Highlights of Jamaica’s Inaugural Dragon Boat Festival

From May 31 to June 1, 2025, the Grand Excelsior Port Royal Hotel (formerly Morgan’s Harbour) played host to an exhilarating and historic event: Jamaica’s inaugural Dragon Boat Festival. Under a sky veiled by Saharan dust with heat shimmering off the Kingston Harbour, the world’s seventh largest natural harbour, locals and foreigners alike gathered in Port Royal to witness and celebrate the country’s entry into a centuries-old global tradition. It’s always exciting when new events are added to Jamaica’s cultural calendar, so I made the trip to Port Royal to catch a few hours on day 2 of the festival. Here are the history and highlights of this inaugural staging.

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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.”

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