Cabarita Island, Port Maria, Jamaica
Cabarita Island, a small uninhabited islet off the coast of Port Maria in St. Mary Parish, Jamaica, is steeped in rich history and local lore. Known alternatively as “Treasure Island,” legends whisper of buried treasures and the shallow graves of runaway enslaved individuals on its shores.
Port Maria itself holds significant historical importance. Originally named “Puerto Santa Maria,” it was the second town established by Spanish settlers in Jamaica. The town’s harbor is overlooked by the ruins of Fort Haldane, a fortification built in 1759 to protect the area from Spanish raids and to maintain control over the enslaved population.
Fort Haldane played a pivotal role in Tacky’s Rebellion, one of Jamaica’s most significant slave uprisings in 1760. Led by Tacky, a formerly enslaved Akan man, rebels seized the fort, killing its guards and taking control of firearms and gunpowder. The uprising was a fierce struggle against colonial oppression, though it was ultimately suppressed.
Today, Cabarita Island remains a serene and uninhabited spot, its legends and historical connections continuing to intrigue locals and visitors alike.
