Jamaica
Country/State Data
Regions
1
Breaks
13
Coastline
1,022 KM
Cost of living
Capital
Kingston
Current Time
Security
Health
Positives
- Decent winter consistency
- Warm water, friendly waves
- Various left pointbreaks
- Low crowd factor
- Rastafari culture and music
Negatives
- Frequent onshore conditions
- Poor roads on eastern side
- Sometimes small & gutless
- Kingston insecurity
- Difficult access, some private coast
Where to surf in Jamaica
Jamaica is bigger than Puerto Rico, but has far fewer breaks, receiving far less swell. All the known spots on 'The Rasta Island' are clustered around the eastern tip on both the north and south coasts, picking up the corresponding winter NE and summer SE windswells. The north coast has waves all the way to Montego Bay, but the trade winds usually destroy the quality and without them, there's no waves anyway. A hurricane can bring SE and S groundswell to ignite bays and reefs that are usually flat year-round, especially along the southwest coast and the potential to ride junky wind-slop is always there, but generally speaking, stay east.
Surf spots in Jamaica
Research the 13 surf breaks in Jamaica and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 13 breaks in Jamaica.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Jamaica
- jan
- feb
- mar
- apr
- may
- jun
- jul
- aug
- sep
- oct
- nov
- dec
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 2,473,000
- Population
- 2,961,167
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- JMD
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +1 876
- Dialing out
- 011
- Language
- English, Jamaican Creole
Electricity
- Plug Type
- ab
Visas
Most nationalities can visit visa free for stays of up to 30, 90 or 180 days.
Getting There
Beware, most visitors land at Montego Bay (MBJ), but Kingston (KIN) is much better. JUTA: Jamaica Union for Travellers Association. Equipped with a fleet of well-maintained, air-conditioned cars, buses, coaches and luxury vehicles.
Getting Around
Buses are unreliable but driving solo can be a bit sketchy sometimes; avoid areas like the Jamrocks. Some roads require local knowledge for remote spots. Renting a small car costs $41/day.
Accommodation
Expect $50 for a room and $10 a meal. Jamnesia Camp in Bull Bay offers camping from $15 and simple rooms from $35/n or $45/dble. Guided tours with full board cost $200/day and $185 with Jahmekya ($150 for triple). Try Boston Style Chicken and Ital (rasta veggie cooking).
Activities
Kingston is close for bars & nightlife. Lots of natural sights like Reach Falls, the Bath Fountain hot mineral spring and the Blue Mountains (best coffee in the world?). The Rasta Brethren's mission at Zion Hill is to educate others to the true words of Haile Selassie. Bob Marley Museum.
Hazards & hassles
Kingston has some really rough neighbourhoods like Trenchtown. Police often harass Rastas for weed possession, don't smoke anywhere with anyone. Mind the sea urchins, fire coral, jellyfish, sea lice and sunburn. Crowd pressure is minimal; local surf operators will take clients to semi-secret gems.
Handy Hints
Jamnesia Surf Club, at Bull Bay was established by the Wilmots to help the development of surfing through surf events with a surf school, board repair & rental facilities and Patrick Mitchell making Quashi boards. No surfshop.
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.
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