Jamaica / Special Interests / Yachts clubs and marinas

If you do sail into Jamaican waters, then on arrival and departure you must first head for one of the official ports of entry to clear Immigration and Customs. These are Port Royal in Kingston, Montego Bay, Port Antonio, Ocho Rios, Port Kaiser (east of Treasure Beach), Discovery Bay and Bowden in Port Morant (to the east of Kingston on the south shore).

Yacht Clubs

Royal Jamaica Yacht Club, Kingston - Formed in 1884 and granted a Royal Charter in 1889, the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club is located next to Norman Manley International Airport on the Palisadoes Peninsula. The club has regular weekend races within Kingston Harbour, plus two annual regattas, one early in the year at the end of Jan/Feb, and the other during Independence celebrations in August. The club has more than 100 boats berthed; two-thirds of which are powerboats. Marina slips take vessels up to 50ft. Visitor dock can take boats up to 150ft. Docks are lit; there is 24hr security; berths are power serviced and have metered potable water. Gasoline, diesel and ice are available and there is a three ton crane. There is a clubhouse with bar and restaurant overlooking Kingston Harbour, which serves lunch daily, with breakfast and dinner subject to local demand. There is also a swimming pool.

Montego Bay Yacht Club, Freeport Peninsula - The club is located in the protected basin of Montego Bay Freeport and has berthing facilities on a finger pier with T-head with drafts of 6ft-20ft with boats using their own anchors. Dock rates for visiting yachts are from US87¢ per foot, per day up to a seven-day period after which it drops to US 56¢. To anchor in the basin off the club there is a daily charge of US$6 per person per day plus tax and service for use of club facilities. Water, diesel and ice are available. The club can arrange for Customs and Immigration clearance. Club facilities include a restaurant and bar open daily for lunch and dinner, swimming pool and laundry service.

Marinas

Pier 1 Marina, Montego Bay - Located midway along Montego Bay’s waterfront within a couple of minutes walking distance of the town centre. Home base for day sail operators. Has docking for boats up to 150ft with a 15ft draft, potable water, electricity, bathrooms and a popular restaurant and bar, later a venue for musical events and reggae concerts.

Glistening Waters Marina, Falmouth - Base mainly for sports fishing charters with slips for 30 boats.

Errol Flynn Marina, Port Antonio - An impressive facility completed in 2002 with facilities for yachts up to 350ft. 24hr Customs and Immigration service, 32 fixed dockage berths (European), cable TV link up, information centre with internet access, fresh water, single and three phase power with 450, 220 and 110 volt, 30/50/100 Hz electrical facilities, sewage pump-out, shore storage, shower and laundry facilities, provisioning service and crew bar. General marina and cruise ship port facilities include a beach, swimming pool, bar, restaurant, ice cream parlour and dive shop. Within easy walking distance of town centre.