Port Royal

Port Royal & Royal Jamaica Yacht Club – Where Pirate Legends Meet Caribbean Berths

At the mouth of Kingston Harbour—one of the largest natural harbours in the world—lies Port Royal, once lauded as the “wickedest city on Earth.” Today, it serves as home to the Royal Jamaica Yacht Club (RJYC), the primary marina and anchorage for sailors arriving in Jamaica from the wider Caribbean or northern South America.

Gateway to Jamaica

Port Royal is historically significant and strategically placed at the eastern entrance to Kingston Harbour—protected by the Palisadoes spit and guarded by colonial-era Fort Charles and the Plumb Point Lighthouse. The RJYC occupies the western tip of Port Royal, offering sheltered waters and convenient access to Kingston’s port authorities and capital city services.

The Marina & Anchorages

The Royal Jamaica Yacht Club offers around 120 permanent berths, accommodating vessels up to 50 ft, plus a visitor dock designed for yachts as large as 150 ft. Berths are equipped with 110V / 220V shore power, metered water, well-lit docks, and services like showers and toilets. Many sailors opt to anchor in the mud-bottomed waters outside the marina, which Navily users say is “very quiet and perfectly protected,” with dinghy access to the docks for approximately USD 13/day to use yacht club amenities

On-Site Facilities & Yacht Support

RJYC provides more than just a berth—it delivers convenience in a relaxed setting. On-site facilities include: Clubhouse with bar & restaurant, offering lunch, snacks, and occasional dinner service, all with sweeping views of Kingston and the Blue Mountains Swimming pool, event spaces, and soft social activities for both sailors and members Light shop provisioning, booking assistance, occasional weekend races, and regattas organised through the Jamaica Yachting Association

Although RJYC lacks a full-service boatyard, cruisers may arrange haul-outs and technical repairs at Montego Bay Yacht Club or Errol Flynn Marina if needed—or rely on Kingston’s limited workshop facilities nearby

Port Royal: Ghost Town to Heritage Hub

Once a pirate republic and haven for privateers such as Henry Morgan, Port Royal’s fortunes changed on 7 June 1692 when a catastrophic earthquake liquefied the sandy spit and sank much of the city into the sea. Thousands died, and what remained was swiftly eclipsed by Kingston to the west.

Today, Port Royal is being redeveloped as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (as of mid-2025), with restored buildings, a floating cruise pier, the ruins of Fort Charles, and an underwater archaeology museum showcasing a submerged city frozen in time.

Sailors visiting via RJYC can take short tours of:

Fort Charles: Jamaica’s oldest fort, built in the 1650s—now open to the public.

Giddy House: A tilted building still standing, tilted by the 1907 quake.

The Port Royal Museum, housing artefacts discovered from underwater excavations.

Kingston – Culture, Cuisine & Urban Anchorage

Although Port Royal is tranquil and historical, Kingston—the capital—is just a short drive or taxi-boat ride away. Here you’ll find galleries, music venues, the Bob Marley Museum, Devon House, vibrant street food, and a buzzing nightlife scene

Customs and immigration arrivals are typically processed via Kingston, although pilots often coordinate with RJYC to expedite clearance for vessels entering southern Jamaica

Sailing the Harbour

Kingston Harbour stretches 16 km by 3.2 km, making it properly marine-scaled but often impacted by agricultural runoff and industrial discharge at its northern and western edges. Approaching flows should avoid ammunition-laden areas near Rockfort or industrial docks. Anchor in the southern-mouth basin near Port Royal for clear water and scenic shelter

Visitor Fees: Approx USD 13/day for anchorage + yacht club access; berthing for yachts under 50 ft included in membership

Final Assessment

For sailors navigating Jamaica’s southern coast, Royal Jamaica Yacht Club offers the perfect balance of history, service, and security. It’s not a glamorous superyacht hub, but it exceeds expectations as a friendly, protective, and culturally rich stopover.

Port Royal’s legacy and RJYC’s facilities elevate this anchorage from functional to fascinating. It’s where cruisers can anchor among pirate lore and colonial ruins, provision in a capital city, and slip into the storytelling spirit of the Caribbean—all anchored securely in one of the world’s grandest harbours.