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Home / Beaches / Jolly Beach

Jolly Beach

Пляж Джолли
Antigua and Barbuda · Beach · Bolans
high
Best month: January

Best for

Ideal for families with children thanks to calm water and gentle entry. Suitable for water sports enthusiasts, snorkelling and beach holidays with well-developed infrastructure. Not suitable for surfers — there are almost no waves.

Best month

January

Water
+27.0°C
Length
1 600 m
A long beach with white sand and calm turquoise water, located right in Bolans village. It features a gentle slope into the sea and plenty of shaded cabanas, popular for swimming and walks.
Surface
sand
Waves
calm
Entry
gentle
Description Pros & Cons Best For Features Beach & Entry Water & Waves Swim Season Safety Infrastructure Vibe Nature Activities Tips Nearby
Description
General information about the beach
A long beach with white sand and calm turquoise water, located right in Bolans village. It features a gentle slope into the sea and plenty of shaded cabanas, popular for swimming and walks.
Pros and cons
Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros

  • A mile of powdery white sand — one of Antigua-s longest beaches
  • Calm water, ideal for swimming and snorkelling
  • Well-developed infrastructure: restaurants, bars, cafes
  • Sunbed and umbrella rental
  • Water sports: kayaking, sailing, snorkelling
  • Free parking
  • Beautiful sunsets over the Caribbean Sea
  • Kids playground and volleyball court

Cons

  • The beach can be overcrowded in high season
  • Parking can be full during peak hours
  • No lifeguards on the beach
  • The beach is popular, especially among cruise ship tourists
  • Limited toilets and showers for non-resort guests
  • Sunbeds and umbrellas are paid (about $20)
  • Water can be murky after rain
Best for
Who this beach is ideal for
Ideal for families with children thanks to calm water and gentle entry. Suitable for water sports enthusiasts, snorkelling and beach holidays with well-developed infrastructure. Not suitable for surfers — there are almost no waves.
Features
What makes this beach unique
The beach is part of the Jolly Beach Antigua resort and is considered one of the island-s best beaches thanks to its length and width. It is the longest and widest beach in Antigua with a mile of powdery white sand.
Beach & Entry
Surface, sand, water entry and bottom
Surface Type
Main surface type
sand
Sand Color
Main sand colour
white
Sand Texture
Grain size
powdery
Water Entry
How steep the drop-off is
gentle
Shallow Distance
Metres to waist-deep water
30 m
Bottom Type
Main bottom type
sand
Water Shoes
Whether special footwear is needed
not needed
Beach Length
Beach length in metres
1 600 m
Water & Waves
Colour, clarity, temperature and waves
Water Colour
turquoise
Water Clarity
high
Underwater Visibility
8.0 m
Average Water Temp
+27.0 °C
Max Water Temp
+29.0 °C
Wave Type
calm
Wave Height
0.2 m
Swim Season
When the swimming season starts and ends
Season start
December
Season end
April
Best month
January
Safety
Currents, water quality, dangerous creatures, hospital
Rip Currents
Likelihood of rip currents
low
Water Quality
Water purity rating
excellent
Jellyfish Risk
Likelihood of jellyfish
low
Shark Risk
Likelihood of sharks
none
Crime Level
Overall safety level
safe
Hospital Distance
Kilometres to hospital
10.0 km
What exactly is dangerous
No serious threats. The beach is in a tourist area with regular patrolling. Standard caution is recommended and do not leave valuables unattended.
Dangerous creatures
sea urchins (near rocks)
stingrays (rare)
Insurance & Connectivity
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Infrastructure
Amenities on and near the beach
Sunbeds
Yes
Umbrellas
Yes
Showers
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Changing Rooms
Yes
Lifeguards
No
First Aid
Yes
Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
Yes
Kids Playground
Yes
Sports Ground
Yes
Restaurants Nearby
8 pcs
Best restaurants

Coconut Grill

Caribbean

Open-air bar and grill between the beach and pool with Caribbean dishes

The Palms

International

Air-conditioned buffet restaurant with a rotating international menu

Pizza Factory

Italian

Open-air pizzeria with Italian cuisine in a tropical garden

Lydia-s

Caribbean

Beachfront restaurant with Caribbean cuisine and sea views

Nearby cuisines

Caribbean

Authentic Caribbean cuisine with seafood and spices

Must try: Jerk chicken, grilled shrimp, rum punch

International

Dishes from around the world for tourists

Must try: Steaks, pasta, salads

Italian

Italian cuisine with pasta and pizza

Must try: Pizza, pasta, risotto
Vibe
Energy, crowd, silence and sunsets
Energy
active
Crowd Level
crowded
Silence Level
moderate
Sunset Quality
exceptional
Nature
Trees and natural shade
Trees on Beach
Yes
Natural Shade
moderate
Activities
Snorkelling, diving, surfing, kayaking
Snorkeling
Yes
Diving
Yes
Surfing
No
Kayaking / SUP
Yes
Tips
What to bring, best time, local rules
What to Bring
SPF50+ cream Water Towel Swimsuit Flip-flops Headwear Cash for sunbed rental Snorkel mask
Best Time to Swim
Early morning before 10:00 the water is calmest and there are fewer people. In the evening — beautiful sunsets over the Caribbean Sea.
Local Rules
Swimming is recommended only in patrolled areas. Do not leave valuables unattended. Dogs on the beach must be kept on a leash.
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Nearby
Attractions and places near the beach

