Port Antonio
A green, rain-fed harbour town on Jamaica's north-east coast, where rivers meet the sea in coves and lagoons, and Errol Flynn once found what he called heaven on earth.
- Arrival
- Kingston Norman Manley · KIN
- To the town
- About 2 h 30 from Kingston by road
- Private jets
- Land at KIN; light aircraft on to Ken Jones
- Best time
- December to April
The city
Where Errol Flynn kept his boat.
The MICHELIN Guide calls this a remote stretch of coast that heavy tourism has passed by. Fleming, Noël Coward and Errol Flynn all fell for Port Antonio, and the marina in town still carries Flynn's name. Around it the coast breaks into small bays: a lagoon fed by springs from below, a cove where a cold river slides into the warm sea, and waterfalls with caves to explore.
The tourist board gives December to April as the dry season, but this coast takes far more rain than Montego Bay or Negril, and even in winter a shower is likely. From May to November it is wetter still, and November is often the wettest month.
- Blue Lagoon Deep blue water where the sea mixes with water rising from underground springs.
- Frenchman's Cove A small beach where a cool river runs out into the Caribbean, with a rope swing over the water.
- Reach Falls Emerald pools to swim in, and hidden caves to find around the cascades.
Arriving
Kingston first, then road or light aircraft.
Port Antonio has no airport of entry. The usual route is through Norman Manley International at Kingston, then about two and a half hours by road, or about fifteen minutes by light aircraft to the local strip; a helicopter is another option.
- Miami 1 h 35
- Palm Beach 1 h 40
- Aspen 5 h 10
- Los Angeles 6 h 10 long-range jet
- Madrid 9 h 40 long-range jet
When to go
December to April.
Temperatures barely shift, 29 °C in winter and 31 °C in high summer, with the sea at 27 to 29 °C. Rain is generous, though: March is the only month under 100 mm, and from October to December totals pass 270 mm.
- 29° J 185 27°
- 29° F 149 27°
- 29° M 75 27°
- 30° A 148 27°
- 30° M 276 28°
- 30° J 236 28°
- 31° J 185 29°
- 31° A 197 29°
- 30° S 220 29°
- 30° O 337 29°
- 29° N 352 28°
- 29° D 279 28°
Where to stay
A recording studio by the sea.
Shown for information. We have no arrangement with any of these hotels.
Where to dine
Where to book on the coast.
No MICHELIN Guide covers Jamaica. Bushbar is a Fodor’s Choice; Mike’s Supper Club is the main dining room of The Trident.
- Bushbar Fodor’s Choice Jamaican and international $$$$ Geejam, San San
- Mike’s Supper Club Signature restaurant, The Trident Hotel Jamaican and Japanese $$$$ The Trident Hotel, Port Antonio
Elsewhere in Jamaica
More reasons to come.
- Montego Bay The main airport, and old sugar estates turned into hotels.
- Ocho Rios Dunn's River Falls, and the coast where Ian Fleming wrote at Goldeneye.
- Negril A west-facing beach, and cliffs where everyone watches the sunset.
- Kingston The capital, Bob Marley's house, and the Blue Mountains behind.
Flying to Port Antonio?
Choose how you arrive.
A Business or First Class seat on a scheduled airline, or an aircraft of your own. Tell us the date and how many are travelling, and we reply with one final price, our margin included.