Captain Joseph of One Love Boat Tours in Treasure Beach, Jamaica

Captain Joseph Brown, native of Treasure Beach, is fluent in French and German, as well as English, but it’s his adventures at sea that speak magic to all

aptain Joseph Brown, founder of One Love Boat Tours, is a native of the quiet, South Jamaican fishing village of Treasure Beach, and has been navigating its waters for 25 years. He is a friend of the sea, and having survived adrift for two weeks at age 15, understands first-hand that safety is key to every successful excursion. A husband, father and lifelong entrepreneur, he has been offering boat tours since 1990 in his colorful and comfortable, completely renovated 30-foot fiberglass boat. He and his staff— wife Paula, Chiston, Shamar and Feddy — ensure every guest experiences an unforgettable excursion.

A natural host, Captain Joseph offers a range of boat tours. These include his Kingfish cookout on a private beach (truly unique, we can’t recommend this highly enough), a trip to Pelican Bar (the now famous shanty shack built out in the middle of the sea), a tour up the Black River (home to crocodiles and other native species) plus other excursions, depending on the time of year and weather. Here’s some of what you can expect:

PELICAN BAR

No trip to Jamaica is complete without a visit to this rustic stick-built bar on stilts perched on a sandbar a quarter-mile offshore. Tell Captain Jospeh that you want to have a bite while you’re there and he’ll call ahead to have lunch caught and prepared for when you arrive. Knock back an ice-cold Red Stripe and marvel at the assortment of memorabilia left by tourists from around the world as you get familiar with the place. You’ll have plenty to talk about while sitting on the planked walkways and dangling your legs in the sea.

KING FISH COOKOUT

Every dream about spending time on a secluded stretch of beach in Jamaica? This is it. Only here, over half a day, Captain Joseph and his team will cook a sumptuous lunch of fresh kingfish, lobster, vegetables and other delicacies over an open fire. A thatch-covered canopy, and plenty of cold drinks, provide a welcome respite from the Caribbean sun and heat. No extra charge for dolphin sightings! Still up for more? Continue on…

BLACK RIVER SAFARI

The Black River is one of the longest rivers in Jamaica. At a length of 53.4km (33miles). Its name refers to the darkness of the river bed caused by thick layers of decomposing vegetation. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded in the Black River morass and Crocodiles.

THE BLACK RIVER LOWER MORASS

The Black River Lower Morass (also known as the Great Morass) covers 125 square miles and is the largest wetland wildlife habitat in the Caribbean. The Morass is formed by the Black River and its tributaries making a large freshwater swamp. Scattered across the swamp are tiny islands, reed banks, lagoons and mangroves.

WILDLIFE

The Morass provides a breeding ground for a diverse range of wildlife, including nursery pools for baby fish and nesting grounds for birds. Over 100 species of birds have been identified in the Morass, including egrets, ospreys and herons, flamingos are even known to nest here from time to time. Commonly found fish include snapper, jack and snook. Plant life includes thatch palm, Brazil nut and red mangrove. However, the most prominent animals in the great morass are shrimp (Black River is the shrimp capital of Jamaica) and, of course, crocodiles!

BIRDS ON THE BLACK RIVER UPPER MORASS

The Black River Great Morass is an Important Bird Area in southwestern Jamaica. This IBA is the island’s largest freshwater wetland and lies on the coastal flood plain of the Black River. According to BirdLife International’s Important Bird Areas in the Caribbean: it consists of low marshland with limestone islands and is significant as a stronghold for the Vulnerable West Indian Whistling-Duck and for important numbers of the Near Threatened Caribbean Coot and White-crowned Pigeon. It also supports populations of 15 (of the 36) Jamaica Endemic Bird Area restricted range species. In addition, large numbers of Pied-billed Grebes have been recorded and regionally important populations of gulls and terns are found on the coast.

Let us know what sounds good to you and the Jakes Front Desk will be happy to arrange! Call 1-876-965-3000

TREASURED SECRETS

“Arrange a voyage with Captain Joseph to Beach Point, just down the coast from Jakes. Miles of untouched sand and calm ocean waters, plus a bountiful luncheon of local specialties prepared and served on site by Captain Joseph. Afternoon naps in the shade and the possibility of dolphins accompanying the canoe while motoring back to Jakes.”