Sailing & yachting in Jamaica - Cruises to Caribbean Sea

Sailing and yachting, beside cruises to Caribbean Sea, are the most popular ways to reach Jamaica and the chartered and personal boats can be sailed into a large number of harbors around Jamaica.
Jamaica lies within the Caribbean Sea, which is known worldwide for its perfect cruises and sailing conditions; the water is always warm and there are plenty of beautiful islands to visit. Unfavorable trade winds and coral reefs may pose some threat to sailors, but there are a few other things to be aware of:
- On Jamaica's northeastern coast you will find the strongest currents and largest waves. This is because this side is close to the Atlantic Ocean.
- The best time for sailing is January through March, but you'll find higher prices throughout the Caribbean when sailing during these months.
- Remember that between July and November in the Caribbean Sea are many summer rains and even hurricanes. This will cause choppy waters and possibly unpleasant conditions.
Private sailing boats to Jamaica and Caribbean cruises with stops on this island must enter the country through an official port. Immigration and customs services are available at the following ports:
- Kingston's Port Royal
- Montego Bay
- Port Antonio
- Ocho Rios
- Port Kaiser
- Port Esquivel
- Discovery Bay
- Bowden
For tourists wanting to spend some time cruising around Jamaica, the customs officers can issue you a "Coast wide Clearance" form. This form allows you to sail along the coast and must be presented when you visiting other ports. You will need to clear customs when you arrive at your first port and also when you depart from Jamaica's territorial waters. Customs officers will indicate to the captain when they have inspected the ship and cleared it through customs.
While some vacationers have can sail alone to Jamaica, many other travelers choose to charter a yacht to enjoy cruises to other Caribbean islands too. Such charters are usually rented for a week or 10 days. If you rent a yacht, you'll need to choose between three charter options, bareboat, skippered bareboat, and crewed charter. Experienced sailors may wish to charter bareboat, where the boat and the equipment are included, but you and your companions are the skipper and the crew. Bareboat charters will require proof of your qualifications and some include a tutorial of the Caribbean Sea, including important items like the locations of reefs and safe harbors.
The charter company may reserve the right to insist that, based on your knowledge and experience, you take a skipper for at least the first several days of your journey. Should this be the case, the company will not pay the cost of the skipper, that cost will fall to you too. You may also choose this option on your own, as a skipper will offer his own knowledge of the region to help you; skippers are paid by day.
Vacationers less ready to sail on their own or more interested in relaxation may want to charter a crewed boat. Crewed charters include everything, from skipper to cook, and provide everything you need for your cruise. Captains are paid to know well the region and can help you choose the itinerary.
Many charter companies offer the option of paying an additional fee to provide you with food for your excursion. It is, of course, possible to buy the food yourself, but, while this can be a money-saving option, it has a few drawbacks as well. It is difficult to bring food into the Caribbean through customs. Further, it is possible to buy food in the islands, but it can be difficult, especially if you are not departing from a major island. Remember that fruits and vegetables must be purchased on the islands. And, of course, you will be responsible for everyone onboard, including the skipper and the crew.
In Caribbean Sea tourists will find plenty of different charter companies which offer also cruises to different islands of the region. There are a few last considerations for vacationers planning to charter a yacht. These include elements of cost, size, and style.
Cost
- Costs rise for larger ships, with more amenities.
- Consider renting a top canvas for the cockpit - will prevent sunburn.
- Bareboats are usually on the most rentals, but if you'd like a kayak or windsurf it's possible to add them for an additional fee.
Size
- Rent a ship with enough cabin space - to few and small rooms during a long voyage can alter the atmosphere...
- Three cabin/two bath monohulls, which run from 36 to 50 feet, are the most popular boats.
Style
- Families may want to charter a catamaran. This type of boat it's safer for young children and more comfortable for first time vacationers.
- Bare boats are the least expensive sailing option, while crewed yachts will cost the most. Some find that crewed charters are worth the extra expense because they include more extras and equipment, like scuba gear and kayaks. They also tend to have more living space than bare boats.
Traveling with just a skipper will cost an extra 80-120$ per day, added on to the cost of the bareboat. The crew on a crewed charter should be tipped at approximately 10 to 15 percent of the total cost of the charter.