Martin's Bay Beach

A small fishing village on the St John coast, south of Bathsheba, where the boats bring in fish and lobster every day. The beach is gritty sand scattered with coloured rocks and shells, lined with coconut palms, with rugged rock formations at the northern end. The Bay Tavern on the bay serves fresh grilled fish, such as marlin, snapper and mahi-mahi, at picnic tables looking out to sea. It's open through the week, but Thursday's seafood lime is the one to come for.

A reef close to shore breaks the Atlantic waves and leaves shallow pools between the rocks, good for soaking and paddling, and it's generally safe to swim and snorkel if you stay close in. Beyond the reef the currents and undertow are strong, so don't head out. The waves are too unreliable for proper surfing. From the southern end, a trail along the old railway line follows the cliffs south to Bath Beach.