Travel to Treasure Beach, Jamaica
Jamaican Sharon Feanny is one of the island’s leading wellness experts and master yoga teachers. She’s also the owner of Shakti Home – a sweet seaside villa in Treasure Beach, Jamaica.
“Shakti Home is my OM Away from Home… It’s my totally zen, private villa, right by the sea, in the best little fisherman’s village in the entire world. Trust me, this is the beach house you have been DREAMING of during these long weeks and months of quarantine,” Sharon shares.
Treasure Beach sits on Jamaica’s south coast, far-removed from any and all things even remotely favoring hustle and bustle. It’s an ideal getaway for those who want to escape the ‘go-go-go’ frenzy of our modern world – to stop, take a breath and truly recalibrate.
According to Sharon, Jamaica is a healing vortex.
“While the entire country has a healing vibe that is definitely very felt and acknowledged, there’s something extra special about the overall energy, air, water and community in Treasure Beach,” she says.
“I thoughtfully curated every nook of Shakti Home to mirror that healing energy of the Treasure Beach. My intention for every guest is that when you visit this villa, you feel a deep sense of inspiration, peace and relaxation.”
The cozy three bedroom villa, which sleeps six guests comfortably, is accented by nature-inspired decor, beautiful art, buddhas and plush luxurious bedding. Earthy conch shells and driftwood are prominent design elements. There’s also an artsy outdoor shower and shaded treehouse deck that hovers almost directly over the sea.
Steps away from a secluded beach cove, Shakti Home’s guests enjoy all meals and family time overlooking the stunning Caribbean sea.
“Supremely tasty, healthy, fresh food is the foundation of our daily menu. All meals are prepared by our warm in-house cook, Miss Audrey, using the finest local produce, freshly caught seafood and local meats. ”
“It’s the perfect retreat for snoozing in a hammock, reading a book with the soothing sea breeze against your skin, spending an entire day soaking in the natural plunge pool, sunbathing for hours at the beach, and exploring the untainted outdoors of village life,” Sharon says.
The people of Treasure Beach warmly embrace all visitors, and even though life there is simple and very much still untainted by modernity, there are loads of adventures to awaiting in the village and its neighboring towns.
Here are some of Sharon’s favorite things to do while staying at Shakti Home in Treasure Beach…
Floyd’s Pelican Bar
Leave from Treasure Beach and enjoy an approximately 30 minute boat ride along the mostly undeveloped coastline arriving at Floyd’s Pelican Bar. Voted as one of the 10 most unusual bars in the world, Pelican Bar is basically a bar on stilts in the middle of the sea, located on a sandbar. Enjoy a cold drink, swim and snorkel in the shallow waters around the bar, visit the souvenir shop, and get your name carved into the bar.
Boat Ride & Gourmet Picnic
If you want the ultimate boat trip to remember, then Captain Dennis’s Adventure Tours is not to be missed! Voted one of the number one things to do in Treasure Beach, Captain Dennis has built a reputation for being a knowledgeable and patient guide. During this memorable boat trip, you’ll first take a stop at Pelican Bar. Then your guide will take you on to a secluded beach where you can relax and enjoy the beach, swim, snorkel (weather permitting), play frisbee or enjoy a game of dominoes. Meanwhile, your guides will be preparing your lunch over an open fire. Your menu will include fresh grilled lobster, crab served on a grape leaf, steamed fish, vegetables and rice. Special diets can be accommodated upon request. With great seafood on offer and your choice of Red Stripe beer, rum punch, water, Appleton rum or Coke, you’ll be sure to be well fed and watered… It’s pure bliss!
Mosaics with Ronda
If you’re feeling creative and want to have a fun and artistic day to remember, then Mosaics with Ronda is the perfect way to spend your day. Ronda Darlyn is the resident mosaic artiste at Jakes hotel, who will pass on some of her extensive knowledge of mosaicing. You’ll learn about tiles, how to cut them, the different surfaces that can be mosaiced and the most appropriate adhesives. You can pick a project with everything from mirrors, trays or picture frames. You’ll be sure to find and make your own little treasure to take home from Treasure Beach with Ronda’s top-class help.
