hi,
i have no idea how big billys bay is but is the sea safe to swim in around there?can you snorkel?i am staying at sunsplashvilla near sparkling waters i think!

What is the best place to snorkel, swim and body surf?

Billy's Bay is a beautiful place. Ask the staff at the guest house that you are staying in about the best places to swim and snorkel. I'm not a good judge of how big it is.

There used to be some kind of signs posted so it was easy to see where it is not safe to swim.

Enjoy Billy's Bay. Lovely place, lovlier people.

Fort charles Bay, which is the next Bay from Billy's Bay. is 11 miles of beach, very safe and beautiful to body surf.

Fort Charles beach does start a stretch of beach which continues all the way to Black River. However, please be very careful if you are swimming there as there are many parts of that beach that has reef and rocks in the water making it unsafe or potentially dangerous for swimming.

Always, no matter where you swim, check out the water first. If you see waves breaking out in the water or darker spots in the water, then there is probably reef and rocks in the water and you must use caution, especially when the sea is rough.

Swim safe!

Fort Charles is beautiful. But, I did see a sign that read watch out for crocadiles!

Yes, I saw that sign too, and was a bit surprised that there might be crocodiles in that area since I'm not aware of any fresh water nearby and I assumed that crocodiles would not venture far from fresh water. Does anyone know if crocodiles are in fact sighted in the Fort Charles area and if so, do they ever go as far east as Billys Bay?

I have been to TB about 12 times and I have never seen a croc in any of the bays. (I have been in all of the bays, and stayed in all of them but Fort Charles. Nothing against Fort Charles but I just have not stayed there yet) I have only seen crocs in the Black River.

But, I did see the sign in Fort Charles. And I have heard they have been seen as far as Great Bay (but most likely in the ponds).

While we are on Fort Charles, I was in Unforgetable once and it is absolutely gorgeous. Button Bay and Pon the rocks look great as well.

Nurse ratchet you right with that.to the north (about a mile or less) of Fort Charles beach there is a swamp(marash),and alot of crocs do inhabit this area .they are fresh water crocs,but they uses the sea coarse when moving to another area ,they travel at night ,if day light out before they reaches thier destination they could hide in the sea leaving the tip of thier nose out for breathing and they do look like a rock in the sea ,so do becarful.talking with the native in the area would be a good start.Font Hill beach also has a swamp to the west .

From what I understand, in times of heavy rain, sometimes the fresh water of Black River mixes with where it meets to sea. The stories I have heard when I was living in Billy's Bay are that the crocs naturally go with the fresh water and end up swimming along the shore past Parotee, etc. when they get lost going in the wrong direction from the river, and ending up in Ft. Charles. Those warning signs have been there a long time, and I know that I remember a few times where there were sightings or evidence of Crocs there.

Heed the warnings of the signs. That is why they are there. At the same time, I have gone swimming there many times too.. but not when there were any talking of croc sightings or in rainy season. It is a lovely place to swim. Very quiet and nice.

But, I want to stress that I would have no problem staying in Fort Charles or swimming there as long as stated above there have not been sightings.

Fort Charles is about the safest beach in Treasure Beach. There are no under toe currents and the reef is pretty far out. No one would swim that far.

The fact is that from Billy's Bay to Fort charles, you are actually going west. If you ask anyone that knows the area WELL, they will tell you that the water is usually calm.

You definately would not swim in the sea at Great Bay, Calabash Bay, Frenchman's Bay or Billy.s Bay is rough.

The sign about the Crocodiles has nothing to do with the actual beach. THere is a swamp down the road parallel to the beach, that when it rains a lot and the swamp is full, you MAY see a corocodile.

In my humble opinion Great Bay is usually the calmest of the beaches as the bluff acts as a buffer for the rough seas.

Calabash Bay is where I usually swim, but spent many a year swimming at Frenchman's as well. Billy's Bay is my favorite for snorkeling!

What is everyone else's pick for favorite beach?

