Treasure Beach
Treasure Beach is the name given to a string of four coves along the South Coast where a ribbon of fishing villages send out fishermen to fish the Pedro Keys. These coves are named Billy's Bay, Frenchman's Bay, Calabash Bay and Great Pedro Bay going South from the Black River area.
About Treasure Beach
The story is that Treasure Beach got its name from Dr. Brown, a Black River doctor who owned a hotel in Frenchman's Bay which he named the Treasure Beach Hotel.The famous "Jakes", an eclectic and offbeat member of the Chris Blackwell "Island Outpost" group put the area on the map by with an Internet presence touting the pricy digs in an otherwise inexpensive location in Jamaica to take a vacation. "Jakes" is operated by Sally and Jason Henzell, a mother and son team. The late, famous Director and Jason's father, Perry Henzell along with Chris Blackwell produced the classic movie "The Harder They Come".
Places to See
Lovers Leap
The legend of Lovers Leap is based around the romance of two slaves who to prevent separation from each other jumped from a 1700' cliff. The cliff, the spot, and the view are all part of the story told daily from the balcony of the Chardley Restaurant by our representatives. The view, one of the most spectacular on our island, offer visitors a panoramic view of the coastline from Rocky Point, Clarendon in the east, to Pedro Bluff, Treasure Beach in the west and the mountains acts as a backdrop to complete the view. The view from the balcony is clear and the tranquility that one feels become tangible as birds slowly float by on warm air currents.
| Thursday | 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Friday to Sunday | 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. |
Many places to view near the restaurant as well. Ask a local.
Spur Tree Hill and Lookout
Spur Tree is a mountainous region between the parishes of Manchester and St. Elizabeth. Historians say it was named for the giant Cotton trees that used to grow in the area. Those trees sprouted huge outcroppings called "spurs" and hence the name stuck to the area. The city of Mandeville sits at the top of the Don Figueroa Mountains and the Spur Tree Hill rises from the plains of St. Elizabeth to the summit. This is a view that truly needs to be viewed at night when the lights of the Alpart Bauxite Plant twinkle in the distance like a small city.
Gut River
The name "Gut" River is said to derive from the German word for good and good is how you will feel on a hot day when you dive into the cold, upwelling spring water barely 200 yards from the ocean. Gut River is located about 5 miles East of Alligator Pond 10 miles West of Alligator Hole River near Milk River Bath. In 2006 the quiet and narrow coastal road was resurfaced to allow ordinary cars to pass when only 4WD vehicles had been recommended. There is a snack shack/bar on the property and there was a small charge to keep the place clean as it is very popular with local Jamaicans on weekends and holidays. This is an "off the beaten path" kind of place not widely known by tourists.
Long Bay Morass
Projected to become a National Park, the Long Bay Morass occupies the entire 15 mile stretch of coastline (which includes Gut River) East of Alligator Pond ending at the Alligator Hole in Canoe Valley. Many consider this the most interesting and beautiful drive in Jamaica with at times having sheer wall cliffs on one side and a mangrove swamp on the other. Wildlife sightings of many varieties of birds and domestic cows and goats come at every turn.
Fishing Villages of Treasure Beach
A generic name for the four coves - Great Pedro Bay, Calabash Bay, Frenchman's Bay and Billy's Bay occupying the Southwest coast of Jamaica. If you are looking for authentic fishing villages which offer an offbeat opportunity for tourists to vacation amongst the average hard-working Jamaicans, then you have found your spot! Lots of small guest houses and hotels as well as good places to eat can be found in all of the coves but Frenchman's is the best known and has more to offer the vacationer. A good day trip option could be a fishing boat trip to Black River and a personal safari up the Great Morass or, for those who love the sea, a trip out to the sandbar for a picnic, swimming and sun tanning.