Discover Jamaica’s pirate past in this fishing village where buccaneers and cutthroats once reined. Later, an earthquake devastated the town and much of it sank.
The unassuming fishing village of Port Royal is where Jamaica’s buccaneer past once thrived. Walk along the streets and imagine the town filled with sailors, merchants and pirates. See historical architecture at Fort Charles and try some of the best fish and chips in Jamaica. Spend time at the peaceful Lime Cay for snorkelling and relaxation under the Caribbean sun.
Port Royal has a history of being one of the wickedest cities in the world. In the 16th and 17th centuries, pirates, prostitutes and drunkards roamed the port. The town was founded in 1518 and quickly became the New World’s busiest city. The Spanish and then the English used it as a navel base and the port was a stop for traders and merchants travelling through the region. While many of the original buildings from this time were destroyed in an earthquake in 1692, elements of the past still linger. Some of the city’s most decadent buildings sank into the sea during the earthquake and are today considered some of the world’s most renowned underwater archaeological dive sites. Bring your own equipment to go scuba diving.
Get around the compact town on foot. On Church Street you will find St. Peter’s Church, built in 1725. Take a look in the courtyard to see relics. At Fort Charles, discover the history of the English invasion and how they came to control Port Royal for almost 200 years. Browse the two small museums, which have artefacts from the 1692 earthquake.
Admire colonial architecture at the Old Gaol and Old Naval Hospital. Take note of the ironworks in the hospital, which were made in Bradford, England. The building is one of the oldest prefabricated structures in the world.
After a day of sightseeing hire a boat to visit Lime Cay. Lime Cay is a small, unpopulated island where locals and visitors go snorkelling, swimming and sunbaking. When the sun starts to set, head back to Port Royal for dinner at one of Jamaica’s best seafood restaurants. Enjoy an evening of entertainment at a bar or nightclub.
Port Royal is 27 kilometres (17 miles) southeast of Kingston. Drive or take a bus from the city.
