Courtesy of Island Buzz Jamaica:
Jamaica is one of the most sought-after destinations in the Caribbean and the world. The island’s stunning natural beauty and an alluring cultural appeal have been wooing travelers all over the world for decades. Part of its charm is the abundance of access to sparkling shores and tranquil turquoise waters. Jamaica is filled with seductive coves, cays and bays. For travelers interested in visiting them, here is a list of 5 of the most enchanting:
Lime Cay
Fifteen minutes by boat from the famous former pirate haunt Port Royal is a small, low-lying island cay with one of the most beautiful beaches in Jamaica. The largest of the many small cays off the coast of Port Royal, Lime Cay is a part of Jamaica uninhabitable by humans because it is occasionally submerged when the tide comes in. Lime Cay, and the beaches there are public and open to all who can get out there. Seclusion and privacy are part of the draw to Jamaica’s beaches, and Lime Cay offers a taste of off the beaten path travel without taking you too far away from the city.
On Sundays, Lime Cay is the favourite beach getaway for Jamaicans who reside in and around Kingston, many of whom moor their boats at the Morgan’s Harbour Marina and sail out for the afternoon with lunch and refreshments, since there are no facilities on the island. From Morgan’s Harbour, a shuttle or boat rental for the day can be arranged, but for the intrepid visitors, a small fee will convince a fisherman in the town of Port Royal to give you a ride to the island in the morning and return for you in the evening. About half of the area is wooded, the rest is sand and coral. It has no infrastructure except for a small open building used for the preparation and selling of food. Cold drinks and cooked Jamaican food are available at the weekend but not during the week, there are picnic tables and shaded areas.
Frenchman’s Cove
Port Antonio, on Jamaica’s eastern coast, is snugly located between the Blue Mountains and the Caribbean Sea. The area is still, thankfully considered relatively virgin territory and Frenchman’s Cove is a perfectly secluded spot that will make you fall in love with the water instantly. One of the most beautiful beaches in The Caribbean, let alone Jamaica this white-sanded shore, set against a magnificent backdrop of exotic tropical gardens and crystal-clear mountain streams, is so idyllic; it’s no wonder it was featured in the major motion pictures Club Paradise and Treasure Island.
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Frenchman’s Cove is tucked between two rocky bluffs and consists of a lagoon which meanders around a bar of sand from one direction while the sea barrels in from the other, pinched between two tiny headlands that are overhung with greenery – giving the beach a luminous green light. Visitors pay a small fee for entry but it is well worth it. You enter through some lush gardens, which then open up into a gorgeous little secluded beach cove. It also has a fresh water river flowing into the beach. Lots of fish in the river, as well as a rope and swing for the kids to play with. There’s also a jerk hut on the beach with drinks and food made to order, as well very clean bathrooms.
Treasure Beach
Complete with charming fishing villages, miles of untamed beaches, excellent food, magnificent panoramic views over deep blue sea, wooded valleys and old plantations (to name a few) the rustic South Coast of Jamaica is a piece of paradise lesser traveled than the more popular North Coast. A mixture of dark and white-sand stretches, rocky coves, fishermen’s enclaves and secluded swimming spots, the South Coast’s shores promise a range of possibilities. A favourite beach community of both locals and visitors alike is Treasure Beach.
Set against a background of lush greenery, Treasure Beach is a six-mile stretch of coral-coloured and sometimes black sands, private coves and rocky shores. For travellers who want to discover the South Coast’s vibrant local culture and people and are in search of untrodden beaches, a visit to one of Treasure Beach’s five main bays – Billy, Calabash, Great, Fort Charles and Frenchman’s– is a must. In Calabash Bay, friendly fishermen dock their brightly painted canoes and unload the day’s catch. Visitors swarm, waiting patiently at beachfront cafes and stands, so they can be first to enjoy it – soon to be seasoned and grilled to perfection. All lovely, laid-back stretches are well-suited for swimming, snorkeling, biking, hiking, surfing, and of course, the mellow vibes of kicking back in the sun with a cold one in hand.
Dolphin Cove
With two locations (in Ocho Rios and in Lucea, Hanover) Dolphin Cove is Jamaica’s number one marine attraction. It has all the makings of a great family adventure; offering the excitement of interacting with not only bottlenose dolphins, but stingrays, snakes, iguanas and a host of colourful tropical birds as well!
The magnificent Ocho Rios property has a natural cove which is surrounded by 5 acres of lush tropical rain forest. Visitors have the opportunity to interact and “Swim With” dolphins, enjoying the thrill and love of these amazing lovable animals. Visitors can also swim with, hold, feed and learn about the evolutionary secrets of the Caribbean sharks. The 20 acre property in Lucea is the largest natural dolphin lagoon in the world. Dolphin Cove is tailored to your tastes, offering various programs which feature different levels of interaction with the dolphins, from touching the dolphins as they swim pass your feet to being dragged through the lagoon, holding on to their fins. The dolphins really communicate with you, even allowing you to hug them and rub their bellies.
Bloody Bay
Jamaica’s “Capital of Casual” Negril on the island’s intoxicating North Coast has been blessed with two shimmering beaches, one stretching seven crystal white sand miles and the other equally enchanting. Located just north of a slice of land jutting out towards Booby Cay is Bloody Bay – one of Negril’s most picturesque beaches. There is some debate about how the beach claimed its name. Some argue it was the site of a vicious pirate battle, but most believe hunters used to massacre whales there, turning the sea blood-red. Shrouded by this seemingly dark past, Bloody Bay still mystifies and intrigues beachgoers with its beauty.
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In the 18th century, this hidden treasure was a safe haven for pirates, most notably the infamous “Calico” Jack Rackham, (given this name due to his penchant for wearing calico undergarments), and his equally bloodthirsty women pirates, Anne Bonney and Mary Read. They are said to have frequented this pirate hideaway right up until their capture by the British in 1720. Once a trade secret, this secluded stretch is lined today with a string of all-inclusive properties, including two Riu Hotels, SuperClubs flagship Grand Lido Negril, Couples Negril and a private beach at Sunset at the Palms. However, these sugary white sands and azure waters are not just accessible to resort guests. Many patches are still open to the public.
