The South Coast

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South Coast Jamaica History and Information

Black River Area

This area is Architecturally significant and historic, the town of Black River is situated at the mouth of the river of the same name. Once a busy seaport which exported logwood, rum, pimento and cattle skins, the town's adventurous river is now alive with visitors aboard tour boats. The largest wetland in Jamaica is habitat for 300 crocodiles in the Black River area.

The Black River is Jamaica's longest at 44 miles. Some 100 species of birds take flight. Visitors might be lucky enough to see the "crocodile dentist," a green-back heron who swoops down to floss the teeth of open mouthed crocodiles.

Mandeville

Mandeville, stands 2,000 feet above sea level. It is a thriving mountain resort punctuated with trappings of British tradition and the good life. The parish gets its name from the Duke of Manchester, governor of Jamaica.

In Mandeville, the Manchester Golf Club was constructed soon after the game was invented in Scotland. The Mandeville Horticultural Society, formed in 1865, still puts on shows twice each year in May and November.

Treasure Beach

A wide dark sand beach with body surfing waves, it is one of the most beautiful areas on the island. It is largely used by local fishermen as it is the closest point to the Pedro Banks. There is one small grocery shop, a bakery and a van comes to the village every day with fresh fruit and vegetables. This area is quite unlike any other part of Jamaica, still relatively un-visited by tourists and well worth a visit. The local people are very friendly and you will be less hassled by higglers than elsewhere. To the east of Treasure Beach lies Lovers’ Leap, a beauty spot named after the slave and his lover (his owner’s daughter) who jumped off the cliff in despair.

South Coast Map

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