Dine at Jack Sprat, Breakfast at Smurfs
If you’ve worked up an appetite walking on the beautiful Treasure Beach and want to experience some local faire, dine at Jack Sprat! You’ll love the local fish and traditional cassava bread or bammies, fresh pancakes, fruit, and more! Eat till your heart’s content and enjoy the lovely surroundings and great company of Smurfs. You’ll be looked after by friendly and hospitable staff who’ll make you feel so welcome you’ll never want to leave. Don’t worry – you can work off the calories with a leisurely walk back on the beach or have a swim!
Smurf’s Famous Scooter Tours
Smurf’s Famous Scooter Tours begins at Smurf’s Bar where we familiarize you with your scooter and the rules of the road. Your guide will then lead you off to Ft. Charles which has one of the longest beaches in Jamaica. Stop for a few photos and enjoy the peace and serenity. Then off into the villages of Hill Top, Parrottee, Pondside and more. As you ride you will peak into the culture and history of Jamaican country living. See the goats roaming free and find out why everyone knows whose goat belongs to whom. Pick and taste a variety of exotic fruit. Learn of the importance to the area of the Black River morass. Hear local folklore. Stop by the local bar for a cool drink, a game of dominoes and good conversation. If you want to taste, touch, feel and know the real Jamaica, then this is the tour for you!
Play at Breds Sports Park
Breds Treasure Beach Sports Park aims to become the leading sports academy of the island.. The park has a picturesque 21 acres of sports land, with three football pitches, a top-quality cricket oval, fitness trail and a pavilion, as well as basketball, tennis, and kids play areas as well as quality bathroom and changing facilities. Whatever sports or athletics you want to see or take part in, the sports park is the perfect place to play in and get some exercise!
Red’s Hiking & Biking Tours
If you fancy seeing the lesser spotted corners of Treasure beach, then get yourself out on foot or in the saddle of a mountain bike and see what views and wildlife you can find off the beaten track. Grab a few cold beers with some great local picnic food and hit the trails around Treasure Beach – you won’t be disappointed. With over 20 years’ experience and Jamaica Tourist Board certified in tour guide and bird watching, our favorite tour guide, Reds, is absolutely our local hiking and biking expert! Whether you are looking for a scenic, leisure, or extreme experience hiking or biking Reds has a tour for you. Reds will help you get the most out of the waterfalls, great jungle wildlife and vegetation. Bike or hike for some of the best views of the local countryside and find your way to laid back living. Explore the local villages along the length of the beach and try some local food and drinks to refresh you while you travel.
Lover’s Leap
Drive through the heart of the farmland of South St. Elizabeth while climbing the Santa Cruz Mountains. Your destination? Lover’s Leap, the most romantic spot in Jamaica, located on a cliff towering 1,750 feet above the sea. Hear the romantic folklore of how Lover’s Leap got its name inspiring more than one novel. Enjoy the newly renovated and Jake’s operated restaurant and bar specializing in seafood, burgers, pizza, salads, and more. Dine on the verandah perched right on the edge of the cliff giving you an expansive view of the coastline below. Absolutely perfect spot for viewing the sunset! There’s also live music every Sunday at sunset. And, if you’re feeling for a challenge, you can hike the Lover’s Leap trail taking you down the cliff to the Caribbean Sea.
The Black River Boat Ride
Once again leave from Treasure Beach and ride along the South Coast where you reach the mouth of the Black River, the longest river in Jamaica. The Black River Boat Ride tour continues to take you up the Black River where crocodiles can be seen basking in the sun, and mangrove trees filled with a variety of birds line the shores along with reeds and ferns. Stop at Miss Lou’s and enjoy fresh crab caught right there served to you in a crab’s back. On your way back to Treasure Beach you will stop at the famous Pelican Bar. This trip is a minimum of 3 hours.
Hold a Vibz Cafe
Hold a Vibz Cafe serves healthy international cuisine made from local produce in a rootsy, bohemian setting. The menu includes scrumptious, yet healthy versions of your favorite meals, such as their famous hamburgers, fresh salads, soups, and so much more.
Book Shakti Home & any of the above experiences through Treasure Tours:
www.treasuretoursjamaica.com
All photos are contributed.
Shakti Home Photos by Suki MacDonald Kapahi
