Walter Fletcher Beach (Aquasol): sargassum today
First bulletin for this beach lands with tomorrow morning’s update.
Walter Fletcher Beach, better known as Aquasol, occupies the southern corner of Montego Bay, minutes from the town centre. It is a laid-out beach park, popular with families for its shallow water.
Here you can follow sargassum at Walter Fletcher Beach: a daily rating from 0 to 5, a map of the Montego Bay sector, and an update every morning. The aim fits in one line, namely knowing before you arrive whether the swimming area is clear.
Walter Fletcher Beach (Aquasol) on the sargassum map
What to know about this beach
Few beaches on the north coast sit as deep inside their bay. Facing west at the very head of Montego Bay, this one stacks up protections: the width of Jamaica keeps away the sargassum rafts carried by the easterly trades, the reef line takes the sting out of incoming swell, and the curve of the bay absorbs what remains.
The flip side of that shelter is limited mixing. In a corner of a bay, water turns over more slowly than along an open shore, so weed brought in on a current can sit in front of the beach for a few days. Conversely, anything arriving from open water reaches this point weakened and late, usually after the beaches nearer the bay mouth.
Frequently asked questions
Does Walter Fletcher Beach get sargassum?
It is one of the more sheltered spots in Montego Bay. Set at the head of the bay on a north coast shielded from the easterly trades, it sees arrivals rarely, and usually in weakened form.
How do I check before bringing the children?
The FanGass map on this page gives Walter Fletcher Beach a rating from 0 to 5 every morning. Look at it before setting off: it tells you whether the waterline and swimming area are clear.
Why is the water so calm here?
The beach tucks into the southern corner of the bay, behind the shelter of the reefs and away from prevailing swell. That layout explains both the small waves and the low frequency of significant landings.
Should I compare other Montego Bay beaches?
Yes, if you are undecided. Doctor's Cave Beach and Dead End Beach, further north along the same bay, are tracked separately and can show a different level on the same morning.