1. Port Royal Sunken Pirate City
Nestling on the southeast coast of Jamaica, this natural harbor, at this stage held by the English, soon attracted a bad reputation. Not only were there pirates and sex workers, but people also made a living from the slave trade. However, Port Royal was at its worst in 1675 when the notorious pirate Henry Morgan became Lieutenant Governor.
The earthquake strikes
It was on June 7, 1692, that the massive earthquake struck and as the city was mostly built on sand, it was instantly destroyed. Buildings collapsed as the city was hit by tsunami waves and what had not yet been destroyed was quickly dragged into the water. Four of five forts in the city were submerged and an estimated 2,000 people died.
One survivor and eyewitness wrote about it in a letter from the safety of his ship in the harbor. Edmund Heath wrote that the earth opened and swallowed many people before his face. He added that the sea he saw “came mounting in over the wall, upon which I concluded it impossible to escape.”
These days, most of the ruins of this 17th-century city building lie beneath 40 feet of water. Since the 1950s, divers have explored and cataloged the submerged city. Divers need special access from the Jamaican government to explore the restricted Port Royal ruins, but many artifacts can be seen in the Museums of History and Ethnography at the Institute of Jamaica in Kingston.
However, wannabe divers can get an idea of an underwater pirate tavern from the video included above.
2. Floyd’s Pelican Bar, Jamaica
Looking at the bar, it looks like something thrown together from driftwood, scrap wood, bric-a-brac and palm fronds and is only accessible by boat.
It seems the owner, Floyd Forbes, had a dream to build a bar rising from the sea on wooden stilts as an oasis in the ocean.
In 2001, Floyd started lugging wood out into the bay on his fishing boat, gradually building his dream bar. At first, it was a place for him and his fishermen friends to have a drink at the end of the busy day.
However, once the local tourism industry caught on to the bar, it became a famous drinking spot. At one stage, the bar was threatened with closure due to possible environmental impact and fire hazards. However, Floyd’s Pelican Bar has continued, albeit with extra fire extinguishers. Nowadays, the bar is lined with all kinds of memorabilia including flags and license plates from all over the world.
The only way to get there is on a 20-minute boat ride, where you can enjoy a drink, have a swim, or play some dominos with the locals. However, be warned that this drinking establishment has no bathroom. This means there is only one place to “go” – in the warm waters surrounding Floyd’s Pelican Bar.
3. Blue Hole Mineral Spring, Negril
It is said that the mud surrounding the pool is good for the skin. Meanwhile, the water itself is valued for its mineral properties. However, be aware of the sign that tells visitors that they swim at their own risk.
Make sure you visit these and other weird and wonderful locations in Jamaica on your next Caribbean trip.
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