Strike out sailing or yachting across the Caribbean to visit Jamaica

Although it is far from the most popular way to reach Jamaica, intrepid sailors think nothing of climbing aboard a boat and sailing to and around the island. Chartered and personal boats can certainly be sailed into any number of harbors around Jamaica. While many sailors have their own boats, sailing to Jamaica is still possible even for those who don't.

• On Jamaica's northeastern coast you'll find the strongest currents and largest waves. This is because it is the side closest to the Atlantic Ocean. Travelers should watch for similar patterns throughout the Caribbean.

• Peak tourist season is also the best time for sailing: January through March. You'll find higher prices throughout the Caribbean when sailing to Jamaica during these months.

• Remember that, July through November, travelers will face summer rains and even hurricane season. This will cause choppy waters and possibly unpleasant conditions.

Getting Into Jamaica

Private sailing boats to Jamaica must enter the country through an official port of entry. Immigration and customs services are available at the following ports:

• Kingston's Port Royal

• Montego Bay

• Port Antonio

• Ocho Rios

• Port Kaiser

• Port Esquivel

• Discovery Bay

• Bowden

Fly your"Q" flag when sailing into port. If you want to spend time cruising around Jamaica, the customs officers can issue you a"Coastwide Clearance" form. This form allows you to sail at will along the coast and must be presented when visiting other ports.

You will need to clear customs when you arrive at your first port and also when you depart from Jamaica's territorial waters. Customs officers will indicate to the captain when they have inspected the ship and cleared it through customs. You will need to fill out several forms at customs, including the following:

• Crew list and declaration

• Departure permission forms from your last port of call

• The ship's registrations

• A list of the ship's stores

There may also be a standard form to be completed in triplicate. This form replaces the crew list and requires details of the ship's flag, registration, last port of call and information about each person onboard including full name, date of birth, passport number, nationality, and position on the ship.

The Quarantine Officer will tell you when the"Q" flag may be lowered. He will also require a few items as well. Carry a crew list and a maritime declaration of health provided by a quarantine official, to be signed by the captain and including any bill of health or DE-RAT certificate from the last port of call. Unless travelers have visited countries in which the World Health Organization has reported a communicable disease within the past six weeks, vaccinations are not required.

Immigration officials will need to see a crew list and passports or proof of citizenship. Citizens of the U.S. and Canada will need official forms of identification or citizenship, usually a valid passport. Visitors from other countries may need 30-day visas before they arrive. Travelers will also need to pass through Immigration for stays longer than six months.

Chartering a Vessel

While some travelers have their own craft to sail to Jamaica, many other travelers choose to charter a yacht from within or near the Caribbean. Such charters are usually done for a week to 10 days. Should you rent a yacht, you'll need to choose between three charter options, bareboat, skippered bareboat, and crewed charter.

Experienced sailors may wish to charter bareboat, where boat and equipment are included, but you and your companions are skipper and crew. Bareboat charters will require proof of your qualifications, and some include a tutorial of the Caribbean, including important items like the locations of reefs and safe harbors.

The charter company may reserve the right to insist that, based on your knowledge and experience, you take a skipper for at least the first several days of your journey. Should this be the case, the company will not pay the cost of the skipper, that cost will fall to you. However, remember that this decision is to ensure that your travel is safe. You may also choose this option on your own, as a skipper will offer his own knowledge of the region to help you. Skippers are paid by the day.

Travelers less ready to sail on their own, or more interested in relaxation, may want to charter a crewed boat. Crewed charters include everyone from skipper to cook, often a husband and wife team, and provide everything you need for your journey. However, one important fact remains: The captain calls the shots. While you will pick out the itinerary, if there are weather or other dangers, the captain may alter the course for your safety. Captains, however, are paid to know the region well, and can help you choose an alternative. They can also help you plan the perfect itinerary when the weather provides the sunny days for which Jamaica is known.

