8 Things to Do in Port Royal for 2025 & Beyond

Port Royal is a historic town located on Jamaica’s southeastern coast in the capital city of Kingston, the island’s second UNESCO World Heritage Site. Port Royal is famous for its rich maritime history, vibrant culture, and significant role in Caribbean piracy during the 17th century. Originally settled by the Spanish in the late 15th century, the British captured Port Royal in 1655 and quickly developed the town into a major centre of commerce and trade due to its strategic location, natural harbour and proximity to shipping routes. During the late 17th century, Port Royal gained notoriety as a hub for piracy, privateering and lawlessness, earning it the nickname “Wickedest City of the West.”

When the city was hit by a devastating earthquake and tsunami in 1692 which led to two-thirds of the city sinking underwater and the death of thousands, people called it was karma. Since then, Port Royal gradually lost its importance and today you can explore what’s left of the city. Port Royal is now a sleepy fishing village with tons of potential. Here are my top 8 recommendations for what to do in Port Royal. If you’re staying in another end of the island besides Kingston, consider booking a tour through Get Your Guide (includes transport).

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What’s Inside

1. Visit Fort Charles
2. Visit Giddy House
3. Admire Beautiful Old Buildings
4. Check Out Fort Rocky
5. Check out the Plumb Point Lighthouse
6. Take A Boat To The Cays
7. Explore The Underwater City
8. Enjoy THE BEST Seafood!

1. Visit Fort Charles

Fort Charles is a historic military fort built in the late 17th century during the English colonial period in Jamaica. It was named after King Charles II of England and was constructed to protect the bustling port and safeguard English interests in the Caribbean. The fort was designed in the shape of a rough square with angular bastions at each corner which allowed for a wide field of fire and optimal defense against potential attackers. Port Royal was a notorious haven for pirates during the late 17th century, and Fort Charles played a crucial role in keeping order in the region. Fort Charles was partially damaged by the earthquake of 1692 but subsequently rebuilt. Today, one can step back in time and see what’s left of the fort and its cannons for a small cost. They’ve also added a small but informative museum, and you can choose either the guided or unguided tour.

2. Visit Giddy House

A place of interest worth checking out during your Fort Charles tour is the Giddy House. The building originally served as a military artillery house designed to store cannons and ammunition for the defense of the town and naval base. However, what makes the Giddy House interesting and gave it its name is its current state. Following a powerful earthquake in 1907, the building partially sank into the sandy ground, causing it to tilt at a precarious angle. Today, when you enter the Giddy House, you’ll experience a disorienting sensation as the floors and walls lean at odd angles. It’s almost like being inside a funhouse, and walking across its floors quickly will give one a “giddy” feeling, almost like being drunk. The Giddy House serves as a reminder of the Caribbean’s geological instability, as Jamaica is located near the boundary of the Caribbean and North American tectonic plates, making it prone to earthquakes.

3. Admire Beautiful Old Buildings

As you can imagine with any town built centuries ago, lots of beautiful old buildings remain today and there are several around the town worth admiring on a short stroll or drive. Some are well preserved, or even modernized and still in use while others lie forlorn and dilapidated. These include:

• The Old Naval Hospital
• St. Peter’s Anglican Church
• McFarlane’s Bar
• Old Gaol House

4. Check Out Fort Rocky

I used to do beach clean ups here in my teenage years with the Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) until life became a bit too busy for my liking. As such, I have fond memories of this abandoned fort. Built around 1888, Fort Rocky had several guns designed to deny access to the Kingston Harbour by submarines or armed merchant cruisers. These guns remained in place until the end of the Second World War when most were returned to England. Fort Rocky also played an important role during the World Wars to protect Jamaica, then a British colony, from invasion by Axis powers, as Jamaica’s location could prove strategic. There’s not a lot to see at Fort Rocky but it’s worth checking out if you have some time on your hands.

5. Check out the Plumb Point Lighthouse

The Plumb Point Lighthouse was erected in 1853, eleven years after the construction of the Morant Point Lighthouse which is Jamaica’s oldest lighthouse. It stands on the Palisadoes Peninsula at Great Plumb Point near the entrance of the Kingston Harbour and in the vicinity of Port Royal. This stone and cast iron lighthouse stands at 70 feet and flashes a light every eight seconds. The light is visible as far out as twenty-five (25) miles at night, but is still worth admiring in the day time for its unique shape and history. You can drive right up to it or walk to it from the beach by the Palisadoes strip which is popular in the evenings for exercise and recreation.

6. Take A Boat To The Cays

Did you know that technically Jamaica is an archipelago because it has about 40 islands in its waters? Perhaps we should be called the United Nations of Jamaica but I jest, as none of our tiny islands and cays have permanent dwellings. Anyway, in the waters surrounding Port Royal lie the Port Royal Cays which are arranged in the shape of an atoll. Consisting of eight cays, Lime Cay and Maiden Cay are its most popular and these are often visited by boats and yachts on the weekends. Lime Cay is thickly wooded but gives way to a nice white sandy beach on its perimeter, whereas Maiden Cay is more like a gigantic sandbar jutting out of the Caribbean Sea.

Catch a boat to Lime Cay by the Y-Knot Bar & Grill or reserve a cruise with Loose Cannon Tours, a popular luxury yacht company which takes weekly trips to Maiden Cay. It’s best to visit these uninhabited cays with reputable companies and in groups to ensure your safety. Both remain on my list to visit! Also on my list is to scuba dive by Lime Cay with Yardie Divers, as they made my list of fun things to do in Kingston and I’m checking them off one by one.

7. Explore The Underwater Sunken City.

Due to the sinking caused by the earthquake in 1692, a significant portion of Port Royal’s historical remains are underwater. This underwater site, also known as Sunken Pirate City, has been the subject of extensive archaeological exploration, yielding valuable insights into the quotidian lives and activities of the people who once lived there. In fact, the underwater city of Port Royal is now a protected site. Divers can explore the submerged streets, buildings, and artifacts which include cannons, pottery, and other items that tell the story of Port Royal’s golden age and its dramatic downfall. Port Royal’s Underwater City was recently inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site after the Blue & John Crow Mountain National Park.

8. Enjoy THE BEST Seafood!

Last but not least, let’s talk about how Port Royal has the most delicious seafood in Jamaica! The only issue I’d report with getting seafood in Port Royal (I always try to be transparent!) is the customer service and wait times. Jamaicans are friendly people but we aren’t often the best at customer service when it comes to serving fellow locals, something to do with staff expecting better tips from tourists than locals but that’s a talk for another day. For years I wrote off dining in Port Royal after several bad experiences at one particular restaurant but I’m pleased to report that I visited the Y-Knot Bar & Grill one Sunday last summer and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The waterfront open-air ambiance was wonderful. Our server was pleasant and she even came with an ice bucket and scoop for our drinks because it was a ridiculously hot day. The food tasted great and came out within 30-35 minutes which is very reasonable considering that the food is made to order.

Wrap Up

Port Royal’s unique history as a pirate haven and its subsequent transformation due to natural disasters make it an intriguing destination for history enthusiasts and tourists interested in exploring Jamaica’s past. If you watched Pirates of the Caribbean, you would’ve heard about Port Royal but did you know that it’s actually a real place? Where have you visited or would you like to visit in Port Royal? Let me know in the comments.

If you enjoyed this post, you would also like:

• Langley Great House in Stony Hill
• Colbeck Castle in Old Harbour
• Folly Ruins in Portland
• My list of free things to do in Kingston

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