Contractors sought for modernisation drive for Fantasy, Pagee and Success beaches

For most Jamaicans, a day at the beach means makeshift stalls, limited shade, and decades-old facilities but the Government plans to change that — upgrading three public beaches in quick succession, led by Priory's Fantasy Beach in St Ann.

The plan for modern facilities comes eight years after initial announcements. The other beaches are Pagee Beach in St Mary and Success Beach in St James, both currently under tender for contractors. Together they form Phase 2 of the Tourism Enhancement Fund's (TEF) beach modernisation drive — a programme that has survived budget and policy cycles.

For Fantasy Beach, the ambition is considerable. The scope of works, as described in the tender, calls for "comprehensive redevelopment of Priory Beach to enhance its functionality as a modern, vibrant public beach destination while maintaining access for traditional fishing activities and community use," with construction phased to allow continued public access where feasible.

Architectural renderings produced by Yahso Ltd give shape to that ambition. They show a low-slung, modernist facility set directly behind the beachfront, with a solar panel-covered roof running the length of the main structure. A landscaped lawn and dedicated cycling and walking path separate the North Coast Highway from the beach buildings. On the sand-facing side, open-air dining and bar facilities sit behind hardwood decking, beside a sand volleyball court and a covered sea-to-table fishing counter where vendors and visitors interact directly. An aerial view shows a structured parking and entry zone off the highway, a solar-canopied walkway connecting road to beach, and a pier extending over the water at the eastern end.

The tender document lingers on that fishing counter. It describes "a sea-to-table experience with live demonstrations showcasing traditional fishing methods and the journey of seafood from harvest to preparation and consumption, supported by display and activity zones designed for educational and cultural engagement."

The two beaches being tendered alongside Priory follow a similar design philosophy. Success Beach — situated behind Seacastles Resort in St James — is designed around a series of open pavilions with distinctive butterfly or wing roofs, which the tender describes as sculptural forms intended for rainwater harvesting while creating "a playful, modern beach identity." The facility would include an open-air restaurant seating 83 persons, a bar with an outdoor deck for 158, six retail kiosks along a boardwalk, an amphitheatre, a children's play area, beach volleyball courts, an outdoor gym, five lifeguard huts, and parking for some 56 vehicles. A secondary boardwalk leads to a pier for boat excursions and fishing.

Pagee Beach in Port Maria — within walking distance of the town centre — is envisioned as "a vibrant, inclusive, and culturally expressive public beach destination," according to the tender. The design's defining feature is a set of origami-inspired roof canopies described as "bold forms reminiscent of billowing sails and folded coastal fabric," expressed in vibrant colours and angular geometries. The facility would include an open-air restaurant and bar, retail kiosks, an amphitheatre for cultural events and live performances, a children's play area, outdoor gym facilities, beach volleyball courts, and a serpentine boardwalk linking activities along the beachfront. Changing cubicles are designed as sculptural seashell-inspired enclosures, with overlapping curves intended to enhance privacy while maintaining natural ventilation. The tender puts the construction period at 24 months.

The vision, if built, would place all three beaches alongside Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay as the few government-owned coastal facilities in Jamaica offering modern amenities.

The gap between vision and reality, however, has defined this project from the start.

The TEF issued its procurement notice for Priory on April 2, 2026. Tender submissions close July 3, 2026. The completion target is November 1, 2028. The Government first announced the project in 2018, when it estimated the cost at US$2 million. Community consultations on the design were held in December 2021.  

In 2020, Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett  announced that 13 public beaches across seven parishes were to benefit from major improvements in his sectoral debate presentation.  Apart from Fantasy, Pagee and Success the others included Rocky Point, St. Thomas; Winnifred, Portland; Guts River, Manchester; Orchard and Watson Taylor, Hanover; Alligator Pond and Crane Road, St. Elizabeth; Rio Nuevo, St. Mary; Salem, St. Ann; and Closed Harbour in St. James.

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