More Than Sun and Sand - Negril’s Seven Mile Beach

Living at the Jersey Shore, we’re very familiar with the beach during the summer months. The traffic, the beach badges, the crowded sands, the lists of rules. Michele and I took our first trip to Jamaica in April of 2009 and stayed at the Negril Beach Club, located on Negril’s Seven Mile Beach. We soon found out that it was a whole different world when compared to the beaches of the Jersey Shore that we’re used to! Here’s the travel tips you need to get the most out of your experience on the Jamaican beaches. Even if you’re staying somewhere other than Negril, the same general info applies.

We were fortunate to be staying at a beach club with direct access to the sands. A simple walk down the stairs from the room, a right turn, and about a hundred yards away was the beach, making it a short and sweet trip.

Staying on the west end of Negril or not at a beachfront property? No problem! By law, all beaches in Jamaica are open to the public to enjoy. It’s considered a right of all Jamaican citizens and visitors to enjoy the beaches without charge and the properties along the beach provide an access from the road for people to walk through. From there you can walk up and down the beach to find an ideal spot to spend the day.

Compared to most east coast beaches in the summer, Negril would be considered vacant. There was always a good amount of open space, even at the Beach Club that catered to travelers. A lifeguard was present at the club, however he was not the whistle-blowing rule enforcer we’re generally accustomed to. His main job seemed to be public relations; he would sit in the lifeguard chair and chat with people, then every couple of hours come down and walk around the beach, introducing himself and making sure beach patrons had everything they need, bring more beach chairs, and so forth.

A small bar was located on our property, nice for getting cold beverages to enjoy on the beach. Many of the adjacent properties also had similar bars. You can easily walk the sands to get your fill of Red Stripe and rum!

Because the beaches are public, it offers something you won’t see in the United States, the beach vendors. This may be a fond or unpleasant experience depending on how you view it. Vendors walk the beach selling everything from lobster and fruit to aloe, sandals, and jewelry. Of course, you haven’t been to Jamaica until a beach hustler tries to sell you the ganja! Beach vendors may be persistent, however if you tell them no a time or two and then ignore it, they will continue on. Engage them, and they’re likely to start a hard negotiation. Haggling is generally always acceptable to negotiate a price for goods.

The benefit is that you can spend the entire day on the beach and not need to leave your chair! In the morning, Jamaicans selling fresh squeezed juices would wander by. Once or twice a day the fruit lady would walk past with a large basket of pineapple, mango and coconut and cut it fresh. Around noon the Patty Man would make an appearance, riding a bicycle with an insulated container on front selling Jamaican patties, a delicious spicy meat filled pie. One of our favorite beach walkers was a gentleman that one of our cab drivers told us was referred to as ‘The Mighty Bass’. He walked the sands of Seven Mile Beach with a portable megaphone and would announce upcoming shows to crowds of sunbathers, always saying the show was going to be “HOT...Hot...hot”. His assistants would follow and hand out fliers promoting the upcoming concert.

Had enough sun and swimming and want to check out a jet ski? No problem! You can rent a jet ski, go parasailing, or take a glass bottom boat ride as well! Your biggest obstacle will be negotiating a price, and after that you’re free to go.

I have just one word of warning - once you’ve experienced the beaches in Jamaica the ones back home just don’t compare! Better keep your passport handy for another trip to the islands!

TRAVEL TIPS:

Bring all of your standard beach accessories including plenty of sunscreen!

All Jamaican beaches are public, no badges or fees are required and beachfront establishments have access paths to the sand. Taxi transportation is easily found; use only vehicles with red license plates and be sure to negotiate fares.

Alcoholic beverages may be consumed on the beach. Glass containers are acceptable, be courteous and take empty bottles away.

Beach vendors sell a variety of items and haggling is acceptable. Vendors will attempt to sell you many items including food, juice, jewelry, trinkets, aloe, and ganja. If approached and you are not interested, say no and you will generally be left alone. Be persistent with saying no if the seller continues, and they will walk on. Use common sense when buying; contrary to myth, ganja (marijuana) is illegal in Jamaica and while the laws are seldom enforced you may be subject to penalties if caught by authorities.

Lifeguards may or may not be present, depending on where you stay. Remember to swim within your abilities.

Topless sunbathing is permitted. More than that is a general no-no.

Jet skis, boat tours, parasailing and other activities are available. Be aware that these activities are generally not regulated like in the United States.