Boats to hire?

Treasure Beach Forum: TB Runnin's: Boats to hire?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By jeannie_brim on Thursday, November 30, 2006 - 01:33 pm: Edit Post

We will be in TB from Dec. 23-Jan 01. We want to visit Negril for a day. Is it possble to take a long boat ride from Great Bay to Negril? How long is the ride? Also, do people work on the day before Christmas or the day after (I know it's Boxing Day)? Thank You


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By rootsie114 on Friday, December 01, 2006 - 01:15 am: Edit Post

it is possible ask for john who owns a boat,most people work on the 23rd but not the 26th


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ohliz on Monday, December 04, 2006 - 05:30 pm: Edit Post

If that's possible it would be a long ride, seems like it's 45 minutes at least to Black River....


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Coralie on Tuesday, December 05, 2006 - 10:03 am: Edit Post

I have taken a boat to Negril from Treasure Beach... you cannot go and come in a day, and your captain would need to make arrangements for a place to dock in the Negril river and have someone watch the boat and engine (and pay for that service). We left at the crack of dawn (6.a.m.), had to stop in Whitehouse for more fuel (meaning that we all had to walk up to the gas station at the main and schlepp heavy tanks of gas back down to the boat) and then on to Negril. The captain must know the reef and how it stays or it can be very dangerous. (the reef goes out far and comes in close in many places, and you need a skilled captain, not one who "thinks he can figure it out"). You will also be paying a lot for fuel, and like I said you can't make it there and back in a day, so you will be paying for accomodations for you and your captain (and his first, second, etc. mates) as well as meals which are expected.

It is an adventure though... would I do it again knowing what I know now? Probably not. Make sure your captain has lifejackets also - coming back is always more rough than going.

By the way, it took 7 hours before all was said and done to get to Negril from Treasure Beach (factoring in 1.5 hours to schlep gas in Whitehouse and find a "safe place" to dock the boat and engine in Negril River),and then trek up to Joseph's (Westport Cottages).


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Captain on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 04:07 pm: Edit Post

Just to let you know that going to negril is not that difficult.I do this in a day without stopping for petrol in whitehouse.A day trip from treasure beach to Negril can be arranged.It takes two and a half hours to go.Three hours to come back depending on weather condition.This is a very adventerous trip. Captain with experience.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Looks Fun on Monday, January 15, 2007 - 08:55 pm: Edit Post

Dear Captain
On this tour since it is such a long trip,do
you have life jackets, cell phone and cushions.
I will be there at the end of January looking
for a safe trip.I always wanted to go by boat
to Negril.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Captain on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 07:00 pm: Edit Post

Dear Looks Fun
I am equipped with all safety requirements for tours .If you want to do this please send me your email address.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By more info on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 10:06 am: Edit Post

What's the cost for the rest of us who might consider this journey... gas alone must be very expensive + the tour cost... can you give me an estimate?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Looks Fun on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 03:01 pm: Edit Post

Thats great makes me feel O.K to know this. But
you need to tell me for sure about (a cell phone,
and cushions to sit on)and it sounds like you have
life jackets. Hoping life jackets for at least 6
people. I hope I am not asking for to much. But
big water is a little scary.Also where would you
pick people up for the boat tour?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By captain on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 05:23 pm: Edit Post

Dear Looks Fun
Just to let you know that i have a cell phone ,dozens of life jackets, life rings, fire extinguishers,first aid kit,a second captain on board who is also a trained life guard.I operate from treasure beach so anywhere on the south coast.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By more info on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 08:22 am: Edit Post

Captain...
So if you say it takes at most three hours there and maybe a little more on the way back, how much time could we actually have in Negril in one day? Seems like we would just be going and coming back.
And you didn't mention the approximate price. Could you please?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Looks Fun on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 03:07 pm: Edit Post

Dear Captain ?--Whats the mystery with your name?
When I come to Treasure Beach I will need to know
which captain to ask for. Thank-you for all the
details I asked. But you left one out. Do you have
cushions. Some of the friends wanting to go need
a soft seat.




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Coralie on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 06:31 pm: Edit Post

Looks fun,
If you look at a map of Jamaica, from T.B. to Black River is about a third of the way to Negril. That being said, I have done that trip tons of times when I was living Treasure Beach. That alone takes 45min to an hour (depending on the sea). And EVERY time, it takes double the time coming back. It's just the way it is. And usually it IS rough, so cushions are definitely a good idea. Now, if the captain is saying that he can get there without stopping for gas in three hours, he is still going to have to stop to change tanks, etc.
Also, like was also mentioned here, you are not going to have much time in Negril. From the River up the the beach is a good 20 minute walk in Negril.
When I went, we planned it as a weekend so that we could have time. And I went with my ex-husband who was a very capable and able fisherman and captain. He knows the sea very well as it was his profession. But he even found it tricky to navigate the ever changing reef from Whitehouse to Negril with his co-captain. It made me a little nervous because if your boat clips the reef there can be damage and/or fear of capsizing.

I honestly don't think this is a good "day" trip. Double the time coming back, because the sea always seems to get rough as the wind kicks up mid-day. It would be too rushed, and you do not want to be coming back in the dark either. I would recommend making it an over-nighter if anything, and be prepared for the expenses as such.

There are other really good "day" trips like Sunny Island and Little Ochie, or the Infamous Black River.

These are just MY opinions as someone who has made the trip and spent a lot of time on the sea in my years in Jamaica. It doesn't seem anyone else who may have done it is giving you a response, so I thought I might explain myself and my experience. It is not a common trip from Treasure Beach.

