Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

[tivertonhouse]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

Unfortunately, you can no longer dine at Mar Blue unless you're a guest there. There's scads of photos of area and villas up on our site -- see Beach Villas by Tiverton House on the Treasure Beach community Web site at www.treasurebeach.net ....

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

Originally posted by Rose:
[qb] Back on topic.. What to do on a lazy day around Billy's Bay and surrounding areas? Any must sees or funky places to check out? [/qb]

I have only walked by the villa. But, I have stayed in Billy's Bay. I mostly chilled on the deserted beach and walked around drinking in the scenery. There is a friendly likkle bar "Skips" next door to Irie Rest. You can also walk or grab a route taxi to Jack Sprats for a pizza. Go over to Pedro Bluff for a hike. Take a taxi up to Treasure Veiw in Southfield for a nice meal a amazing veiw. Hire a fishing boat to go up the Black River and see the crocs. Stop at Pelican Bar on the way back. You may see some Dolphins frolicking in the sea on the way back (we did).

[Rose]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

Originally posted by tivertonhouse:
[qb] the sense of non-tourism here, esp. on Billy's Bay, Fort Charles and Great Bay areas is wonderful. [/qb]

Sounds like my kind of place..love being in places where the community carries on as usual and one can visit without being obtrusive, but can soak up the flavor of the area. Can't wait!

JD, quiet beaches? sigh.. And the hike you mentioned at Pedro Bluff would be nice. Do you know if the snorkeling is ok for weak swimmers?

[jamaica_dreamin]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

Originally posted by Rose:


JD, quiet beaches? sigh.. And the hike you mentioned at Pedro Bluff would be nice. Do you know if the snorkeling is ok for weak swimmers? [/QB]

The beaches are quietest in Great Bay & Billy's Bay. I have never snorkled in TB. How calm the water is varies (some months are known to be calmer). The sea is usually calmer in Great Bay.


Edited to add : The locals can tell you what areas to avoid and where it is calmest to swim. There are some sign on the beach warning people where swimming is not as safe.
I hear Gut River can fun. (I haven't been there yet)

Also stop by Irie Rest Lennie is very nice & knowledgable about the area and Pauline is a fabulous cook.

[Rose]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

reading in the lonely planet guide..

"Gut River- 6 mi east of Alligator Pond. Here, a mineral spring emerges from a deep cleft and feeds a pond where the occasional flash reveals mullet and big crabs 20ft down. The pool grows shallower toward its mouth, where the water is trapped behind a sand spit that hides a lonesome red-sand beach." Sunday is bashment day. Sounds lovely.

*edited to add: Irie Rest..wanted to stay there. Isn't that the place Accompong mentions? Didn't know if it was a little too basic for a first trip to the area. Will definetly stop in.

[QK13]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

Rose, Irie rest is basic, but comfortable and safe, with it's own cook & bar. Lenny is a good host.

So many options. Last trip JD & I took a tour of Calabash House. Loved it. Great location. They are a guest house with 4 guest rooms, 3 of them are double, like suites. all have their own baths.

Gorgeous veranda overlooking the sea. You can do your own cooking or Dawn Moxam can hook you up. She also fire-roasts her own Blue Mountain coffee (for sale).

I have been to several spots in Fort Charles, tho I've never stayed, Unforgetable and La Casa Duna are lovely as well. Both have swimming pools.

[libbyT]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

Quote from Rose: "Sounds like my kind of place..love being in places where the community carries on as usual and one can visit without being obtrusive, but can soak up the flavor of the area."

Hey Rose you should check out Belmont...we did yesterday...we found a nice villa,(right next to Peter Tosh) plus cottages all around, it has 2 nice little beaches, fishermen, a great reef, a few bars and shops, there is music on the weekends, plenty of places to eat, hills to walk in...and you can even get masage & spa treatments down at Oasis.
If you drive from Negril towards Black River/ Treasure Beach then you have to pass it through Belmont.

[Q3210]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

Hey after Belmont, check out Gut River. Went there recently for the first time. Mineral water out of the hill submerges beneath the road and there`s the beach a few chains onward.
Drive and park off the road down to where you see a house.
On Sundays and Saturdays the owner charges a fare to use his property where the house is located by the water. Week days it is remote and lonely.
The place is worth stopping, more than just stopping actully.

[Rose]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

I think I'm going to need more than a few days down that way! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

getting the map and checking for Belmont..

[BND1999]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

(((morning miss rose)))

glad im peeking at this thread.. as ill be is St Bess next weekend.. planning my outings...

been to the area a few years back.. this time i want to go to places ive never been.. or to revist a few...

im looking for a place in TB as we speak...
im thinking to drive up to accompong and around that area one day....... another to go to Santa Cruz... up maybe towards Christiana.. down through spur hill.. etc.. i love town life... and love to shoot photos.. so it will give me that opportunity.....

if you want me to check something out for you.. and i can... i will.....

been a long time since ive stayed on a beach..looking forward to taking long walks and the healing i feel inside and peace as i do so...

[Rose]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

((Nina)), Have a wonderful trip! And enjoy yourself as you surely will. Can't think of anything specific for you to check out, but thanks for asking. When you get up into the hills, be sure to eat some steamed irish for me, ok? I swear, those hills in St. Ann grow the best potatoes in the whole world by far!

[CurtisD]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

Hello Rose & Nina,

Sounds like you will be travelling quite a bit on this trip.
Hope that everything works out well for you and that it will be a fantastic holiday.

From the TB area you can take a short drive up to Lovers Leap.
http://www.visitjamaica.com/planning_you...13-2d3aae2e574b

Then drive up a little further and get onto the property of Monroe College.
Look for a long waist high stone wall that is next to the tennis courts.
From there you can enjoy the panoramic view of the south coast.
On a clear day you will be viewing TB in the background to the left.
Glance to the right and you might see LibbyT in Black River [img]/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] .
Beyond that is Whitehouse, Bluefields and Sav-la-Mar.
Spectacular scenery for photography.
Especially to capture the deep red colour of the earth in that area.
You will even see the first windmill generator that
the College owns to supply electricity to all the cummunity.

Have fun!

[Q3210]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

Words from a Munro old boy?
I`ve heard of that spectacular view up at Malvern.
Are visitors allowed in the school?

[CurtisD]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

Monroe old boy, yes.

Allowed to just walk arround, Not realy.

Worth the effort to do it. Definately. A must.

You will just have to talk to the "master" on duty so that he can escort you
or give you permission to walk arround.

It may be even better to telephone ahead of time so as to avoid any confusion.

[tivertonhouse]

Re: Sparkling Waters Villas-Billy's Bay Southcoast

If it's come back post-Ivan, there's some good snorkeling at SUNNY ISLE, reachable by boat from TB where you can also dive for lobster and grill em on the sandspit -- or, failing a catch, go in-shore to Little Ochie restaurant's beach huts for some of best fish/bammy on coast. Gut River is freshwater, emptying into the sea, with 3 manatees around the area. Back in TB: Great Bay is gentle waters, protected by Pedro Bluff and good swimming;Calabash Bay and Frenchman's rough with a spot of sand beyond Jack Sprat best; Billy's Bay has been totally 're-arranged' by the past 3 storms with in-shore snorkelling areas and a crescent of sand/swimming area at the LA CASA DUNA end of the beach;the nearer end, near the fishers' landing/THE BUCCANEER is now rocky, carved out and the sandy point is no more. Fort Charles is broad and smooth beach, with wild dunes stretching onwards to Parrottee Point. Ask LEN PARCHMENT at DUNA or GARFIELD at BUCCANEER the tidal changes/currents and best spots on Billy's Bay when you're there...