choice for visitors with younger children keen to get their feet wet.