Port Antonio - General Info
Description:
This port lies on Jamaica’s northeast coast. It comprises of East Harbor and West Harbor with a narrow, well-marked (and lit) channel between the two. The marina and cruise ship terminal are in the West Harbor.
It is a good place to visit, however, cruisers have reported being a little put off by the constant attention from hustlers.
Kingston is approximately 1.5 to 2 hour drive away and is well serviced by taxis, buses or rental cars. The nearest international airports are in Kingston or Montego Bay.
Entrance Notes and Cautions:
Pilotage into the harbor is very straightforward. There are no hazards.
Cruiser Highlights:
A visit to the Blue Lagoon, only a few miles from Port Antonio and bamboo rafting down the Rio Grande are recommended by cruisers who have visited the area.
Position:
18° 10.95’N,76° 27.34’W (West Harbor)
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Feedback from SV Kookaburra:
We checked into Errol Flynn Marina (EFM) on Feb 15, 2023, and had a wonderful stay in Port Antonio. Marina is very laid back with good facilities. We paid no fees to check in as we decided to not get the cruising permit ($150 US) and just do land travel from EFM. Short term dockage was $0.95 US/day, or you can anchor out at $25 US/day.
Fruits & veggies abound at the street market a short walk out of the marina.
A car was $70-90 US/day with weekly rates available, but an overnight in Kingston (orchid cottage +++++) with provisioning at the Price smart and some mountain touring was excellent. We rented a car on another day and went to Ocho Rios to do Dunn’s river falls, big cruise ship spot, and the next morning did Nanny Falls in Mooretown – the polar opposite of a tourist site.
Customs & Immigration was easy and straight forward.
Keith Pomeroy
Port Antonio – Errol Flynn marina July 2018 Had to stop in Jamaica for repair and ended up at Port Antonio Marina, George greeted us warmly in the early morning and was very helpful in all necessary procedures and throughout our stay since was our first time in Jamaica. Marina is 5 minutes walk to downtown Port Antonio will all necessary facilities close by. Enjoyed our stay.
Reported by Brian Simm – 17 January, 2018:
We were aboard our Sundeer 56 on a mooring at the Errol Flynn Marina, Port Antonio. At 5.30 in the morning, a knocking on the boat awoke us. We had drifted in no wind conditions onto another yacht. The fault was a failed mooring, with the chain breaking from the concrete sinkers, while still attached to boat with buoy.
These marina moorings, $25 a night, were laid 2 or 3 years ago with chain risers to metal buoys in perhaps 10m of water. This system means light duty chains to keep the weight down. The Marina expect to inspect the chains. In the meantime, we had a dispensation to anchor but still had to pay @$25 a night.
In general, the Marina is a safe location in very good shelter. The dock master George is helpful and experienced, while the young business graduate manager is less so. The Marina includes a small cruise ship dock, long dock for larger yachts, 10 inside fingers, 10 randomly laid moorings and a haul out facility to an empty yard.
Brian Simm
April 2016, Marina rates have been raised to $25/night for a mooring. The marina tells everyone that they cannot anchor anywhere in the West Bay, including just south of Navy Island. This leaves only the more exposed east bay for free anchoring, which looks settled in easterly winds, but gets some slight swells in NE and N winds.
The West Bay moorings are good, and in a well-protected area, although clubs in town usually play loud music, which fills the bay until 3 am often. Dock is in good shape, but more breeze out on a mooring. 2nd-floor restaurant closed, but the neighboring restaurant “Marybelle’s” has good wifi, pool, and cold drinks. Marina manager seemed inconvenienced to fix problems or answer questions. Good for a short stopover.
Posted on behalf of Naja:
We just arrived in Port Antonio. Now you have to pay 15 USD for anchoring or take a mooring in the Westhaven and with 2 persons on board. There is an additional fee for each person more than 2. The moorings are looking good, we feel very safe and the harbour/Bay is really calm and protected.
Marina staff are helpful and friendly. We were not visited by marine police till today, only customs, immigration and health officer visited us. We arrived after the normal office time (after 5 pm) and they have to come for us again – without any charge!
My favorite “hustler” is Preston, working at the Port Antonio Yacht Club. He’s friendly, and honest, not pushy. After getting ice, beer, groceries, etc. bought and delivered, he gives me my change and receipts and I basically pay him twenty percent of the total cost. To me, it’s well worth it.
Update on Port Antonio, Jamaica Wapiti April 2015
The channel to the marina in West Bay is clearly marked and well lit. It is possible to anchor off the marina with good holding and plenty of space or alongside berths may be available. The anchoring charge is $12 US per night which includes use of showers, pool, WIFI etc. Alongside berths are $0.95US per foot for a 40ft boat and there is a daily garbage and environmental fee of $3 US at anchor or in a berth.
Water is $0.12US per gallon and electricity is $0.60US per kwh. (Electricity is available 110V at 50Hz (not 60Hz like most of the Caribbean) and 220V as 110V each on active and neutral so it is important that the boat’s electrical system can handle this)
Communications: WIFI in the marina is good. Sim cards are available in the town from Digicel and Lime for unlocked devices and broadband connection time can be purchased.
Supplies: There are several poorly stocked mini supermarkets, the best being Kamal’s, and Ramtulla a short way out of town. Both take Visa and Mastercard. The fruit and vegetable market is well stocked and good quality. Cash only!
ATM’s are available but National Commercial Bank should be avoided as sometimes the account is debited but no cash is issued. Car Hire is available in town from Eastern Car Rentals. The marina is a short walk from town and is built to a good standard.
There is a coin operated laundry – about $3.50 per load. Late night noise from shore venues can be a problem. The staff are very helpful and we recommend this marina.
Roger Morgan and Sue Lister
Wapiti April 2015