I don't agree with "dele" who says that the other bays are too rough to swim in.

Great Bay is calm. It's where they have the swim part of the triathlon.

And Frenchman's and Calabash do have waves and can be good for body surfing at the right time, but unless there's a storm in the area it's not too rough to swim in. And a storm would make all the bays too rough for swimming.

I've been in almost all the Bays except Billy's and think they all have wonderful qualities. My favorites are Frenchman and Fort Charles. Fort Charles water is perfect not too rough, long coastline. In the morning when I went it was quiet with no one else on the beach but there were signs that many people use the beach and I hear there are sometimes nice beach parties, hopefully I'll go to one in the near future. There is also a nice cave that i explored.
Frenchman is great to body surf, walk the coastline and watch fishermen bring the boats and their catch in, if you're lucky there is the best seafood for sale(Yummy)! I also enjoy sipping cold or warm(most Jamaicans like warm beers)Red Stripes and Heinekens @ Coot's bar/restaurant.
Calabash bay is nice but too many boats for me and the sand a little on the muddy side but i enjoy the part by Jack Sprat's which is nice to view while eating delicious lobster pizza. my daughter enjoys the calmness of Calabash.
Great Bay, I also like for walks and the water is nice. Sunsplash bar, Lonzo' place, provides a great watering hole with the most serene views and ocean breezes from the back verandah with lots of people hanging out talking about local stuff. I've been told there is an underwater cave somewhere there that i'll make it a point of exploring next visit.
Bryan, check out all the bays and let us know which you and your son prefer,look forward to hearing your choices.

I grew up in Treasure Beach and swim mostly at Frenchman Bay. My mother would not allowed us to swim anywhere else but by the button wood tree as it was very calm because of the reef breaking the waves but, sometimes we would wonder off to the beach in front of Golden Sands and "shot the waves" as that was fun.
I thought that was the best beach at that time. I cannot say what it is like today. I have not been in that water for a very long time.
I once went to Billys Bay beach and found it nice also. That was about 18 years ago.

I also can say after living in Treasure Beach for a long time, in Billy's Bay and Frenchman, that if you area a capable swimmer, Frenchman's is GREAT. You must be a strong swimmer though, and it can be rough at times. Billy's Bay is wonderful for snorkelling as Rebecca pointed out as the reef is close - you don't really need to go far out in the water to see some great fish, eels, rays, etc. Fort Charles is lovely to swim in, and a lot of the National Holidays have hosted some great parties on that beach where boats and people come from all around for roast fish and drinks. The signs there regarding crocs are for your caution, and you must always feel comfortable before swimmming anywhere, so if it spooks you, don't swim there.
As for Great Bay... it's great swimming there also because it gets deeper closer to shore, but without the reef to deal with - it is a little further out, so you are protected from the surf waves like in Calabash and Frenchmans. The absolute best snorkelling for me is around the Great Pedro Bluff (around from Great Bay). You can see some pretty great stuff there without having to go far at all.
I think wherever you swim, just ask the people around you who live there "how the current stay", and they will advise you if it is a good idea to swim there, or where your best place to swim that day would be.

Great Bay is one of the best , calmest places to swim.

My husband (born and grow a Great Bay) said to ask how many people you hear a drown in Great Bay?

Mrs. R I am on your side. Gt. Bay has really beautiful beaches w/ white sand and they are safe to swim too.

Please do not get me wrong. I like all of the bays in TB. They all have there own vibe. But, IMHO Great Bay has the best swimming / calmest water. Great Bay is also where we are building our home.

I agree with Mrs. R. My early years were spent in Great Bay and my dad and brothers were all fishermen and it is one of the calmest beach around. Not only is the beach calm it's also, gorgeous, quiet and clean.

how far is great bay from billys bay?the crocs are frightening me!

No need to be frightened. The only time the crocodiles come this far out of the Black River is in times of lots of rainfall, and I mean lots - like weeks on end of rainfall. When the weather is 'normal' we do not see them.

