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Although Jamaica may not be one of the islands most popularly frequented by yachting groups, it's hard to find a Caribbean island that doesn't have something for sailing aficionados to enjoy.
In fact, Jamaican deep-sea fishing is extremely popular among travelers, and the island's annual fishing tournaments are renowned. Travelers visiting Jamaica, however, will need to plan ahead if they intend to set sail during their island adventure in order to make the most of their fishing or chartering experiences.
Fishing
The waters that surround the Caribbean islands are home to several types of fishing because of the vast differences in the underwater landscapes of the region. Some fish favor the shallow island edges; others are the bright fish of the coral reefs that have grown over centuries along the edges of some volcanic islands. Jamaica is home to the large sport fish of the deeper waters that sportsmen travel from around the world to capture.
Jamaica's Northern waters are well-known for deep-sea and sport fishing. Anglers will hook a large number of fish, including mahi mahi, wahoo, blue and white marlin, sailfish, tarpon, barracuda, and bonito. Jamaica also hosts two international fishing tournaments, the Jamaica International Fishing Tournament and Jamaica International Blue Marlin Team Tournament. Both tournaments take place in the early fall, September and October, so travelers interested in fishing may want to take this into consideration.
Due to the popularity of fishing on the Northern side of Jamaica, most major hotels are home to deep-sea fishing facilities and have plenty of boat charter options. Sport fishing boats are not for the budget-minded traveler, running between $350(USD) and $700(USD) for a half-day excursion with four to six passengers. A full day can run as much as $1,200(USD), but both full- and half-day excursions include captain, crew, bait, tackle and often soft drinks.
Bonefish are the region's shallow water fish and are said to be the best fighters of all fish, pound-for-pound. Their species includes Jamaica's popular tarpon, wahoo and barracuda. Bonefish can be caught from the beach or from a small boat in many of the area's shallow waters. Fishing from the shore can be less costly for budget-conscious travelers because there is no need for boat rental.
Jamaica's deep sea and game fishermen will have the most to enjoy with Jamaica's plentiful populations of marlin, wahoo, mahi mahi, and sailfish. There are many varieties of these deep-water fish just off the shores where the sea floor drops down, so visitors may fish as close to a quarter of a mile from the islands.
Although reef fishing is not widespread in Jamaica, live bait such as conch or squid is the best bet for reef fishermen looking to catch some very interesting fish. The most common fish in these areas are grouper, mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, and jack crevalle.
So, when you're visiting Jamaica, let the urge for adventure take you out to the water's edge to find out if you can hook one of the feisty bonefish, or let it draw you out onto the deep ocean where mighty game fish fight to the end.
Charters
Fishing might not be on the top of your list, but you may still want to spend time at sea. If this is the case for you, relax, boats can be chartered from Jamaica by vacationers searching for an escape from dry land. You will be able to set your own path and go where you please, which is a must for some island adventurers. However, before you embark on a seafaring adventure, get to know these pointers about boat chartering services. There are several ways in which you may charter a boat, so that the experience fits you best.
If visiting the sea is only a small part of your island plans, it's possible to take short trips with smaller charters or there may be sailing vessels available through many resorts. These may be taken out for short picnic or sightseeing trips. For travelers more interested in staying dry, this may be the best choice for their vacation, offering a brief taste of the beautiful ocean surrounding Jamaica without making a long-term commitment to the sea.
Before chartering a larger boat or yacht for your trip to Jamaica, there are a few details you should plan for. Prices of most chartered boats are comparable to the price of an all-inclusive hotel stay or cruise ship for the length of the journey. The duration of these voyages can vary, but generally run from 10 days to two weeks. Also, if getting a crewed yacht, the crew will need to be tipped approximately 10 percent of the total charter price. Food is rarely provided in the cost and can be added through the company in most cases, though ships will generally come with fishing and diving supplies and a fully stocked bar.
The three main types of charters are bareboat charters, captained charters and crewed charters. When renting a bareboat, you are responsible for either being or finding a captain and crew. A captained boat comes with simply a captain, and you are responsible for crewing the boat. Meanwhile, there are also fully crewed boats that come with a chef, captain and crew to provide you with everything you need to sit back, relax, and enjoy your time at sea.
Experienced sailors are the only ones who should consider entering Jamaica in a bareboat charter, as this type of boat requires a familiarity with the type of vessel as well as the area. You should also travel with others who can help you and who have seafaring experience of their own. This can be extremely dangerous unless you know how to sail, and before renting a bareboat, most charter companies will ask for credentials.
Chartering with only a captain may be best for sailors who are unfamiliar with the area or uncomfortable sailing in the waters surrounding Jamaica without a strong knowledge of the location. This is another route that should only be taken by those with some sailing experience. However, it is not necessary to have as extensive a knowledge of sailing when chartering a captained yacht. This can be a drawback financially, as a captained charter can sometimes cost as much as a fully crewed boat.
Crewed charters are the yachts for the rest of us. They allow passengers to sit back and relax, though they may also set the itinerary themselves or with the help of the knowledgeable captain and crew. No experience is necessary, but in this case finding the right crew is important. The crew is generally a small group of people who sail charters part of the year, and sail for themselves the remainder. They will know the best sites in the area for whatever you want to do. However, they will also be your living companions for the length of your charter in Jamaica, so it is imperative to find a crew that you feel comfortable with.
First-time charterers, especially, may wonder how they could possibly find the right vessel or crew for them. It's been made surprisingly simple when you work through a charter broker. Charter brokers are paid by the boat's owner or company to help attach the right boat or crew to the right vacationer to ensure that everyone has the best time possible. They are, essentially, paid to know the best of the best in the region and set you up with what they think your first choice would be, at no cost to you. Many of the larger yacht chartering companies do not directly offer the services of a broker but have experienced personnel to work with you. If you don't intend to book with a large company, a broker can be the best way to go.
There are many wonderful sights that can only be seen from aboard a boat in the Caribbean. Chartering a boat can grant you unparalleled acces to the fishing, diving, and sailing experiences afforded by the gorgeous waters off the coasts of Jamaica.
