That , when sailing from Florida to Jamaica, a stop at the Bahamas is recommended to refuel and get new supplies?
That, when arriving by boat in Jamaica, you must enter a harbor when you can clear Customs and Immigration?
That, after you did that, you still have to clear customs in every port of the country you enter?
That you don't have to forget your suntan oil when sailing into the sunny Caribbean?
That traveling by freighter is absolutely not luxury, but absolutely is a wonderful experience?
Like in the old days...
Getting to Jamaica by boat is a first class adventure. This is what the Awaraks felt when they crossed the Caribbean! By yacht or by freighter, this is an experience you'll never forget. You need more time of course. Don't expect to sail from Miami to Jamaica in a few hours. But charming it is, believe us.
If you are planning to sail to the Caribbean in the mid to late summer, keep an eye on the weather reports.
The Caribbean hurricane season is from July to October, August and September are peak months.
If there is an active hurricane in you neighborhood, try to sail round the devil or try to reach a harbor to wait till it is over. Remember: sailing in a hurricane is not fun and is extremely dangerous.
The ports of Jamaica are excellent for cruising the island. But when you enter a port for the first time (and if you are on a foreign registered boat) you have to choose a port where you can clear customs and immigration.
Currently these ports are: Port Royal (Kingston), Montego Bay, Port Antonio and Ocho Rios. Check the local yacht club to make the arrangements.
By freighter
Not easy to find, but worth a try: sea traveling by freighter. We found a few, but there must be more (if you know, let us know...)
Heinrich Schepers GmbH & Co. KG offers the Zim Buenos Aires (formerly Marlene S) from New York, Norfolk, Savannah, and Port Everglades along the east coast of South America, with a stop in Kingston.
See http://www.travltips.com for more information.
Columbus Lines also has a stop in Kingston on Pacific cruises. Departure is from Savannah, GA.
Visit http://www.hamburgsud.com for more information on Columbus Lines.
From Europe, The Cap Blanco sails from Hamburg, Germany, to several destinations in South America, calling at Kingston.
Contact the Freighter Voyages Germany (Ost-West-Straße 59 – 61 D-20457 Hamburg Germany, phone +49 (0)40 37 05, http://www.freighter-voyages.com
More?
We are absolutely sure there must be more options in the world to travel to Jamaica by freighter. If you have any experience or info on this subject, please let us know!
By yacht:
Sailing into the Caribbean from the United States is a wonderful experience. But, not everyone has his own yacht...
Lucky you, you can go by a charter yacht. Sometimes with crew and skipper included, sometimes you have to take care of your own crew. In the last case you must be an experienced sailor, no doubt about that.
We found two interesting companies so far, which can help you planning a sailing trip to Jamaica and/or the rest of the Caribbean. Both are in Florida, U.S.
Located at Miami Beach Florida Yacht Charters & Sales is a leading company in offering yacht charters, with or without captain and crew. With many years of experience and a very modern equipment this might be what you're looking for.
See http://www.floridayacht.com for more info.
Another leading yachting company with an impressive record of service is The Moorings from Clearwater, FL. Bareboat charters, crewed charters, yacht ownership..., it is up to you. And, if you want to lean how to sail, their sailing school is an excellent option.
Visit http://www.moorings.com for more information.
Europe
From Europe it is not easy to travel by yacht to Jamaica. Al lot of experience is needed when you want to cross the Atlantic.
For more info, contact Cosmos Yachting in London, United Kingdom (http://www.cosmosyachting.com).
More?
There must be more on yachting to Jamaica. If you have any experience or info on this subject, please let us know!
by water 
By freighter