Also, keep in mind the North American crocodile is one of the most docile crocodiles found in the world. They will typically only attack when provoked.

I have, over the years, seen a few crocodiles come to the area during heavy rainfall. They are usually caught and someone from Black River is called to come and bring them back to the river. I've not ever heard of a crocodile attacking someone in Treasure Beach, although seeing how some folks tease and prod the crocodile while tied, I frankly wouldn't blame the croc for attacking them.

I thought the crocodile ate a vendor in Black River about 3 years ago.

By villatrip on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 08:44 am:
how far is great bay from billys bay?the crocs are frightening me!

Do not be frightened. I have been to TB at least 12 times and never seen a croc outside of the Black River.

I also hear that they are shy and will not trouble you.

To Canada, a very nice woman who owned a shop for many years in Black River was fishing right next to the bridge in Black River one night (which she had been doing for over 20 years without incedent). I was there two nights before this happened and had a lovely conversation with her. It is said the crocodile came up and snapped her off the shore where she was fishing. He did not eat her, but did what is natural for a croc to do. He brought her down to his "nest" and left her. She actually died of drowning and when they found her body, the only visible injuries were the teeth marks on her arm.

This was the only ever recorded time a croc went after someone. They caught and killed the croc two days later. They suspected that he was sick and that is why he behaved that way as this is not normal behavior.

I heard the lady put her hand in the water to clear the line that got stuck.the croc looking a change to steal her catch took her hand for a fish ,as i say never put hands in blind places.there another incident at Great Pond a family member shot a bird that fell in the water a croc looking its meal slap him in hip and took ONLY the bird.Never go snorkeling/swimming wearing jewelry ,this attract big fish
specially baracudas,when spear fishing a bara will also try to take your catch .

Amen Rebecca!!! I want nothing to do with a crocodile or alligator

Those crocs definitely can't be hungry, I've been on the tours and see that they are fed pretty well... No need to hunt humans(LOL)!

How very sad about the poor women that was killed by a croc. But, one person in 20 years is very low.

I returned from 2 weeks in Jamaica to hear that 2 women had been killed by gators in Broward county FL while I was in Jamaica.

I had also heard that the lady put her hand in the water.

I donīt think it is a good thing that those Boat drivers feed the crocodiles with chicken legs and bones. saw it with my own eyes and think it is such a very stupid thing to do. It interferes with the natural behaviour of the animals...they should be left alone thatīs how they survive best...

trust nature. I went on another wonderful trip with Captain Aman from Billy's Bay with my children. As for the last 10 years, we saw huge, beautiful, gators...none that wanted us. I felt safe, secure and excited. There is no need to fear nature. Most important, I found a large bull frog in my shoe and "freaked" out. I felt bad to remove him or her because it looked so comfortable. It actually backed into my clog. It looked so comfortable and took so much energy to "fit in". The end result was I moved the clog toward greener areas and never saw it again. Although I kept looking because it was so ugly it was cute. However, yesterday, in NEW YORK, suburbia, 25 miles from Time Square... my daughter found a gartner snake in my shoe in our basement.(2 feet long). We had screaming, crying, bla bla, bla, etc. Needless to say, I am moving....ha ha ha (only kidding) (hopefully she is). It doesn't matter where you travel, but how you respect the life in your environment. I wish Captain Aman was in my basement yesterday or Farmer Calvin, to respond better than I could have, let alone, no help from my daughter. Enjoy TB and respect nature and all. They were here long before us.

maybe i will restrict the swimming to the swimming pool!

In response to "speaking for nature", I have heard that since the Black River area is a protected area it is illegal to feed the crocs (or maybe its because the crocs themselves are protected). Please correct me if I'm wrong.

