Grand Begonia Beach: Golden Shore in St. Thomas, Jamaica

A gilded, powdery seaside in this less-explored parish can feel like found treasure! Many of the island’s south-east shores are darker compared to the north coast’s beach holiday havens. Unlike many(most) Jamaican beachfront accommodations, Grand Begonia Resort admits public access to its slice of the coast. 

The shore is lined with a wall which isolates it from the hotel rooms. On this day, palm trees dotting the warm sand provided sufficient shady shelter from the tropical sun. Walking barefoot was almost non-negotiable during the heights of afternoon heat. Sunlight danced on the sparkling, turquoise sea. From our blanketed spot, the waves seemed gentle enough but were forceful in some areas and swelled above the heads of swimmers at times. 

The venue operates from daytime into the night and sometimes hosts weekly and themed events. My introductory visit to Grand Begonia Beach was the first in a very long time spending a full day by the sea. After the sun sunk behind distant hills, a fire pit on the sand lit up the space. Soft, coloured lights and bar music filled the air under a Saturday night sky. Light from LED strip-lined structures partnered with the moon to give a peek of the water in darkness as it kissed the shore.