(updated July 2022)
If you are looking for a quiet beach that is local to Ocho Rios, then Pleasure Cove should be on your radar. Pleasure Cove is a privately managed beach just outside of Ocho Rios, that has delicious food, is beautifully maintained and to my surprise, FREE to enter.
Nestled on the western side of the White River Bay’, it boasts white sand, calm water, and a bar and restaurant with delicious food and excellent customer service. If you want a beach to while away the hours in semi-seclusion but with all the conveniences, give Pleasure Cove a try.
What Can You Do At Pleasure Cove Beach Jamaica?
Aside from the pristine white sand beach to lounge on, there is a bar and restaurant, washrooms, sun loungers (to rent for JA$500 / US$5), a volleyball net, and cool shady Sea Grape and Almond Trees with a rope swing.
The beach wasn’t overcrowded but was enjoyed by a fair amount of locals and visitors to the island. We had no problem finding a spot near the water where we made ourselves at home after buying some drinks from the bar.
The only ‘drawback’ to Pleasure Cove is that it shares the beach (White River Bay) with Couples San Souci Hotel guests, who dominate about 80% of the beach. However there is a screen running down the sand to give privacy to persons on both sides and after a while of getting used to seeing it there, it didn’t impact the enjoyment of the beach.
Please Note: There is NO Lifeguard on duty at Pleasure Cove Beach – Swim at your own risk! However, there is a Lifeguard manning the neighboring property at Couples San Souci, who I am sure would help if the need arose!
Pleasure Cove Restaurant and Bar
There is a great restaurant and bar at Pleasure Cove Beach where the food is really delicious and the customer service is excellent. The staff went out of their way to make the experience memorable for us by bringing a table down to the waterfront so we could eat our food looking out at the sea.
There was quite a lot of choice on the menu and a good mixture of Jamaican mains and seafood. Although it was noted that the Jerk chicken seemed to be catered to tourists’ milder palate and the seafood was expensive.
Despite the Jerk chicken not being as spicy as anticipated, we all enjoyed the food at Pleasure Cove. As in we literally, finished everything on our plates!
TIP! We would all highly recommend the steamed bammy and fried plantain if you can’t decide which side orders to have.
What We Ordered at Pleasure Cove Beach Restaurant
- Fried (ripe) Plantain
- Steamed Bammy
- Stir Fry Vegetables
- Fried Chicken and Fries
- Listed (clockwise from top centre)
What We Ordered at Pleasure Cove Beach Restaurant
- Jerk Chicken
- Steamed Bammy
- Listed from left to right
Directions to Pleasure Cove Beach – Saint Mary
ADDRESS: Pleasure Cove, White River Bay, A3 Main Road, White River, Saint Mary
WALKING: Unless you are up for a 4.3km hike literally along the side of the busy A3 Main Road from Ocho Rios Town Centre (Clock Tower), I would take a ride to reach this beach. Please be aware if you do want to walk, there is NO pavement/sidewalk for much of the journey – so always walk facing the direction of the traffic!
TAXI: From Ocho Rios, you will need to get a taxi going in the direction of Oracabessa. It won’t cost you any more than JA$130 if you use a route taxi from the Ocho Rios Bus Park, or stand on the side of the road in the direction of the beach and flag down a taxi going to Oracabessa / Port Maria. Tell the driver you are going to Pleasure Cove and they will let you off at the security gate; you will need to walk down the slip road to the beach entrance – approximately a 10-minute walk. A chartered taxi will cost considerably more!
DRIVING: From Ocho Rios, follow the A3 out of the town centre, towards Oracabessa. You will pass over a bridge spanning the ‘White River’, directly after you cross the bridge look out on the left-hand side for a large sign marked ‘Pleasure Cove’. Drive through the security gate and follow the road to your right. You will see another sign directing you to the Pleasure Cove car park a few more minutes down the slip road.
From Oracabessa: Follow the A3 towards Ocho Rios. You will pass through ‘Prospect’, where you will see the sign for ‘YaaMan Adventures’ and the Police Station on your left-hand side. Couples San Souci Hotel will be on your right-hand side. Keep looking on the right-hand side for a large sign marked ‘Pleasure Cove’, just before the bridge spanning the White River. Drive through the security gate and follow the road to your right. You will see another sign directing you to the Pleasure Cove car park a few more minutes down the slip road.
FAQs About Pleasure Cove Beach
Everything you always wanted to ask about Pleasure Cove Beach, located just outside of Ocho Rios.
Is Pleasure Cove Beach Free?
Yes! Entry is FREE!
Can I Park At Pleasure Cove Beach?
Yes! There is FREE on-site parking in an unpaved car park
Can I Buy Food At Pleasure Cove Beach?
Yes! The restaurant serves delicious food with excellent customer service. The seafood was pricey but well seasoned, the Jerk chicken was very mild flavored. Highly recommend the steamed bammy!
Can You Buy Vegan Food At Pleasure Cove Beach?
Limited choice, but tasty! You can order Stir-Fried Vegetables and there are lots of side orders to choose from like fries, bammy, plantain, and fried dumplings.
Is There A Bar At Pleasure Cove Beach?
Yes! There are alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks sold in the bar.
Are There Restrooms At Pleasure Cove Beach?
Yes! There is a restroom inside the restaurant/bar.
Is Pleasure Cove Beach Family Friendly?
Yes! However, you may see persons smoking Marijuana.
Is Pleasure Cove Beach Wheelchair Accessible?
Yes, there is a ramp leading onto the beach, although the car park is unpaved and uneven in places.
