Port Antonio Jamaica History and Information
Port Antonio became a thriving banana-shipping port in the late 1870's
and its first tourists came from North America in the 1890s when they
arrived on banana boats.
Titchfield Peninsula is home to the ruins of historic
Fort George, which once protected the harbour.
The town's magnificent twin harbours are separated by 64-acre navy
Island. Named for its long-ago use by the British Navy, the island
welcomes day and overnight guests arriving by ferry from West
Street every half hour.
One of the best kept secrets in the Caribbean has always been Port
Antonio, a tropical Eden and the jewel
in Jamaica's crown.
Portland offers visitors unparalleled natural beauty, rugged exciting
coastlines, romantic beaches, hidden coves, rivers, and waterfalls
with the Blue Mountain range providing a spectacular
backdrop. Port Antonio, as the capital of Portland,
has retained its charm as a quiet rural township and is home to
one of the most beautiful harbours in the Caribbean.
A walk through town is a walk in history, with its narrow streets
lined with buildings from another era including the neo-Romanesque
Anglican stone church (1840) and the charming gingerbread
DeMontevin Lodge (1881), now a popular guest house on Titchfield
Peninsula. Fort George (1729) over looks the harbours,
with it's cannons pointing out to sea. Just outside of town lie
the ruins of Mitchell's Folly built in 1905 of
cement and sea water. Navy Island, just off the
twin harbours is a picturesque spot, once owned by Errol
Flynn. It's worth taking the ferry and enjoying the view
of the town with the hills rising above it.
In the late 19th century, Port Antonio was renowned as the
world's banana capital, some claim that Jamaica's tourism
was born here when banana boats returning from Boston, U.S.A. brought
the first tourists to the shores. Precisely because of its seclusion,
Port Antonio has attracted many celebrities and
the wealthy. Portland offers an enchanting holiday experience. Glistening
waterfalls, many of which are small secret gems, such as
Scatter Water Falls and Nanny Waterfalls;
romantic coves with beautiful beaches; the magical Rio Grande River
weaving its way through the deep valley and rolling hillsides covered
with lush tropical forests; picturesque banana plantations; spectacular
mountain views in the Land-of look-Behind, Maroon Country,
are some of the features which draw those seeking the authentic
and still natural Jamaica.