NAUTICAL BUT NICE

MY previous sailing lesson 20 years ago was not entirely successful. I was a nautical numpty.

- Foodie and failed sailor NIGEL THOMPSON finds lots to like in Jamaica

"Turn around to the left," said the sailing instructor.

"OK, sure," I replied.

"Not you! The boat!"

"Oh, right."

"No, left!"

So, this time, on the north coast of Jamaica, I am in the hands of genial instructor Carlsen.

And within minutes of launching the Hobie Cat into the Caribbean, and with favourable winds, I am doing the basics of The Steering Thing and generally pointing the boat in the direction Carlsen wishes us to go.

I have not hit any other Hobies, kayakers, the coral reef or indeed neighbouring Cuba to the north, so time to quit while ahead and resume the next day.

Unfortunately, the next day's lesson at the luxurious Sandals Dunn's River resort, near Ocho Rios, is not blessed with favourable winds and, besides The Steering Thing, it now involves The Turning Thing.

With instructor Tavoi's patient guidance, I attempted a jibe turn (easier, as you are turning with the wind) and got it vaguely right, or was it left?

Feeling a bit Ben Ainslie, next up was tacking (more challenging, as you are turning into the wind). After several failures, Tavoi suggested we abandoned ship, so to speak.

Sailing lesson number three the next day was a triumph! Well, with kinder winds, I managed two successful tacking turns and decided I'd got a dose of the sailing bug.

Sailing tuition is included in the price of a Sandals holiday, along with other watersports such as kayaking, paddle boarding, the hilariously bouncy high-speed Big Mable inflatable ride, snorkelling and, jewel in the crown, PADI scuba diving.

Keeping things afloat, I signed up for an included glass-bottomed boat trip where Captain Jack Sparrow (not convinced he was using his real name) sailed from the resort jetty past the Laughing Waters beach and waterfall - the filming location for the first Bond movie Dr No and where bikini-clad Ursula Andress stepped out of the sea and into cinematic legend.