Treasure Beach, Jamaica

Treasure Beach, Jamaica is a vacation destination to the island's less-traveled southern coast, an area referred to as the "desert coast" due to little rainfall and abundant sunshine. Farming and fishing are the area's big industries as more fruits and veggies come from the area than any other part of Jamaica, earning the reputation as the island's bread basket. Although Treasure Island lacks the frenetic excitement of more popular tourist areas, the area offers exotic scenery and relaxing days in the Caribbean sun. A day's itinerary can include swimming, boating, deep sea fishing, parasailing, windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, or just lounging on a beautiful beach while catching some sun.

Treasure Beach is actually a name given to an area comprising four separate bays connected by rocky outcroppings. Billy's Bay is a great beach for plopping down a towel and soaking up the sun during a relaxing day of not doing much of anything. Frenchman's Bay is a great spot if you have small children, due to the gentle slope of the sand into the sea. Calabash Bay is a relaxing, uninhabited spot great for tanning time and book reading. Great Pedro Bay is a prime location for viewing the local fishermen heading out on their daily rounds. All of the beaches offer great snorkeling opportunities for exploring the local marine life.

The beach and surrounding mountains offer excellent opportunities for exploration on foot, by bicycle, or on horseback. There are numerous hiking trails past area farms to the nearby Santa Cruz Mountains. One favorite hike is the trip up the mountains to Lover's Leap. The area is named supposedly in remembrance of two young lovers, slaves at a local plantation, who chose to fling themselves into the sea rather than be separated while being forced back into their life of slavery. The view from atop the peak, which sits at 1700 feet above the sea, offers magnificent views of the surrounding coastline. Mountain biking enthusiasts can take advantage of the rugged terrain, or pedal along the coastal road for some unbeatable views of the sea.

There are a couple of must-see Treasure Beach attractions. The YS Waterfalls topple over 8 cascades, falling 120 feet to a pool that is a great swimming hole. A tractor ride to the falls gives visitors an up close and personal view of the fields filled with cotton, cedar trees and guango trees. You can also go for a leisurely trip down Guts River, a small, spring-fed river that flows into the sea. You can snorkel or swim in the 20-foot-deep swimming hole, or you can take a walk or relax on the usually deserted beach.

Treasure Beach is a perfect vacation spot for those who make relaxation the focal point of their trip. Stop in Nannyland, a sprawling museum with sculptures of famous black heroes. Take a drive down Bamboo Avenue, a 2½ mile road lined with bamboo trees. The trees form a canopy over the road, creating a natural tunnel perfect for a stroll on a hot day. Take a day trip to Negril and watch the famous cliff divers as they plunge into the sea. Golfers can tee it up at the Mandeville Golf Course, the oldest golf course in the western hemisphere. Treasure Beach offers relaxation as its main feature, the dream of every vacation.

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