It's summer - hit the beaches

Martin Baxter, Gleaner Writer

School is out and summer is finally here. Sunshine and scorching temperatures signal the beginning of the holiday season, and if you're in search of beaches to go to cool off, play in the sand and picnic with the family, then our comprehensive list of the island's Urban Development Corporation-managed beaches and attractions is a must read.

Whether you're in Morant Point, Negril or anywhere in between, if it's a day out you want, we have you covered.

Why don't you pack up the family, grab a road map and go exploring the list of beaches below? Check them out:

1 Aqua Sol (Walter Fletcher), Montego Bay, is open every day from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and 9 a.m.-midnight on weekends. Fees: J$300 Adults: $200 children (3-11).

2 Bluefields Beach, Westmoreland, is open every day from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fees: J$50 to use the facility; $100 to use shower.

3 Dunn's River, Ocho Rios, St Ann is open every day from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Residents' fees: J$600 for adults: $300 for children 4-12 years old. Non-residents: US$20 for adults and US$10 for children 4-12 years old.

4 Fort Clarence Beach, Hellshire, St Catherine, is open Wednesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m; Saturday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Fees: J$200 Adults and $100 for children 4-12 years old.

5 Green Grotto Caves, St Ann, is open every day from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Residents' fees: J$500 for Adults and $200 for children 4-12 years old. Non-residents: US$20 for adults and US$10 for children 4-12 years old.

6 Long Bay Beach Park, Negril, Westmoreland, is open daily from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Fees: J$100 for adults and $50 for children on normal days, and J$200 for adults and $100 for children on holidays.

7 Ocho Rios Bay Beach, St Ann, is open every day from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fees: J$200 for adults and $100 for children ages 2-11 years old.

8 Reach Falls in Manchioneal, Portland, is open Wednesday-Sunday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All public holidays the fees are JA$300 for adults and $150 for children 4-12 years old.

9 Turtle River Park, Ocho Rios, St Ann, is open Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-8 p.m. It's open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. There is no entry fee.

10 Two Sisters Caves, Hellshire, St Catherine, is open from Wednesday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. All public holidays, the fees: J$200 for adults and $150 children under 12.

Beaches by parish

• Westmoreland

• Whitehouse

• Bluefields Beach Park

• Fort

• Little Bay

• Negril

• Long Bay

• HANOVER

• Bloody Bay

• Lances Bay

• Bull's Bay

• Waston Taylor Park

• Tryall

• Orchard

• ST JAMES

• Walter Fletcher

• Doctor's Cave

• Cornwall

• Sunset

• Tropical

• Ironshore

• Mahoe Bay

• Coral Gardens

• Rose Hall Beach Club

• Greenwood

• TRELAWNY

• Flamingo

• Victoria Park

• Burwood

• Silver Sands

• Braco

• Rio Bueno

• ST ANN

• Puerto Seco

• Cardiff Hall

• Salem

• Llandovery

• Priory

• Roxborough

• Dunn's River Falls

• Sailor's Hole

• Turtle Beach

• ST MARY

• Rio Nuevo

• Murdock

• James Bond

• Pagee

• Frontier

• Annotto Bay

• PORTLAND

• Orange Bay

• Rodney Hall

• Hope Bay

• Hermitage

• Wydah

• St Margaret's Bay

• Bryan's Bay

• Navy Island

• Folly

• Drapers

• Blue Hole

• Winifred's Rest

• Boston

• Long Bay

• Innis Bay

• ST THOMAS

• Rocky Point

• Prospect

• Retreat

• Lyssons

• Mezgars Run

• ST ANDREW

• Copacabana

• Brookes Pen

• KINGSTON

• Gunboat

• Buccaneer

• ST CATHERINE

• Port Henderson

• Fort Clarence

• Hellshire Bay

• Marine Terminal

• CLARENDON

• Jackson Bay

• Farquhars

• MANCHESTER

• Gust River

• Hudson Bay

• Alligator Pond

• ST ELIZABETH

• Great Bay

• Calabash Bay

• Billy's Bay

• Fort Charles

• Parottee

• Fullers wood

• Crane

• Galleon

• Font Hill