Stop Beach Erosion


Hellshire Beach, Jamaica, has near white sands with a very small trace of black sand. Exposed when there is a sea running to the south, the waters close to shore are often quite cloudy due to the stirred-up sand. It is a popular public beach conveniently located for the residents of Portmore and weekend visitors from Kingston. The erosion is a result of sea level rise and deterioration on the coastline's natural defense - the coral reefs - caused by rising ocean temperatures and pollution. Major hurricanes in 2004 and 2007 have also contributed significantly to the erosion. Today there isn't much of a sandy beach left on Hellshire. If you would like to help to stop this erosion, join us.
 
Why should we save Hellshire beach?
  1. It was actually called “Healthshire”, a popular health retreat. By the way, historical records revealed that scores of run-away slaves escaped to Healthshire and thrived there for many years before they were captured by the Maroons! Over the decades, the name seemed to evolve to Hellshire as we now know it.
  2. Mouth Watering Jamaican Food                                                               The fish at Hellshire beach is one of the best on the island! Coconut water and jelly vendors are just a step away to ease the burning escovitch sauce, which is a great tradeoff for the incredible taste of the fish and will have you going back for more. Other beverages are readily available from the many other stalls.
  3. Convenient Location                                                                          Hellshire Beach is located in Portmore, just 20 minutes away from bustling Kingston city and just about 1 ½ hour from Ocho Rios.  It’s mostly a hangout area for locals and nearby visitors but tourists also take the time to visit and experience this awesome chill spot!
  4. This beach has lots of vendors. By supporting the locals, the whole community benefits.
  5. The best time to visit Hellshire beach will certainly depend on you. If you prefer lighter and smaller crowds, you may want to visit during weekdays, while weekends and holidays are a buzz with large crowds and more activities. Hotels, Air B&B are nearby Hellshire amidst all the fun and delectable meals.

At Hellshire, all 'hell' is breaking loose with the receding shoreline. With each day, the erosion problem gets worse. The business owners will tell you that they have had to move their shops back many times to avoid being swept away by the emerging sea water. A study found that it would cost at least US $ 1.5 million to stop the erosion by building a breakfront to reduce the impact of the waves.

We must stop the erosion as soon as possible. The livelihood of many business owners and residents hangs in the balance; therefore, Jamaica needs Hellshire beach. Please donate, purchase our music, purchase our merchandise and books. All proceeds will be used to help in restoring the beach.