Hampstead Beach

Hampstead is a sequence of three bays separated by low headlands on the north coast, with dark grey-gold sand, a river coming out at one end and coconut palms behind, and the middle bay was used for filming in the second Pirates of the Caribbean picture, which is how most visitors first hear of it. The Atlantic breaks directly on these beaches and the water is rougher than the western coast. There are no facilities at any of the three.

What you actually see

• The three bays - linked coves separated by low headlands.
• The dark sand - the grey-gold volcanic beach of the north coast.
• The film location - the middle bay used in the second Pirates picture.
• The river mouth - the stream running out across the sand at one end.

When to go

December to April is calmest. Winter Atlantic swell makes swimming dangerous at times. There is no shade except under the palms.

Honest expectations

Currents on this coast are strong and swimming is risky when swell is up. There are no facilities, shade structures or lifeguards. Access tracks are rough and unmarked.

Nearby

Batibou Beach is east, and Calibishie is beyond it.