Seasonal· Port Royal / Kingston· Other Caribbean

Atlantic Hurricane Season (Jamaica & Cayman)

17° 56.2′ N · 76° 51.3′ W · approximate

Jamaica and the Caymans sit squarely in the hurricane belt: the season runs June 1 to November 30 and peaks around September 10. Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Jamaica as a Category 5 on October 28, 2025.

Belize Barrier Reef

Practical

Reference point is Kingston harbour entrance (Noonsite). NOAA NHC: Atlantic season June 1-November 30; peak about September 10, most activity mid-August to mid-October. Noonsite gives Cayman's hurricane season as July-November and the wet season as May-October. Melissa: landfall near New Hope, Westmoreland at 185 mph with 7-11 ft surge at Black River; Montego Bay's port, Freeport area and airport terminal flooded; Falmouth 'all but destroyed'; Cayman dive operations on the Sister Islands stopped October 24, 2025 (Wikipedia). Past storms: Gilbert (1988) and Ivan (2004) destroyed Rick's Café; Paloma (Cat 4, November 2008) hit Cayman Brac; Tropical Storm Nate (2017) rolled the Kittiwake. Shelter: Bogue Lagoon (Montego Bay) is Virgintino's storm refuge; Governor's Harbour in Grand Cayman is 'almost hurricane proof' (2018 report); CIYC publishes a hurricane policy. Most insurers require boats to be south of the belt or hauled in season - check your policy. Map pin is a representative point (shared with a nearby port/town entry), not a surveyed position.

Best for

Season planning and storm refuges

Season

Jun 1-Nov 30; peak Aug-Oct

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