Doctor's Cave Beach Club

Doctor's Cave Beach Club
—  Beach  —
Doctor's Cave Beach Club
Doctor's Cave Beach Club
Coordinates: 18°29′13″N 77°55′46″W / 18.4870778°N 77.9294318°W / 18.4870778; -77.9294318Coordinates: 18°29′13″N 77°55′46″W / 18.4870778°N 77.9294318°W / 18.4870778; -77.9294318[1]
Country	Jamaica
Parish	St James
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)

Doctor's Cave Beach Club, Montego Bay (also known as Doctor's Cave Bathing Club) has been one of the most famous beaches in Jamaica for nearly a century.

It is noted for its crystal-clear turquoise waters and near-white sand. Its sheltered location provides calm waters encouraging even the most diffident swimmers to practice safely.

History

Dr. Alexander James McCatty had founded a sanatorium in Montego Bay in 1880. He allowed his friends, including several doctors, to bathe at his small beach, which was entered through a cave. In 1906 he donated the property to the community, and the private members club was formed, which continues to this day.

In the 1920s, Sir Herbert Barker, an English osteopath, visited the beach and was impressed by the curative powers of the waters. He wrote an article which helped the beach become well known and gradually hotels were built nearby so that tourists could enjoy the beach.

To mark the centenary of the club a 15-foot-tall (4.6 m) bronze statue, Balance, by Basil Watson was unveiled on 18 November 2006. It features a woman being balanced above a man with their arms at full stretch.^[2]

Description

The beach has a broad swath of very clean, near-white sand some 200 m long. It is fringed by trees, and has numerous facilities: bar, restaurant, well-appointed changing rooms and showers. For members there are several club rooms.

As well as for members, the beach is open to the public (entry J$450/US$5.00). Chairs, umbrellas, and snorkel gear are available for rent (J$450/US$5.00 each). The beach can get crowded in season, but out of season its peace is only disturbed by the chant of holidaymakers undergoing organised games in the adjacent Breezes Hotel property some 200 m away.

The beach is part of the protected Montego Bay Marine Park, which has many species to be seen on coral reefs which can be viewed by snorkellers, probably using local boats to access the best locations.

References

1. ^ "Wikimapia". http://wikimapia.org/#lat=18.4870778&lon=-77.9294318&z=18&l=0&m=b&v=8. Retrieved 2009-09-07. 
2. ^ Sunday Gleaner 26 November 2006, page I1.

External links

• Aerial view
• Doctor's Cave Bathing Club
• Doctor's Cave Beach Hotel