While the Jamaican diaspora abroad appears mostly in favour of the government’s pledge for free, open access to public beaches, some are also voicing concerns that access must be matched by sustained maintenance and proper oversight.

At the recently concluded 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, held from June 15-17 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre, St. James, several delegates, speaking with reporters, said that while in theory the cries for “unfettered” public access to beaches are great, modern amenities, and robust safety measures are needed to avoid turning openness into a poor substitute for real, usable public spaces.

“Access is the first principle,” said Ernie Muirhead, a security specialist from out of Florida, echoing the collective sentiment that public beaches belong to all Jamaicans.

“But access without maintenance is a half-measure. Our beaches must be clean, safe, and welcoming if they are to serve as true public goods for all families.”

Muirhead, who also owns and operates the Treasure Beach Inn in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth, said that it is his observation, as well as “many others” that many of the public beaches scattered around Jamaica equate to run-down facilities, inconsistent cleanliness, and a lack of essential amenities, undermining the very openness the government seeks to protect.

Public beaches in Lucea, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Port Antonio have become flashpoints in a broader debate over access versus quality. While officials stress that every Jamaican, wherever they live, should be able to enjoy the coast, diaspora advocates say open shores must be matched by clean facilities, functioning restrooms, upgraded changing areas, reliable lifeguards, and a transparent plan for resources dedicated to upkeep.

They caution that without concrete steps, the policy risks inviting more people to beaches that are poorly maintained or unsafe.

“To be honest, I would feel a lot safer paying the entrance fee and taking my family to say Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay, St. James or Puerto Seco in Discovery Bay, St. Ann as opposed to any unmanned free public beach,” said Doreen Blackwood, a businesswoman from Atlanta, USA.

“I don’t like surprises, and I hate to be harassed and bothered. And honestly, you will be in for a rude awakening at almost any of these beaches with free access. It’s simply a case where we have to decide what it is that we want. I am all for free public access, but someone must be willing to pay for the amenities.”

Maintenance and cleanliness are clearly at the top of the list of demands. Diaspora members are asking for regular cleaning, timely waste management, and routine landscaping to keep shoreline amenities inviting for picnics, swimming, and other family activities.

They are also calling for replenished supplies, better trash and recycling programmes, and more frequent maintenance cycles so public spaces reflect a sense of national pride rather than neglect.

Restroom facilities were also flagged as a persistent pain point. Advocates argued for accessible, hygienic facilities with no user fees or long lines, supported by a reliable water supply and pumping systems to sustain comfort during peak seasons.

Changing facilities followed closely, with calls for private-changing cubicles, shaded areas, and seating that accommodate families and seniors.

“Lifeguards and safety are also non-negotiable. There must be a mandated lifeguard presence on all popular beaches during daylight hours, with rotating shifts and trained personnel capable of rapid emergency response. Visible safety signage, first-aid stations, and regular drills should be standard features, not sporadic add-ons,” explained retired businessman Anthony Nelson from Orlando, Florida.

Nelson, a former Titchfield High School, Portland football standout, said that harassment prevention remains a critical concern.

“An anti-harassment framework, including on-site security personnel and a dedicated reporting channel, is essential to protect families from unruly behaviour and unscrupulous elements that have marred some beach experiences,” he said.

Prime Minister Holness has made it clear that the government is fully committed to public access and that every Jamaican has that right.

His remarks frame the issue as a matter of national identity and inclusive prosperity. He has insisted that “a free beach is not merely a policy statement but a pledge to ‘our people’ that the coast belongs to every Jamaican, and that ‘we will steward’ these spaces with the respect they deserve.

Analysts describe the discourse as a balancing act between universal rights and fiscal realities.

“By focusing on real-world improvements—cleanliness, accessible restrooms, private-changing spaces, reliable lifeguards, and an anti-harassment framework—the government, with diaspora support, can turn public beach access from a principle into a practical, enduring benefit,” explained Businessman Garfield Dussard, a scuba-diving operator from Ocho Rios, St. Ann.

Local officials in coastal parishes say they are prepared to collaborate with diaspora organisations on pilot programs for maintenance and safety, including potential public-private partnerships to fund restrooms, showers, and lifeguard stations, all under community oversight to ensure accountability.