Calabash Bay
Guesthouses, foodThe central bay.
Village guide
Things to do in Treasure Beach
A string of fishing villages on Jamaica's quiet south coast, with no resort strip: rocky coves, community tourism, a bar on a sandbar out at sea, and day trips to YS Falls and the Appleton rum estate.
1
Hostels in the city
0
All-inclusive resorts
3–4
Days
The quiet south coast
Treasure Beach is a stretch of small fishing communities on the south coast of St Elizabeth, the dry, sunny parish known as Jamaica's breadbasket. There are no big resorts and no all-inclusives here: just guesthouses, small hotels, fishing boats on the sand and a strong community tourism movement.
The area was among the hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025, but it has largely been rebuilt, and its guesthouses, Jakes hotel and Floyd's Pelican Bar, a wooden shack on a sandbar out at sea, have reopened. Locals estimate the area is almost fully restored.
From Treasure Beach, boats go to the Pelican Bar and along the coast, and day trips go to the YS Falls, a series of waterfalls with swimming pools, and the Appleton Estate rum distillery. Give it three or four days to slow down.
Where to base yourself
Calabash Bay and Frenchman's Bay for guesthouses and restaurants, or Great Bay for the fishing village.
Frenchman's Bay
GuesthousesWest of Calabash Bay.
Great Bay
Fishing villageEast along the coast.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 1 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Treasure Beach
Take a fishing boat out to Floyd's Pelican Bar, a bar built on stilts on a sandbar, for a drink and a swim, and go along the coast with a local fisherman. Walk between the coves and fishing beaches of Calabash Bay, Frenchman's Bay and Great Bay.
Take a day trip to YS Falls to swim in the pools and ride the rope swing, and tour the Appleton Estate rum distillery, checking opening times first.
Visit Lover's Leap, a clifftop viewpoint to the east, and join a community project such as the BREDS foundation's activities.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Walking between the coves and fishing beaches costs nothing, and so does the sunset over the sea.
Watching the fishing boats come in at Great Bay is free.
Boats to the Pelican Bar, YS Falls and Appleton charge.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Fresh fish, lobster in season and jerk are cooked in small restaurants and on the beach, with plates for €8 to €15. Patties cost about €1.
Nearby Middle Quarters is known for spicy pepper shrimp sold by the roadside.
A 10 to 15 per cent tip is usual in restaurants; check the bill, as service is sometimes already added.
Nightlife
Going out
Treasure Beach is quiet at night, with a few bars, reggae on weekends and sunset drinks.
The Pelican Bar is a daytime trip.
Red Stripe costs €2 to €4.
Getting around
Getting around
Treasure Beach is about two hours from Montego Bay airport and three from Kingston by car. Public transport is limited: Knutsford Express goes to nearby towns, then route taxis, or arrange a driver through your guesthouse.
In the village, walk or cycle between the bays.
Fishing boats go to the Pelican Bar.
Costs
What Treasure Beach costs
Guesthouse beds start at around €25 to €45 a night. Plates cost €8 to €15.
Boat trips to the Pelican Bar cost about €20 to €35, YS Falls about €20, and Appleton rum tours about €30 to €45.
Carry cash; there are few cash machines.
Safety
Safety and scams
Treasure Beach is one of the most relaxed places in Jamaica. Take normal care with belongings and avoid walking on dark roads at night.
Some roads in St Elizabeth are still being repaired after the hurricane, and nearby Black River was badly damaged, so check before travelling.
Currents can be strong at some beaches; ask locally where to swim. Tap water is generally safe in towns, but drink bottled water in rural areas and anywhere supply has been disrupted. In an emergency, call 119 for the police, or 110 for an ambulance or the fire service.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Community festivals and holidays.
6 August
Independence Day
Nationwide
Celebrations across the island.
December to April
Dry season
Treasure Beach
The best weather.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Treasure Beach, live from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
When to go
The south coast is the driest part of Jamaica. December to April is driest and busiest. Hurricane season runs from June to November. Hurricane Melissa hit western Jamaica hard in October 2025. Most of the tourist economy has reopened, but some attractions and roads are still being repaired, so check before you go.
Jan
Dry
Feb
Dry
Mar
Dry
Apr
Easter
May
Rain
Jun
Hurricane season opens
Jul
Hot
Aug
Hot
Sep
Peak hurricane risk
Oct
Rain
Nov
Drying
Dec
Holidays
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Dry and sunny.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, based on Treasure Beach prices.
Treat these as a guide. Boat trips and tours cost extra.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Treasure Beach questions
The ones we get asked most.
Is Treasure Beach open after Hurricane Melissa?
Yes. It was hit hard, but guesthouses, Jakes and the Pelican Bar have reopened.
How do I get to Treasure Beach?
By car or driver, about two hours from Montego Bay airport.
What is the Pelican Bar?
A bar on stilts on a sandbar out at sea, reached by boat.
Are there resorts in Treasure Beach?
No, only guesthouses and small hotels.
Is YS Falls open?
Yes, it reopened in January 2026.
Is Treasure Beach safe?
It is one of the most relaxed places in Jamaica.
When is the best time to visit?
December to April.
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