South Coast of Jamaica Staycation – Ivy’s Cove & Jake’s Treasure Beach

by · Published · Updated

I had planned to be in Italy for my vacation this year, however Covid-19 had other plans. Instead I was able to enjoy an unexpected staycation on the South Coast of Jamaica. Now while the South Coast doesn’t get as much buzz as our popular resort areas, there are so many gems in this part of the island!

My family decided to do a little getaway this year for my dad’s birthday. For the first part of the trip, we stayed at a villa resort called Ivy’s Cove in Whitehouse, Westmoreland. The units at Ivy’s Cove are SPACIOUS. There was a light and airy feel within all the spaces. The living area spills out through foor to ceiling french doors to the balcony; which makes it feel even more spacious.

That first morning we had our breakfast out on the blacony and then headed down to the beach afterwards. One of the best features is that you have your own private beach. This was really a lovely little property, and I would return.

Down on the beach there were numerous floaties available, and kayaks were also provided. As we had our swim, we encountered the operator of the property Moira, who is absolutely pleasant. The water shoes and snorkel gear provided for guests at the beach were a nice touch. The shoes are particularly useful as there is some seagrass in the shallows; with the shoes you don’t feel a thing! They also came in handy while I was exploring the mangroves.

We took a walk along the beach up to the Whitehouse fishing village, and observed fishermen pulling in thier fresh catch. There is an option to have a chef cater your meals at the villa for an additional surcharge.

In our original plans we were were going to spend the day at Y.S Falls. Unfortunately due to the Covid-19 travel slowdown, they were only opening on weekends at the time. We spent the time enjoying the amenities of the property that we would have missed out on otherwise.

That evening we had dinner at a The Cracked Conch, the restaurant at Luna Sea Inn. Luna Sea Inn is a quaint little property about 15 minutes from Ivy’s Cove. We were seated at their seaside gazebo and enjoed a wonderful sunset.

The next morning we lazed around until check out time. I parted ways with my family here, and Stef and I continued onward to Treasure Beach and Jake’s Hotel.

Treasure Beach is known for its community-based tourism model and laid-back atmosphere. It is one of the more popular areas on the South Coast of Jamaica. I usually visit every other year for the Calabash Literary Festival. However the festival activities usually leave very little time for much exploration of the community. This year’s festival was cancelled due to, you guessed it, Covid.

Jake’s was having a staycation special for locals, and the deal was so good I couldn’t resist taking advantage of it and extending our stay on the South Coast a little longer. We stayed in “Cowrie 1” , which is a deluxe garden view room. The buildings on the property have a uniquely attractive aesthetic.

At Ivy’s Cove I was only with my family, so there wasn’t much need for concern with regard to Covid-19 safety. At Jake’s they took their Covid protocols seriously, and we felt very comfortable.

That evening we had dinner at Jack Sprat, which is one of the restaurants at Jake’s. Jack Sprat is known for their pizzas, and I had a yummy lobster pizza.

We had breakfast (which was included in the rate) the next morning at the main dining area. Thre was outdoor seating and were nowhere near anyone else. The breakfast area is situated by the delightful saltwater pool. It overlooks the perched beach, jetty, and the main swimming area.

Honestly if tranquility were a place, it would be Jake’s. The vibe is really extra-ordinary. It was truly a perfect destination for a socially-distanced vacation. The resort is a collection of low density rooms, cottages and villas, so you hardly come across anyone unless you are in one of the main common areas.

That afternoon we decided to have lunch at the Lashings Boutique Hotel. Lashings is a relatively new additon to the Treasure Beach scene. It is up on a hill overlooking the Treasure Beach community. Aside from the restaurant, there is also a bar and art gallery on site. We enjoyed lunch and quite liked the overall vibe, so we are likely to return. They also offer day passes for access to the amentities on property.

After lunch, we spent some time driving around the area, and popping out the car every now and again at points of interest. The wider Treasure Beach area is comprised of several communities extending from Great Bay up to Billy’s Bay and Fort Charles.

This beach in Bill’s Bay was a nice find

We didn’t take up the offer, but included in Jakes’ special rate was discounted access to Y.S Falls and the Appleton Rum Tour. Other popular attractions in the area include visits to Floyd’s Pelican Bar, Lover’s Leap and the Black River Safari. The South Coast of Jamaica has a lot to offer and will well worth exploring!