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8 Best All-Inclusive Resorts in Montego Bay, Ranked by Guest Ratings
Mar 7, 2026
Rating7.8Adults Only
Rating8.8Adults OnlyOne of the stronger water sports programs in the Sandals chain. Motorized sports (waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing) and glass-bottom boat rides are included — not a given across the brand. PADI scuba up to two dives/day for certified divers. Tennis courts include complimentary instruction, which is unusual.
Low-key vibe with loungers and daybeds. Drink service available. No music or DJ — the quiet counterpart to the beachfront pool. Good for late morning relaxation before the crowds build at the beach.
The social hub during the day. DJ and entertainment team active mid-morning through afternoon. Swim-up bar and large adjacent whirlpool. Gets crowded by 10:00 AM on busy weeks — claim a spot early. This is where noise and energy concentrate.
A winding, beachfront pool with Caribbean Sea views. Designed more for atmosphere and drifting than active swimming. Less crowded than the Lively Beachfront Pool during peak hours. Swim-up suite access from Crystal Lagoon categories.
The Piano Bar pool — guests can drink at the bar while staying in the water. Tends to be a social gathering point during the day and early evening. Often the loudest pool environment on property.
Multiple smaller lagoon-style pools, some exclusive to swim-up suite guests. Quieter and more private than the main pools. Guests without swim-up rooms access the general lagoon pools.
Two whirlpools beyond the one at the Lively Beachfront Pool. Available to all guests. Better for evening use when the day pools wind down.
A mile of private white-sand beach — the longest private beach in the Sandals Jamaica lineup. Reef-protected, so the water stays calmer than many north-coast Jamaica beaches. Clear and swimmable the majority of the season. Water sports are staged directly here. Loungers and umbrellas available; cabana rentals also possible. The Beach Bar and The Mariner are positioned for beachside food and drink service. Seaweed (sargassum) can affect the beach seasonally, particularly July–October — less reliably clear than in the dry season.
Accessible via complimentary short ferry as part of the 'Stay at 1, Play at 2' program. A small private island with a swim-up bar and private cabanas. A genuinely different experience from the main beach — quieter, more remote-feeling. Worth a half-day visit. Ferry schedule is fixed; check with the concierge for departure times.
PADI-certified scuba, up to two dives per day. All equipment included. Professional dive staff. Montego Bay has accessible dive sites including reef and wreck options. The dive boat goes out on a schedule — confirm times at the dive shack on arrival.
Included motorized water sport. Scheduled time slots — check the daily activity board. Calm bay conditions are good for beginners.
Included. More technical than water skiing — instruction is available if you haven't done it before.
Towed tubing, included. The most accessible motorized water sport for non-swimmers or guests who want the water without the skill requirement.
Small sailboats available from the beach. Equipment and guidance included. Good wind conditions in Montego Bay for actual sailing.
Stand-up paddleboarding from the beach. Included. The calm, reef-protected beach water is ideal for SUP.
Single and double kayaks, included. Available from the beach throughout the day.
Equipment included. The reef near the beach has moderate marine life. Better snorkeling is accessible on the Island Routes catamaran excursion.
Equipment and instruction included. Trade winds provide consistent conditions.
Included — one of the few Sandals properties where this is in the package. Scheduled trips; check the water sports desk for departure times.
Day and night courts with a meaningful differentiator: complimentary instruction from certified instructors is included. Most Sandals properties include courts but not lessons.
Courts available. Equipment provided. Growing demand — early morning slots are the easiest to get.
Courts on property. Included. Informal pickup games, no organized leagues.
Beach courts, staff organize games at scheduled times. Check the daily activity sheet.
Available. Casual, good for downtime.
Life Fitness equipment — treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, free weights. 24-hour access, included.
Yoga, aerobics, Zumba, aqua-cise, stretching, and morning power walks. All included, rotating schedule.
Evening entertainment runs daily. Theme nights (Reggae Fest, Jamaican Jamboree, Caribbean Beach Party, White Night) rotate through the week.
The Piano Bar transitions to a nightclub format after the entertainment set. Included. Active until late.
Weekly rotation includes Reggae Fest, Jamaican Jamboree, Caribbean Beach Party, White Night, and beach barbecues. Check the weekly schedule at check-in.
Additional fee. Beginner resort course for guests without certification — confined water skills then a supervised open-water dive.
Additional fee. Full certification course over multiple days. Book in advance if this is a primary goal.
Additional fee. Surface-supplied air for shallow underwater exploration without a scuba certification.
Additional fee. Bamboo rafting on the Martha Brae River, catamaran cruises, ATV adventures, cultural village tours, and Dunn's River Falls trips are the most popular. Book through the concierge; some sell out days in advance during peak season.
Additional fee. Beach or garden setting, customized menu, dedicated service. Reserve well in advance for Valentine's weekend and Christmas week.
