Treasure Beach

Treasure Beach, on Jamaica’s south coast, is wonderfully old-fashioned, a side of the island that is all but lost in other regions. Dark sands lead onto clean white beaches, fishermen go about their business at a typically Jamaican pace, and coves make for secluded swimming spots. The beach is a six-mile stretch of coral-tinted sand that comprises four main coves. Billy’s Bay, Frenchman’s Bay, Calabash Bay, and Great Bay are all different but equally beautiful. The most central, and most popular, is Frenchman’s, with its palm-fringed sands just a short stroll from downtown Treasure Beach. (If planning a visit here with small children, beware the strong currents, which make this spot unsuitable for weak swimmers.) In Calabash Bay, fisherman unload their catch from boldly colored canoes. Their wares can be enjoyed at the many beachfront cafés and restaurants, which serve authentic Jamaican seafood dishes that couldn’t be any fresher. Here, the waves lap gently on the soft sands, making Calabash a more appropriate swimming spot for families with small children. The many bays and inlets that mark coastline can be explored underwater, with snorkeling gear, or on land by bike and on foot. The beautiful shoreline of remote Billy’s Bay is relatively underdeveloped, and thought the local people rise early to make the most of the day, the pace is slow, so don’t feel the need to rush to breakfast. Take in the natural beauty and watch until the sun sets as fisherman draw up their nets.