Jolly Harbour, with its namesake beach, is considered the most luxurious resort in Antigua and Barbuda and bears comparison with resorts in the USA. The gated community includes several hotel resorts and hundreds of cottages for longer-term rentals to tourists.

Jolly Beach - discount beachfront apartments

There is also a marina full of luxury yachts and of course a beautiful spacious beach.

Beach facilities and public access

With a length of over 800 metres, Jolly Beach is the longest on the island of Antigua and one of the most visited. Even so, you'll find plenty of space to yourself here and the northern end of the beach in particular tends to be crowded.

The northern end of the beach is more amenity-poor - you'll find a sunbed and umbrella rental shop (20 usd per day per set) and 2 small bars at the beginning of the beach.

The southern part is neater and there are more upmarket bars, but some services (such as sunbed hire or some watersports on offer) are only available to guests of the adjacent resort.

The entrance to the water at Jolly Beach is gradual and the sea is usually very calm. The bottom is not indented and therefore Jolly Beach is not very suitable for snorkelling.

Access to the beach is free and for everyone, not just guests staying at Jolly Harbour.

Accommodation in Jolly Harbour

Accommodation in Jolly Harbour is not cheap, but for the price you get a very well maintained resort with facilities, a beautiful beach and a peaceful environment. However, most accommodation will offer villas for multiple people, so prices per person per night range from 55 eur 73 eur .

Examples include the highly rated Pimento Villa apartments, while the cheapest accommodation is provided by Harbour Island Residences or Sugarfields Villa.

Services and facilities at Jolly Harbour

The town will offer several restaurants, mostly of a more expensive and upmarket nature. The local marina has several agencies offering boat trips, diving and yacht hire.

The centre of Jolly Harbour is a very well equipped Epicurean supermarket, which also has a pharmacy and three ATMs.

Transport to Jolly Harbour and parking

Jolly Harbour is on the west coast and is accessible via the main Valley Road from Saint John's. This road is new for much of its route and is one of the best in the country.

Book a car at Antigua Airport

Public access is free with no restrictions to the area around the supermarket. The villas and hotels themselves can only be accessed by their guests through a guarded gatehouse. However, there is also a large car park for the general public marked as "Beach Parking". Parking here is free and without time limit.

Jolly Harbour can also be reached by bus/microbus. Lines 20 and 22 leave from St. John's West Bus Station every 5 to 20 minutes on average and the fare to the capital is 2,75 xcd. The buses do not go directly to Jolly Harbour but stop on the main road at the junction (location at google.com/maps), from where you have to walk about 1 km to the beach.