Port Royal

Best time to dive

June to September; October to May

Certification & difficulty

Open Water

Snorkelling

Not a snorkel site - Limited - the shallowest submerged sections (~10 ft) could technically be snorkeled, but access is restricted to permitted dive/snorkel excursions due to the protected archaeological status; not marketed as a general snorkel site

Safety notes

Restricted archaeological zone - unauthorized diving/artifact removal is prohibited; turbid, silty harbor bottom in places; boat traffic in Kingston Harbour; overlap of best dive season with early hurricane season (Jun onward)

Permits & fees

Special permission from Jamaican authorities (coordinated with the Jamaica National Heritage Trust, which manages the Port Royal underwater archaeological site) is required to dive the sunken city; this is arranged through a licensed local dive operator rather than obtained independently by visitors

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Location

Nearest hub: Kingston