Jolly Harbour Marina

Scenic marina with restaurants, shops and a golf course

Valley Church Beach

Scenic beach with The Nest restaurant 5 minutes- drive away

Darkwood Beach

Scenic beach with views of Montserrat 5 minutes- drive away

Jolly Harbour Golf Club

Scenic 18-hole golf course next to the beach

Where to stay
Hotels and apartments near the beach
Frequently asked questions
Jolly Beach: what is the water like at this beach?
At this beach, water colour — turquoise, clarity high, average temperature +27.0°C, warms up to +29.0°C in the warmest season. Check the exact temperature by month in the chart section.
Jolly Beach: what are the waves like and is it safe to swim?
Waves at this beach are — calm. Average wave height — 0.2 m. Calm water is great for families with children and those who prefer not to deal with strong swell.
Jolly Beach: what is the water entry and bottom like?
Water entry is — gentle. The shallow area extends for 30 metres from the shore. Bottom — sand. Special shoes are not required — the water entry is comfortable. The gentle slope is safe for children and inexperienced swimmers.
Jolly Beach: what kind of sand and surface does the beach have?
Beach surface — sand. Sand colour — white. Texture — powdery. Beach length — 1 600 metres.
Jolly Beach: when is the swimming season?
The swimming season starts in December. It ends in April. The best month for a holiday is January. This is when the water is warmest and the weather is most comfortable.
Jolly Beach: is it safe to swim?
Water quality is rated as excellent. Rip currents are unlikely. Jellyfish risk — low. Always watch for warning signs and follow lifeguards instructions.
Jolly Beach: which dangerous creatures live in the water?
The water contains: sea urchins (near rocks), stingrays (rare). We recommend wearing protective footwear, not touching marine life and taking care when entering the water.
Jolly Beach: what infrastructure is available on the beach?
The beach offers: sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets, changing rooms, parking, Wi-Fi, kids playground, sports ground. All amenities are listed in the "Infrastructure" section above.
Jolly Beach: are there lifeguards and a first aid station?
There are no lifeguards on the beach — be especially careful when swimming. A first aid station is available.
Jolly Beach: where can I eat near the beach?
Popular places nearby: Coconut Grill, The Palms, Pizza Factory. Cuisines available: Caribbean, International, Italian. See the "Infrastructure" section for details.
Jolly Beach: what should I bring to the beach?
We recommend bringing: SPF50+ cream, Water, Towel, Swimsuit, Flip-flops, Headwear, Cash for sunbed rental, Snorkel mask.
Jolly Beach: when is the best time to swim?
Early morning before 10:00 the water is calmest and there are fewer people. In the evening — beautiful sunsets over the Caribbean Sea.
Jolly Beach: what are the rules and restrictions on the beach?
Swimming is recommended only in patrolled areas. Do not leave valuables unattended. Dogs on the beach must be kept on a leash.
Jolly Beach: what activities are available?
The beach offers: snorkelling, diving, kayaking and SUP. See the "Activities" section above for details.
Jolly Beach: who is this beach best for?
Ideal for families with children thanks to calm water and gentle entry. Suitable for water sports enthusiasts, snorkelling and beach holidays with well-developed infrastructure. Not suitable for surfers — there are almost no waves.
Jolly Beach: what makes this beach unique?
The beach is part of the Jolly Beach Antigua resort and is considered one of the island-s best beaches thanks to its length and width. It is the longest and widest beach in Antigua with a mile of powdery white sand.
Jolly Beach: what are the pros and cons of the beach?
Pros: A mile of powdery white sand — one of Antigua-s longest beaches, Calm water, ideal for swimming and snorkelling, Well-developed infrastructure: restaurants, bars, cafes, Sunbed and umbrella rental, Water sports: kayaking, sailing, snorkelling, Free parking, Beautiful sunsets over the Caribbean Sea, Kids playground and volleyball court. Cons: The beach can be overcrowded in high season, Parking can be full during peak hours, No lifeguards on the beach, The beach is popular, especially among cruise ship tourists, Limited toilets and showers for non-resort guests, Sunbeds and umbrellas are paid (about $20), Water can be murky after rain.
Jolly Beach: what is near the beach?
Nearby you can visit: Jolly Harbour Marina, Valley Church Beach, Darkwood Beach, Jolly Harbour Golf Club. Detailed descriptions in the "Nearby" section above.
Jolly Beach: how do I get to the city of Bolans?
The beach is located near the city of Bolans. Full information about the city — hotels, restaurants, attractions, transport — is available on the city page for Bolans.

City

Bolans

Full information about the city: prices, hotels, attractions.