Ever wondered what would happen if you crossed Las Vegas with Atlantis? Meet Port Royal – a city so notorious it was once dubbed ‘the wickedest city on Earth.’
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This Jamaican port town was a pirates’ paradise of excess and debauchery before a powerful earthquake sent half of it to a watery grave.
Before you pack your eyepatch and plastic parrot, let’s dive into the most fascinating underwater city this side of the Caribbean. And while we are at it, make sure to get your Jamaica c5 form ready because you will be dying to see this sunken treasure for yourself.
A pirate’s life (was actually pretty good here)
It’s 1660, and Port Royal is hitting its stride as the Caribbean’s premier destination for pirates, privateers, and anyone looking to make a quick fortune.
According to naval records from the time, the harbour could hold up to 500 ships. That’s more vessels than most modern cruise ports handle today.
Speaking of ports, the newly constructed cruise ship terminal now welcomes vessels, making Port Royal once again a bustling maritime destination.
The city’s most famous resident, Sir Henry Morgan (or as you may know him, Captain Morgan), went from notorious privateer to Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica. Under his watch, Port Royal became the second-largest European city in the New World, after Boston.
Imagine a place where one in every four buildings was either a pub or a brothel!
Just when Port Royal thought it was invincible, Mother Nature decided to crash the party. On 7th June 1692, an earthquake sent about 33 acres of the city straight to the bottom of the Caribbean Sea.
In a matter of minutes, Port Royal went from sin to subaquatic city, with contemporary accounts describing buildings sliding into the sea “with their inhabitants still inside them.”
A treasure trove under the waves
Today, Port Royal is a marine archaeologist’s dream come true. The earthquake preserved the city like a 17th-century Caribbean Pompeii, except underwater.
Scientists have found everything from pocket watches frozen at 11:43 to half-eaten meals on dining tables.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to don a wetsuit to experience all of Port Royal’s fascinating history. Fort Charles, the only major surviving structure from the pre-earthquake era, still stands proud.
Its museum houses artefacts that would make any history buff weak at the knees. The fort has been completely revitalised with new features including an officers’ quarters, a magazine where ammunition was stored, and a merchandise shop.
You’ll also find the Victoria Battery and external displays featuring authentic cannons and period replicas.
While entry fees to Fort Charles are modest, you could also opt for the guided tour. Local guides bring the fortress’s history to life with tales that aren’t in any guidebook.
The Nelson’s Quarterdeck – named after Admiral Horatio Nelson who served here – offers views that haven’t changed much since pirates used them as lookout points. While exploring, you’ll be transported back to 1807 by costumed storytellers who bring the fort’s history to life, including fascinating tales of the West Indian Regiment – the Black Jamaican and African soldiers who manned the fort during this period.
Port Royal is currently gunning for UNESCO World Heritage status, and honestly, it’s about time. The site meets multiple criteria, including being an ‘outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble’ – and how many other underwater 17th-century cities do you know?
Practical tips for modern-day explorers
Getting to Port Royal is surprisingly straightforward for a former pirate haven. It’s just a 30-minute drive from Kingston, with water taxis running regularly from the downtown area if you fancy arriving by sea (as any respectable buccaneer would).
While the roads are certainly better than in pirate times, that’s not saying much – but they’ll get you there just fine.
Once you’ve made landfall, Fort Charles and its museum should be your first port of call, followed by a wobble through the famously tilted Giddy House. This wonky former weapon store was a victim of the 1907 earthquake and gives visitors a taste of what it feels like after you’ve had too much rum.
There’s now a new Giddy House exhibit building adjacent to the original, helping preserve the historic structure while giving visitors the same dizzy experience. St Peter’s Church offers a more sober time, while various archaeological sites and the Maritime Museum provide fascinating glimpses into the city’s colourful past.
Entry fees are US$20 for non-resident adults and US$12 for children, while Jamaican residents pay J$800 for adults and J$500 for children.
Want the full experience? Opt for a guided tour: US$40 for non-resident adults, US$24 for children, or J$1,800 and J$1,000 respectively for residents.
Planning to bring a group? Book ahead through the Port Authority of Jamaica – they’ll ensure you have the right number of guides for the best experience.
For the best exploration conditions, plan your raid – er, visit – between December and April, when the weather is more predictable. Thanks to the Port Authority of Jamaica’s development plans, you can now visit attractions like the Pirate Wharf and various museums whether there’s a cruise ship in port or not.
Port Royal isn’t just another historical site – it’s a place where fact is stranger than fiction, where natural disaster preserved a moment in time, and where modern visitors can walk the same streets (well, those that aren’t underwater) as some of history’s most infamous characters. So while it may not be the ‘wickedest city on Earth’ anymore, Port Royal remains one of the most fascinating places you can visit in the Caribbean.
