Advice on North Coast of Jamaica

[s/v Moondancer]

We are heading from Curacao to the Caymans in November and we are considering stopping off on the north coast of Jamaica.

Recent first hand information?

[skipmac]

Not recent by boat but recent by land and do have first hand cruising the north coast.

Security is definitely a concern. Mobay Yacht Club should be fine but it is a bit far from town. Probably OK to anchor in Ocho Rios and maybe Port Antonio but would avoid secluded anchorages.

You should be safe sticking to populated, tourist areas but do keep your street radar tuned in to your surroundings. Beautiful country, mostly beautiful people but a small minority of criminals make it a bit scary.

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Not recent by boat but recent by land and do have first hand cruising the north coast.

Security is definitely a concern. Mobay Yacht Club should be fine but it is a bit far from town. Probably OK to anchor in Ocho Rios and maybe Port Antonio but would avoid secluded anchorages.

You should be safe sticking to populated, tourist areas but do keep your street radar tuned in to your surroundings. Beautiful country, mostly beautiful people but a small minority of criminals make it a bit scary.

the only people you have got to worry about are the Police..they turn into robbers when they get off work and they work in teams..Port Antonio is ok and Ocho is too..Mo-bay is a hell hole.. the yachtclub is safe but as soon as you step outside beware..there are winds at night that come down from the Mts.(Katabatic.?)that allow you to sail to the east..not a lot of good places to anchor when the winds pick up..timing is everything so plan ahead..If you sailed the south coast you would be in good shape as it is not full of migrants and the people are wonderful hard working and trustworthy, you will not experiance any begging or fear for safty on the south coast and the sailing is wonderful...keep hatches locked and if approched make lots of noice as it will get attention and there is no place in Jamaica where there are not lots of people..they even live(sleep) in the trees..I am not kidding... and when someone raises their voice people notice even if you dont see anyone they are there..there everwhere..The last thing you want to do is call the police..but if you do call them make sure that a tourist police person is called first..you can get a number for them from the tourist board and I would recommened that you call them when you get there and tell them where you will be they are your best bet if you need the police..Good luck and the country is safe if you keep your eyes open all of the time and stay away from Kingston and Mo-bay..DVC

[GordMay]

See the (Free) ➥ http://www.jamaicacruisingguide.com/

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by GordMay

See the (Free) ➥ Jamaica Cruising Guide

It was blank..Is that the site created by the Admiral of the Mo-bay Yacht Club?

[GordMay]

It’s by Frank Virgintino, and the link works (slow loading) for me.
➥ Jamaica Cruising Guide

See also ➥ http://www.jamaicacruisingguide.com/...ds-of-jamaica/

[s/v Moondancer]

Thanks everyone, with your imput and what's on 'noonsite' if we do stop off we will go to a marina.

[Tom.B]

MoBay Yacht club is fine and you can anchor in Port Antonia or hit Errol Flynn Marina. I'd stay out of Ochi. The presence of cruise ships brings out the worst of the worst in local crime. We have had a good time in Mobay and Porty. But in general, I would steer clear of Jamaica until the economy improves. They are really having a tough time there and even high-end locations are having challenges. It might be a good place to stop for a night or two, but I wouldn't stick around. We've been going to Jamaica for 20 years and I have never seen it so bad there.

[Privleoplag]

Originally Posted by skipmac

.....
You should be safe sticking to populated, tourist areas but do keep your street radar tuned in to your surroundings.......

This is the exact opposite of advice I would give you. We always find that the villages and less populated, non-tourist areas are far and away the safest places, and this seems to hold true for every country we've traveled. We traveled by land all across Jamaica (ok, fine, not by water), and the worst places were the touristy areas.

[Surveyor]

If you decide on the South side, stop at Port Royal if for no other reason than to have dinner at Gloria's Rendezvous. It doesnt look like much and they seat you in the street sometimes because it gets crowded but the food is spectacular!

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by s/v Moondancer

Thanks everyone, with your imput and what's on 'noonsite' if we do stop off we will go to a marina.

That will be your best bet, as others have said it is really bad now ..when times are tuff in the US,EU, and other developed parts of the world it is ten times worse in less fortunate parts.. they will take care of you at the marinas and it is safe to rent a car and go inland if you take a local with ya..just give him a few dollars and buy him some food and you will be ok..from Port Antonio east all the way round to Sanish Town is no go thanks to the likes of Dudas Coke(he has been caught) and his Robin Hood mentality..Same for Westmoreland(Negril) and Mo-Bay.. I pray for better times for Jamaica as it is a wonderful place with great people,A few to many gangsta cowboys and poverty giving um a ruff way to go...DVC