Heavy Sands

Jamaica


A few kilometers southeast of Black River, these long stretches of dark sand are still undiscovered by most international tourists. Just don’t swim near the river mouth – crocodiles like to congregate here! You should be fine in the sea, but beware the tides as there will likely be no one around. Abutting it is Parottee Beach.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Jamaica attractions

1. Parottee Beach

1.2 MILES

Several kilometers south of Black River, this is essentially a continuation of Heavy Sands beach – more dark sand studded with shells and loads of clean…

2. Iron Bridge

2.59 MILES

Immediately east of High St is an old iron bridge, once known as the Imperial bridge, as it was constructed with materials from different corners of the…

3. Hendricks Building

2.61 MILES

At the east end of Black River’s High St is the Hendricks Building, dating from 1913, a fine example of period British-Caribbean architecture. Right next…

4. Zong Massacre Memorial

2.63 MILES

Virtually unnoticed by passers-by, this is a memorial to what came to be known as the Zong massacre – the throwing overboard of 133 African slaves by the…

5. High Street

2.67 MILES

Although it’s as frenetic and chaotic as any other High St in Jamaica, Black River’s High St (note, High St and Main St are used interchangeably here) is…

6. Parish Church of St John the Evangelist

2.73 MILES

There has been a church on this spot since the early 1700s, though its current incarnation, built from yellow bricks shipped from England, was completed…

7. Waterloo Great House

2.82 MILES

This elegant townhouse, a splendid example of the Jamaican vernacular style, with a shady wraparound veranda and jalousies, once belonged to John Leyden,…

8. Courthouse

2.87 MILES

This magnificent Georgian structure, built in the early 20th century, is home to the Legal Court and the parish council offices. In the past it doubled as…