I came face to face with a croc ,the water well above my knees in the pond ,what look like a pice of log turn out to be a croc just about three feet between us ,i started sreaming .My grandmother standing at the side of the pond shouted stop screaming and stand still ,this i did .The croc then bring its body in full view(7-8 feet)swam away in a circle motion ,at this point i look back , wanting to run, my grandmother seeing my intention shout stay put he will chase you ,this i did shaking from head to toes .the croc came back and stop about four feet in front of me .my grandmother told me to step back slowly and look in its eyes she keep telling me dont take your eyes from his .while i step backward the croc keep coming fordward keeping its space of three to four feet .Looking back on that horrify event i think all that the croc wondering where this funny looking creature came from .the floks in the area afraid the croc would target thier livestocks seek the help of Rupert Gore(croc hunter).Rupert came with his equipments(boat ,harpoons & guns)and a couple of men.they battle with the croc for a week ,at one time puting the croc in the boat the croc turn the boat over in the middle of pond and the men all in the water .Someone name the croc Wally .wally became a intertainer for the community.

What a great story Denise. Thanks for sharing it!

Denise, I would have gone dead from fright!

I do not venture into ponds, lakes or canals in Florida.

I will not get to close to the ponds in Jamaica either.

Thanks Denise. Rupert Gore is the son of Sidney Gore, deceased, who was the brother of the famous Jim 'Crocodile/Babba' Gore also deceased. I think he is in Australia now.

Macford in Frenchmans? has many stories of Jim and crocs.

Thank you Turey,for that bit on Rupert.I did hear of the pasting of his father ,and wonder what had happen to him(Rupert).Macford my cousin,if anyone mention me to him ,he would tell them that he use to baby sit me ,but in his words -i use to change her napins.Its a fact most of these guys use to accompany Rupert on his hunts ,I remeber Rupert capturing a big croc on Crane road (black river),it block the road nothing could past for several days ,to access black you had to detour ,body completly across the road with more then twelve babies by her side.Rupert took her to his home in TB ,tie her on a tree for night ,he try to put her in his army jeep the next morning ,but had a big fight wiht her ,she broke ply wood and rope ,and every one took heels ,only to see that all she wanted to be with her young ones,after seeing this they tie her again put the babies in the jeep untie her from the tree ,she then walk to the jeep and get in all by herself. they took her to Kingston.everyone say this croc lie on the road to eat people -to me she just protecting her babies ,to much for her to keep eyes on in the water.Some time in the later part of 2006 a croc spotted in the sea on the north side of Grand Cayman ,capture in the early part of 2007 a test show this croc a salt water croc came from Cuba ,this puzzel me i never hear of salt water croc in Cuba .cuba looking now to open to tourism on a bigger scale .anyone with acknowlegment of this would be appreciated.

Wow, what a story Denise.

Some of the old boys around Sam Deleons Bar told me long ago you could hear the crocs barking and bellowing in the pond.

I wonder if Rupert took the big croc to Jim's used car place on Hagley Park Road. We used to play around them there long ago...you know how it go, Pickney cyan dead.


PS. Please tell Macford that the brindle dog is big and fat now and ruling in foreign, he will understand.

Best.

Turey ,croc hunting in those days means big bucks ,back then when you see someone with croc shoes or handbag(pocketbook)you say him/she rich.The meat for pet food .some country offer croc steak.The croc bellowing is a fact ,this is how the male gets the attention of the female when its time for mating .I sure will pass on your message to Macford .

Thanks Alice. I remember croc goods in the lovely cast iron crafts market downtown Kingston

I read that the English invading forces hunted and eat iguana around Great Bay. That would be around 1660. There is a photo in the Institute of Jamaica showing an older lady with two girls in Pedro Bluff in front of a thatched cottage, probably from about 1890. It is suggested that they where among the last remnant of the Taino people. Another source puts the last remnant in Parotee where my Great Grandmother Wynter was said to be from.

The same peoples must have closely resembled the original Taino in 1660. Imagine the lignum vitae forests, living with crocs and iguanas and yellow snakes which they were said to keep tame around their dwellings.

Dreaming on about how it was in TB on a sunny sunday aftenoon in British Columbia and looking forward to a sea bath and groundings soon.