The Jamaica Channel is a strait separating the islands of Jamaica and Hispaniola, in the Caribbean Sea.[1] Along with the Windward Passage to its north, it connects the Caribbean Sea to the North Atlantic Ocean. Due to its location about 1,000 kilometres (620 mi) north-east of the Panama Canal, it is a main sea lane through which vessels with Pacific Ocean destinations sailing from the eastern seaboards of the United States and Canada, as well from Europe, frequently pass.[1]
The strait is about 190 kilometres (120 mi) wide with depths of up to 1,200 metres (3,900 ft).[2]
Located in the strait about 55 kilometres (34 mi) west of Haiti is Navassa Island, an uninhabited limestone and coral island measuring some 5.2 km².