Jamaica: Harbours, bridges and formalities for sailors
39 harbours
Jamaica: 39 harbours, clearing in, papers and fees. Plan your trip with weather, tides and route.
Formalities
outside the EU customs unionCurrency: Jamaican dollar
Clearing in: Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Clear in at Port Antonio (Errol Flynn Marina), Kingston (Royal Jamaica Yacht Club), Montego Bay (Montego Bay Yacht Club) or Ocho Rios, flying the yellow flag; Port Kaiser, Port Esquivel and Discovery Bay are commercial ports. Customs (crew list, boat papers, inspection on board), immigration (PICA, all passports) and the health authority. Anyone cruising along the island files a float plan in advance; a cruising permit is issued for it, deviations are fined.
Ausreise: Clear out at a port of entry before departure (port clearance): the next state asks for the certificate on clearing in.
Documents: Passport valid for the length of stay; Germans visa-free up to 90 days. Boat papers, insurance, crew list.
Fees: No fees for clearing in and out during office hours (8 am to 5 pm on weekdays), otherwise overtime of around 68 USD according to sailors; cruising permit 150 USD according to sailors.
Fairway: Buoyage follows IALA system B: red to starboard when entering from seaward, the reverse of Europe. Reefs and cays off the south and east coasts (Portland Bight, Morant Cays, Pedro Bank); the approach to Kingston is buoyed.
Nature: Montego Bay Marine Park and Negril Marine Park: an Bojen festmachen, nicht auf Riffen ankern, Speerfischen verboten.
Tropical storm season: 1 June to 30 November, peak August to October. Shelters according to sailors: the inner harbour of Port Antonio, Kingston Harbour (Port Royal), Bowden Harbour. Insurers usually restrict cover: check your policy.
Emergency: Police 119, fire brigade and ambulance 110; Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard on VHF channel 16.
Sources: Visit Jamaica: Cruising to Jamaica, Cruisers Wiki: Jamaica, Noonsite: Jamaica, Auswärtiges Amt: Jamaica, travel and safety advice (as of 2026-10-20)
Harbours by cruising area
Jamaica: north coast (Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Negril)
- Discovery Bay
- Drax Hall
- Elgin Town
- Falmouth
- Florence Hall
- Hopewell
- Johnson Town
- Montego Bay Yacht Club
- Priory
- Rio Bueno
- Runaway Bay
- Salem
- Salt Marsh
- Sandy Bay
- White River
- Yacht Harbour Marina
Jamaica: northeast (Port Antonio, Port Maria)
- Annotto Bay
- Boscobel
- Boundbrook Wharf
- Drapers
- Errol Flynn Marina
- Oracabessa
- Port Maria
- Saint Margaret's Bay
Jamaica: south coast (Kingston, Port Royal, Black River)
Frequently asked questions
Jamaica: Do I need to clear in?
Independent state, outside the EU and Schengen. Clear in at Port Antonio (Errol Flynn Marina), Kingston (Royal Jamaica Yacht Club), Montego Bay (Montego Bay Yacht Club) or Ocho Rios, flying the yellow flag; Port Kaiser, Port Esquivel and Discovery Bay are commercial ports. Customs (crew list, boat papers, inspection on board), immigration (PICA, all passports) and the health authority. Anyone cruising along the island files a float plan in advance; a cruising permit is issued for it, deviations are fined.
Jamaica: Which documents do I need on board?
Passport valid for the length of stay; Germans visa-free up to 90 days. Boat papers, insurance, crew list.
Jamaica: What fees apply?
No fees for clearing in and out during office hours (8 am to 5 pm on weekdays), otherwise overtime of around 68 USD according to sailors; cruising permit 150 USD according to sailors.
Jamaica: What is the emergency number at sea?
Police 119, fire brigade and ambulance 110; Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard on VHF channel 16.
Jamaica: How many harbours does Sailseer cover?
Sailseer covers 39 harbours with harbour info, weather and route planning.