Travelers will also have one last option. Many charter companies offer the option of paying an additional fee for the company to provide you with food for your journey. It is, of course, possible to buy the food yourself, but, while this can be a money-saving option, it has a few drawbacks as well. It is difficult to bring food into the Caribbean through customs. Further, it is possible to buy food in the islands, but it can be difficult, especially if you are not departing from a major island. However, remember that fruits and vegetables must be purchased on the islands. And, of course, you'll be responsible for everyone onboard, including skipper and crew.

Charter Companies

Throughout the Caribbean you'll find plenty of different charter companies. These companies, like any other, come in many sizes. First-time charterers are generally guided toward the larger companies. A smaller company may have a great reputation, but are smaller. Should a boat you requested be unavailable, smaller companies might not have the ability to replace it with an equivalent ship, where larger companies will usually offer a similar or even larger boat at no extra cost. However, some of the smallest companies have purposefully stayed small to maintain their customer service standards.

Another way to divide charter companies is into"tiers." These tiers say nothing about the quality or service of the company, but instead the newness of the yachts being chartered. First tier companies have the best boats, and largest number of extras. Boats older than four or five years are usually sold to second tier companies if they are in good condition. First tier companies will cost more for a charter, but boats may include goodies such as the auto pilot function, GPS systems, stereos and cell phones.

Currently, the most popular companies in the Caribbean are The Moorings and Sunsail.

Charter Brokers

Selecting a crewed charter can be more difficult than some would think, but one possible oversight is crew compatibility. Traveling for weeks with a crew means you'll get to know them very well, and this can be difficult if crew and passengers dislike each other. To help solve this problem, charter brokers step in.

These brokers act like a travel agent, offering the quotes from several companies. Further, this service is free for travelers, as the boat owner pays for the brokers' services. Brokers can also help vacationers find a bareboat charter.

The two main charter broker trade organizations are the American Yacht Charter Association (AYCA) and Charter Yacht Broker's Association (CYBA). In Florida AYCA and CYBA members include the following companies:

Choosing a Yacht

There are a few last considerations for travelers planning on chartering a yacht. These include elements of cost, size, and style.

Cost

• Costs rise for larger ships and more amenities.

• Asking about the availability of a power windlass may make your journey much easier.

• Consider renting a canvas top for the cockpit - they help prevent sunburn.

• Bareboats are usually the most barebones rentals, but if you'd like a kayak, windsurf, or electronic extras like GPS, it's possible to add them to some for an additional fee.

Size

• Most travelers will want more cabin space than they think they'll need - too-few and small rooms during a long voyage can leave travelers feeling cramped.

• Three cabin/two bath monohulls, which run from 36 to 50 feet, are the most popular bareboat size.

Style

• More adventurous and experienced sailors may enjoy monohull boats, but be aware that their thin, plywood walls are far from soundproof.

• Families may want to charter a catamaran. These experience less roll in port, making them safer for young children and more comfortable for first time travelers and those prone to seasickness. They also include more comfortable cabins.

Costs and Paperwork

There are a few costs travelers will need to consider when chartering a yacht to Jamaica. Bareboats are the least expensive sailing option, while crewed yachts will cost the most.. Some find that crewed charters are worth the extra expense because they include more extras and equipment, like scuba gear and kayaks. They also tend to have more living space than bareboats, and a chef to prepare meals is certainly a pleasant way to spend a vacation.

Traveling with just a skipper will cost an extra $80(USD) to $120(USD) per day, added on to the cost of the bareboat. Each individual skipper will have his own rates. The crew on a crewed charter should be tipped at approximately 10 to 15 percent of the total cost of the charter. This is an important addition to your vacation budget because tips make up approximately 30 to 50 percent of the crew's income.

High season costs will be higher for yacht chartering than low season costs, but bareboat charters may cost less than a stay at a mid-level resort if you're planning to vacation in a small group. However, airfare is another item you'll need to consider if you're picking up your charter far from home. And, of course, don't forget customs duties and possible luggage fees.

Before you sign, consider one last item. You'll want to read the fine print: Deposit and insurance fees may have been added to the charter cost. Consider putting charges on a credit card in case of any problems. And, before you book, it's best to take into account the company's cancellation policy. Most charters have a 60-day limit within which they cannot be refunded.

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