Trelawny Parish:
Beaches & Fun Things to Do
Beaches & Fun Things to Do
Trelawny has some beautiful beaches, rivers, caves, markets eco-tourist destinations, recreation and other fun things to do. Here are some of the things to do and some hidden gems:
- Albert Town - Named for Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, Albert Town is the largest town in southeastern Trelawny, an area dotted with small villages, rural communities and agricultural districts. Located on the outskirts of the Cockpit Country, this is simply a beautiful area with cool hills and valleys covered with exotic tropical plants, intriguing limestone caves and many underground rivers and waterfalls. Albert Town is a bird-watcher's paradise, with dozens of species endemic to Jamaica and to the Cockpit Country. You might see wild yellow and black-billed parrots, yellow-billed amazons or flocks of "doctor birds", a species of hummingbird indigenous to Jamaica. If you can be here the week before Easter, don’t miss the Annual Yam Festival. The town has parades and competitions, culminating in the Yam Farmers' Competition, in which yams are judged according to their quality, weight, size and shape, on Easter Monday. Yam is king here; you can even get yam ice cream! Some of the most scenic caves accessible to visitors are located in very close proximity to Albert Town. The Rock Spring Caves and the Quashie River Sink Caves, each no more than 15 minutes drive from the town center, offer two of the most captivating caving experiences in Jamaica, with mazes, secret chambers and waterfalls within the various limestone rock formations. You can get more information from the South Trelawny Environmental Agency office in Albert Town.
- Braco Stables: The Braco Estate is located just outside Duncans, about halfway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. It dates back to the mid 1700s when the estate grew sugar cane and made sugar in its own factory. The Braco Great House has been restored is now a private residence. Braco Stables offers great tours on horseback. The beach ride takes you alongside the Braco beach, past an old abandoned airstrip (built during World War II and, more recently, the site of ganja plane crashes!) then on to a private beach where you can swim with your horse. The ride from the beach back to the stables takes you through local farmlands.
- Luminous Lagoon at Glistening Waters (a.k.a. Oyster Bay) - To the east of Falmouth there is a bay with a mysterious glow at night. Luminous Lagoon contains a large concentration of bioluminescent micro-organisms called dinoflagellates. The water glows green at night with the effect of the phosphorescence. Formed where the Martha Brae River meets the Caribbean, the organisms thrive in the combination of warm fresh water and sea water. There used to be a wharf here where large vessels from England unloaded their goods onto smaller ships to be delivered inland via the Martha Brae. I loved this place, but go when there is no moon in the sky (totally dark). We were taken out in a small motorboat. The wake of the boat glows like neon. You can get out and swim and you glow as you move in the water, but the water is only 4 to 8 feet deep and rather muddy. Wear beach shoes. If you splash the water on someone, it sparkles like fireworks. While bioluminescence occurs all over, the concentrations of these dinoflagellates are this great in only four places in the world. Luminous Lagoon is reportedly one of the brightest. Boats leave each evening at dark, about every 30 minutes, from the Glistening Waters Marina where there is also a restaurant. The boat ride will take about 45 minutes. Read my recent trip report here!
- Martha Brae Rafting Village: The three mile rafting trip down the Martha Brae begins at Rafters Village, a picnic ground situated on a great loop of the swift flowing river near Perth Town. Long bamboo rafts are maneuvered by skillful raftsmen; it is a smooth and easy ride. At places further down river there are pools to bathe and shady glades to pass under. The raftsman will tell you legends of Martha Brae while you ride. The river, legend says, was named after an Arawak sorceress who drowned a party of greedy gold-hunting Spaniards in it. Remember to tip your river guide. Also, bring insect repellent as the mosquitoes can rambunctious!
- Outameni Experience - Just opposite the Starfish Trelawny Resort is the relatively new (September 2007) Outameni Experience. Outameni is situated on an old plantation with the historic Orange Grove Great House (over 200 years old) overlooking it. They present the history of Jamaica, from Taino to Rasta, in an interactive way, using a combination of music, dancing, singing, film and dramatic re-enactments. You “travel” through small villages depicting the various cultures that formed Jamaica – Taino, Spanish, African, English, Indian, Chinese, up to today. Guests say it’s quite a fun and happy experience, and very informative. They are open daily from 9:30 and the “experiences” operate from 10am to 3pm, each lasting about one hour or slightly longer. What a great way to learn the history of this beautiful island! Di Shack is on-site for refreshments. Phone: 876.954-4035. Click on their name above to visit them on the web.
- Oyster Bay: See Luminous Lagoon
- Time N’ Place Beach – Three miles east of Falmouth Village on a spit called Bear Cay is World Beach. You can access it through Time N’ Place, a tropical beach bar and restaurant on the beautiful two-mile stretch of beach. It’s good for swimming, snorkeling and daiquiris. It has been voted by Conde Naste Traveler as one of the top 30 Caribbean hangouts. The property is owned by a Jamaican named Tony and the place is frequented by locals. It’s next door to the big Pebbles Resort, but this is where the action is! The owner also rents a few pretty rustic cottages on the property.
- Windsor Caves: At the deepest passable point in Cockpit Country is the tiny town of Windsor, close to Dromilly and Deeside. The Windsor Caves are a virtual treasure chest, with huge deposits of guano, the largest bat population on the island and fascinating and beautiful formations in the limestone rock. To preserve the cave and its inhabitants, entry has been limited to persons conducting research and experienced spelunkers. You must get an experienced guide if you wish to explore these caves; inquire at the Windsor Research Centre on the grounds of Windsor Great House. There are several levels and large chambers in the caves and you can explore safely for more than a mile. This Northwestern interior of Jamaica is a fiercely rugged area, largely inaccessible to humans.
