Things To Do in Treasure Beach
Explore Treasure Beach, Jamaica
Located in the parish of St. Elizabeth, Treasure Beach earned its work ethic from generations of hard-working fisherman and farmers who believed, "In this parish, we work, not shirk." The community of Treasure Beach, Jamaica is not only known for their work ethic, but they are also recognized as being the friendliest people you'll ever find in Jamaica. Because Treasure Beach receives the least amount of rainfall on the island, the landscape is commonly referred to and known as "the desert coast of Jamaica." Regardless of the lack of precipitation, farming is a big industry in Treasure Beach and provides more vegetables and fruits to the island than any other parish.
The short version: the five trips worth making from Treasure Beach are Floyd’s Pelican Bar, YS Falls, Black River Safari, Lovers Leap and Appleton Estate. All are half-day or day trips. Everything else worth doing here involves the beach, the food, and doing very little — which is genuinely the point of the south coast.
At a glance
| Where | Time needed | Distance from Treasure Beach | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Floyd’s Pelican Bar | Half a day | Boat from the shore, roughly 20–25 minutes out | The one unmissable thing here |
| Black River Safari | Half a day | About 1 hour by road | Crocodiles, mangroves, birdlife |
| YS Falls | Half to full day | About 1 hour by road | Families, swimming, zip line |
| Lovers Leap | 2–3 hours | About 30 minutes by road | The view, the lighthouse |
| Appleton Estate | Most of a day | About 1.5 hours by road | Rum, and a scenic inland drive |
Entry fees and boat rates change, so ask our staff for current prices rather than relying on figures published elsewhere. Our driver can take you to any of these.
How much to plan
One or two proper excursions across a week works far better than five in a row. The drives are longer than the map suggests, the roads are rural, and guests who schedule something every day tend to arrive back tired and slightly beside the point.
Most people find the rhythm settles into an outing every second or third day, with the rest given over to the beach, the pool and long lunches.
Things that cost nothing
- Walking the four coves. Six miles of coastline from Billy’s Bay to Great Pedro Bay, and you will rarely share it.
- Watching the fishing boats come in. Early morning, on any of the beaches.
- Buying fish off the beach and having it cooked for dinner.
- Roadside farm stands. Fruit and vegetables picked that day.
- Sunset. It arrives quickly here and it is the event of the day.
A word on swimming: the sea has a real undertow, particularly at the western end, and there are no lifeguards anywhere along this coast. Ask locally which days and which spots are safe before going in.
Roadside Farm Stands
Fresh fruits and vegetables are picked daily, and available for you to purchase at many of the farm side road stands. Keep an eye out for "donkey ladies", and vegetable stands as you drive through the area.
Pelican Bar
The Pelican Bar in Jamaica was the dream of a local fisherman named Floyd Forbes. Floyd dreamed of building a bar on stilts in the ocean so that he could relax from a hard day fishing with a cold drink and close friends by his side. Today, the bar continues to provide a serene experience that no other bar in Jamaica delivers. If you are interested in booking a fish lunch at Pelican Bar, our villa staff will be happy to arrange this for you upon your arrival.
Lovers Leap
Lovers Leap is a breathtaking 1700-foot cliff that hangs over the sea. Legend has it that during enslavement, two young lovers met secretly on the Yardley Chase Plantation, and jumped to their death holding hands after they found out that the female's lover was sold to the owner so he could have her all to himself.
Tours of the lighthouse and a guided hike from the top of the mountain all the way down can be arranged.
If you are interested in booking a tour to any of these areas, please advise our staff upon your arrival and everything will be taken care of for you.
YS Falls, Jamaica
Located on the South end of Jamaica, YS Falls is accessed by a 10-minute tractor ride that will provide you with some of the most beautiful scenery on the island. Seven waterfalls cascade into natural water pools and provide a swing rope, zip line and tubing for adventure seekers. If getting wet is not your style, the YS guides will walk with you and show where the best areas are to take photographs.
Appleton Rum Factory Tour
A trip to Jamaica isn't complete until you have savoured the taste of Appleton's award-winning rum with an authentic Jamaican lunch. During your guided tour, you will learn how the Appleton's distilling process and passion produce the most famous rums in the world.
Black River Safari
Discover the beauty of Jamaica’s longest river, surrounded by ancient mangroves and wetlands that are the home of the American endangered crocodiles, exotic birds (over 100 species) and other wetland wildlife. During your 1.5-hour boat tour that will lead you six miles up the river, your guide will provide you with an entertaining commentary about the ecology and history of Black River.
Read our guides to these places
We have written first-hand guides to the trips our guests take most often: