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About Jamaica

Jamaica has a rich maritime history in all senses of the word. After Columbus’ discovery of Jamaica and its Taino Indian inhabitants in 1494, the Spanish used Port Royal - then known as Cayo de Carena, on the south east coast - as a shipyard to careen, refurbish and repair ships.

The first permanent settlement in Jamaica was started by the British in 1655 at this same location and resulted in a formal Naval Dockyard with defensive fortifications. The town became a thriving centre for trade and was renamed Port Royal.​

Port Royal soon became known as both the ‘Richest and most wicked city on earth’, with ground rents as high as in London, alongside tales of a gilded city with a ‘lavish and decadent lifestyle’, until 1692, when the town was ripped apart by a devastating earthquake - seeing two thirds of Port Royal sinking into the sea.

​Nowadays, Jamaica’s capital, Kingston, has the 7th largest natural harbour in the world; Port Antonio on the north east coast continues to invest in a revival of its former fame as a beautiful and idyllic cruising playground for rich business magnates, Royalty and Hollywood stars alike.

Suitably sized yachts visiting Kingston and Port Royal’s historic site can tie up at the nearby Royal Jamaica Yacht Club Marina, which is just 15 minutes away from the Norman Manley International Airport.

On the northwest coast, full FBO facilities are available from the IAM Jet Centre at the Montego Bay Sangster International Airport (see ‘Aircraft Charters / Ground Handling’ section).

Beyond this, yachts looking for a direct connection with Jamaica’s beautiful scenery, fabulous beaches and mountainous interior can moor up at Port Antonio’s Errol Flynn Marina on the north east coast (see ‘Marinas & Moorings’ section).Errol Flynn Marina also has a useful boatyard and haul out facility with a 100 ton Travel Lift on hand (see ‘Boatyards / Haul Out’ section) and there is even a helicopter landing facility onsite.

Errol Flynn Marina is named after the same iconic movie star, who owned an island in the bay (Navy Island). His legacy lives on and modern day rockstars, revelers and hedonists can now make use of the nearby, ‘Geejam Hotel & Music Recording Studio’, and the uniquely decadent, ‘Trident Hotel and Trident Castle’, all three located just minutes away from Errol Flynn Marina in the San San area.​

An island tour is an ‘absolute must’, when moored up at Errol Flynn Marina. One can hike in the famous Blue Mountains, take a refreshing dip in either the Somerset or the Reach Waterfalls, visit the beach and go surfing in Boston Bay… or simply just ‘hang out’ with the friendly local Jamaican people.

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