National park · Jamaica
Great Goat Island
Visit Great Goat Island for a short boat trip (≈10 min) and a self‑guided walk (≈2 h); entry fee unknown – check with local operators, and go in the dry season (Dec–Apr) to avoid rain.
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- Field checked
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- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
approximate
Established
2026
Best months
Dec–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…
- Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
- Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
- Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
- Jamaica ↗Check entry rules for your passport on Jamaica's Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) site before you fly.
- Jamaica ↗Cannabis rules are limited and specific: possession above small amounts is illegal, and taking any cannabis out of Jamaica is a serious offence.
- Jamaica ↗Use licensed taxis (red PPV number plates) or pre-booked transfers, not unmarked cars.
- Jamaica ↗After Hurricane Melissa, confirm directly with hotels, tour operators and attractions in Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, Hanover, St James and Trelawny that they are open before you pay; some reopen only in late 2026.
- Middlesex County ↗Route taxis are the cheap local way to move between towns; agree the fare before you get in.
- Middlesex County ↗Drive on the left. The A1 and A3 cross the county; mountain roads are slow and often unlit after dark.
At a glance
- Country
- Jamaica
- Area
- 5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²)
- Approximate size of the main island; exact figure not published.
- Established
- 2026
- Best months
- Dec–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Kingston
Great Goat Island is a small private island off St. Catherine, reachable by a short boat from Hellshire Beach. Its forested interior and shoreline offer a quick, low‑key nature walk, beach time and optional camping, making it a day‑trip option for visitors based in Kingston or Portmore.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2026.
Size and age
5 km² (2 sq mi)2 sq mi (5 km²) · national park since 2026
Approximate size of the main island; exact figure not published.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Kingston.
Why go
- Short boat ride from Hellshire Beach gives quick access to a largely forested private island.
- Self‑guided hikes let you explore coastal forest and beach views.
- Opportunities for sun‑bathing, snorkeling and low‑key camping.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, mild temperatures.
- FebDry, pleasant.
- MarStart of warm season.
- AprWarm, still dry.
- MayIncreasing rain.
- JunRainy, humid.
- JulPeak rain, possible storms.
- AugRainy, hot.
- SepRainy, occasional storms.
- OctRain tapers, still warm.
- NovDry, cooler.
- DecDry, comfortable.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastal birds, occasional iguanasAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Kingston
Taxi or bus to Hellshire Beach (≈30 km (19 mi)), then 10‑minute boat to the island.Taxi or bus to Hellshire Beach (≈19 mi (30 km)), then 10‑minute boat to the island.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Portmore
Local taxi to Hellshire Beach, then boat.
≈45 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal forest | Dense tropical trees, short trails to beach. | Open; walk from landing point. |
| Beach area | Sandy stretch suitable for sun‑bathing and swimming. | Open; no facilities. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata centre of the island; landing point approximated.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Island entry (private owner) | Free | person | No public fee listed; arrange with boat operator – check. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Entry permission permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated spots; no open fires.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
- Boating
- Only use licensed operators from Hellshire Beach.
Where to stay
Near the park
Hellshire Beach inns
Small guesthouses and budget hotels.
Near the park
Portmore accommodations
Various hotels and apartments.
Safety
Sun exposure medium
Limited medical help low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Landing point reachable by small boat; short flat trails suitable for most walkers.
Visiting lightly
- Leave no trace; use reef‑safe sunscreen.
- Support local boat operators who follow environmental guidelines.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Great Goat Island?
No public fee is listed; you must arrange a boat from Hellshire Beach, and the operator will tell you any charge – check before booking.
What are the best hikes in Great Goat Island?
A short coastal walk (≈1–2 h) from the landing point follows the shoreline through forest to a small beach; it is the main trail on the island.
When is the best time to visit Great Goat Island?
The dry season (December to April) offers the most reliable weather and calm seas for the boat ride.
Can I camp on Great Goat Island?
Camping is allowed in designated spots; bring your own gear and pack out all waste.
Is the island safe for solo travellers?
Yes, the island is considered safe, but bring water, sun protection and a basic first‑aid kit; the nearest medical help is in Portmore.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Great Goat Island
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