Again, just my opinions and insights on the trip. If you choose to do it, make sure you feel safe before you leave, and make sure you leave early enough coming back so that it is not dark or too rough.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By cautious on Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 10:44 pm: Edit Post

Sounds like scam-a-man to me.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Looks Fun on Friday, January 19, 2007 - 06:55 am: Edit Post

Dear Coralie- Thank-you so much for being honest
with me. I am a person who will not
take chances. Little Ochie I heard
from people beautiful spot to go.
Thanks again for your concern.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By baku on Friday, January 19, 2007 - 07:49 am: Edit Post

Have done Bluefields to TB via boat -- a l-o-n-g trip. And your posterior takes a pounding even on
cushions. We got caught by rainstorms on way
back and had to pull in to Charlie Swaby's in
Black River for a couple of hours. If you go, go
early-early before dawn or just at. Bring a slicker and food/drinks, just in case.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Frenchman/Canada on Friday, January 19, 2007 - 09:41 am: Edit Post

I went by boat to Black River the ride was great.coming back it was a rainstorm the weather was so bad, I prayed all the way! born and raised in Treasure Beach but will never take that ride again, lesson learned


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Coralie on Friday, January 19, 2007 - 07:46 pm: Edit Post

Looks fun... Little Ochie IS a great trip. If you like snorkelling, Sunny Island is a great place the snorkel out a few miles in the ocean. And when you get hungry, you head for land (Little Ochie) and you will find the infamous restaurant on the beach that will satisfy all of your fish and seafood tastes (and a cold Red Stripe or two if you like them!)

Going that way from Treasure Beach, you get to see the other side of the Great Pedro Bluff, you get to see Lover's Leap from the bottom upwards which just shows you what a leap of faith that story was actually about, you go past Port Kaiser where you may see some of the international ships coming to load bauxite or unload other goods from different parts of the world, and the beach in Little Ochie is always a buzz with fishermen going to sea, or returning with a catch, children playing, etc.

That is and will always be one of my favorite day trips because you can go early, spend time on the water, in the water, relax, check out Alligator Pond, eat, relax some more, and then be back at sunset which is spectacular on or around the water.

You will be approached by many tour guides when you arrive. Go with the one who has everything you need so that you feel safe and comfortable.

Rebecca and Eric make many recommendations and advertise several capable captains in their sub-sections on this site.

Personally, I have gone with Peck (Parchment) and my surrogate big brother Ted (Parchment) the most (and I am talking dozens of times), Dennis Abraams also. There are so many more who give great tours also. Again, I encourage you to "shop around" and go with the person who you feel best dealing with.

Most of all... HAVE FUN!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ce Ce on Saturday, January 20, 2007 - 05:51 pm: Edit Post

It is so nice to see how much fun some visitors have but so awful to read about the roads they have to travel on while touring by land.I wish I could help but I have written to the ones in charge of the roads months ago and I know so many other must have done the same.
We all have to do our part until we get the message across.Citizens of Treasure Beach please get your pens and pencils and start writing.
"WE NEED HELP"
WE ARE GOING TO BE CUT OFF FROM THE REST OF THE ISLAND IF IT DO NOT HAPPEN SOON.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Captain Dennis on Saturday, January 20, 2007 - 06:11 pm: Edit Post

Dear Looks Fun,
Just some more information on the trip to Negril. On a trip to Negril you will have to choose a nice calm day. You will have to leave Treasure Beach at around 7:a.m. so you will get there by 9:30 a.m. Then you will leave Negril at 2:30 -3:00p.m. so you will spend 5 hours in Negril and be back in Treasure Beach by Sunset, 6:00-6:30p.m. Going from Black River to Negril is always calmer most of the time. On your way back or going you will have to travel closer to shore to avoid wind,so if its windy to get away from it. But if the captain doesn't know how to navigate inshore then he will have to travel further out at sea where you will be more open to the wind and you will have a rougher ride. Captain with experience who knowns the Coast Line from Kingston to Negril.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Looks Fun on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 12:17 pm: Edit Post

Dear Captain Dennis
Thank-you for your knowledge on this topic. You
look like the one I would feel relaxed with out
on the big water. Are you set up with everything
I mentioned to the other captain (cell phone,
cushions and life jackets)if so would you be
interested in a trip? Instead of Negril I would
really like to check out Little Ochie
Please if you could get back to me. It would be a
party of six people. I would be there around last
week of January.If so do you have e-mail address?
This would be better for me for setting up.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rebecca on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 03:41 pm: Edit Post

Just click on Captain Dennis' name and you will have his email address and can contact him. I will say, Captain Dennis is a very capable Captain. I've enjoyed every one of the many boat rides he has taken me on and always felt safe.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Looks Fun on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 06:50 pm: Edit Post

Dear Rebecca Thank-you so much for the
information. Everyone is so
helpful. I feel so welcomed
already.



Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Coralie on Sunday, January 21, 2007 - 10:28 pm: Edit Post

Looks Fun...
"Captain Dennis" is the same Dennis that I referred to. He is very friendly, very knowledgeable and a very seasoned captain. You will have a great time anywhere he takes you! Good choice!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Captain Dennis on Monday, January 22, 2007 - 06:34 pm: Edit Post

Hi Coralie
Thanks very much for the recommendation.Persons like you make treasure Beach what it is today.Thanks very much for your insights, you are very helpful to persons who wants to come .Continue to help.Take care.
Captain Dennis