yacht party jamaica

Let us help make your celebration a success! Weddings, Office Parties, Birthdays, Anniversaries, you name it... We do it!

SAIL-A-BRATION CRUISES

Hot music and super hot and spicy dancers combined with unlimited rum, vodka and beer will fuel the party meter to a fever pitch. Adults only!

WET & WILD CRUISE - ADULTS ONLY

WET AND WILD CRUISE

Blend romance and party vibes with a very unique Jamaican culinary experience. A memorable starlight dinner followed by our famous dance party.

CARIBBEAN NIGHT DINNER CRUISE

An unforgettable day of fun aboard our Catamarans. Climb the famous Dunn’s River Falls and party all the way. Red Stripe Beer and Rum drinks on the house!

DUNN’S RIVER FALLS & SNORKEL CRUISE

SNORKEL DUNN'S RIVER CRUISE

Service with a smile that’s the Cool Runnings Catamarans Style.

Jamaica’s number 1 Catamaran Cruises

Cool runnings catamarans.

Loved the boat ride! The crew definitely tried to keep everyone hyped. Music was fantastic! ~ From Tripadvisor ~

A special opportunity to blend romance and party vibes

The staff was incredibly accommodating and energetic! They made sure everyone had a drink in their hand. The DJ was awesome and it was overall just a great time! ~ from Tripadvisor ~

Hot dancers, unlimited rum, vodka and beer plus skinny-dipping at Cool Runnings Cove

Great entertainment on board! This was the best tour during my stay in Jamaica.

~ from Tripadvisor ~

Let us make your celebration a success!

Join our thousands of satisfied guests and find out why cool runnings catamarans has been the #1 cruise company for over 20 years, contact us.

Call us: USA : 1-206-415-9214 | JAMAICA: 876-618-2052 Email us: [email protected] or [email protected] or speak with our online rep today

Sailing from:

Mahogany Beach, Ocho Rios, St. Ann. See on Google map

Bus available for hotel pickup – see hotel pickup time by zone

Mahogany Beach

Contact Cool Runnings Catamarans

1 Marvin’s Park, White River, Ocho Rios, St. Ann

Phone: 876 618 2052 | 876 381 2565 | 876 564 3779

Mobile: US: +1 206 415 9214

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

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Discovering Jamaica's Coastline

Embark on a journey of luxury and sophistication.

We provide  premium yachting experiences with exceptional service tailored to your needs . Our team of seasoned sailors and veterans in five-star hospitality are just the perfect combination to make your getaway exactly as you desire.

We know your time is valuable, so we make it easy for you to create the perfect memorable excursion with us in a few simple steps.

Why choose us

We strive to provide the best luxury yachting service.

• Private Excursions
• Premium features onboard
• Top spots and secluded inlets
• Experienced crew members
• 1 Yacht Captain

Experience Jamaica in a private yacht cruiser, while your captain chauffeurs you across the emerald, blue waters. Our best-qualified crew will pay keen attention to detail.

Choose one of our meticulously pre-designed tours or plan with us your very own escape

Happy Customers

They speak for us.

TIKI PON DA SEA Party Boat in Jamaica

 come tiki with me .

Tiki Boat Party Cruise & Floating Bar

Established 2018, Our Tiki bar boat made Jamaican history with being the first of it's kind to set sail on the shores of the world renowned 7 mile beach Negril. Book with us for a unique water experience unlike any other you will find in Jamaica. All ages welcome to enjoy fun in da sun with our amazing Tiki Crew.  Certainly, memories will be made and cherished for a lifetime!!!  See our cruise options below to book online.  Please make sure to follow, check in, and tag us on Facebook, Tik Tok, and Instagram to see and be apart our daily stories.

As seen in Travel + Leisure magazine February 2022 edition. 2022 Travel & Hospitality Award Winner

Tiki Lunch Cruise

$15,000 JMD per person

2 .5 hour  excursion to  Booby Cay Island  for an amazing fresh lunch prepared by our private chefs. Our mouth watering lunch will be served picnic style on the island. While waiting for lunch to be prepared, please feel free to explore the island.  Once finished eating, you will board back on the boat to complete the cruise to your drop off point.  Includes your meal  choice , all you can drink red stripes, rum punches , and waters .  See menu below for food selections. We must know in advance your food selections.   Please read general Info  below .

Available daily at 11.00am & 3.30pm

Tiki Booze Cruise

$9,000 JMD per person

Enjoy a  90 minute cruise down  7 mile beach or Negril River (when available) with  all you can drink water,  red stripes & rum punch included!   Many other liquors available for additional purchase (Prearrangement must be made for desired liquors/spirits)

Please read general info below.

Available daily at 10.00am & 2.00pm

Tiki Sunset Cruise

Enjoy a 90 minute cruise down 7 mile beach  with all you can drink waters, r ed stripes & rum punch included! Many other liquors available for additional purchase must be pre arranged.   Please read general info bel ow .

Starts between 4:30 & 5pm   daily   depending on your location

Tiki Breakfast Cruise

$13,500 JMD per person

2.5 hour Excursion to Bobby Cay Island for a picnic style breakfast prepared by our private chef. Choose between our  different Breakfast plate options below. If there is something not listed, you can inquire to see if we can accommodate.  Includes your meal choice,   juice, water, red stripes and rum punch.  We can also add mimosas and coffee- 

$1,500 per mimosa and $750 per cup coffee - must be pre-arranged. See menu below- must know  in advance the food selections.   Please rea d the general info below

Starts between 7/ 8am daily

Tiki Coffee Cruise

$7,500 JMD per person

Enjoy a  90 minute cruise down  7 mile beach or Negril River  with all you c an drink Blue Mountain c offee  and waters  included ! The coffee we offer is 100% fair trade certified, and profits from the coffee sales go directly to the farmers of blue mountain! Rum Cream available for additional purchase.   Authentic Jamaican Bush Tea available upon request at additional cost. Beer and rum punch available sold separately and you c an add mimosas for additional but must be pre-arranged.   Also consider adding delicious pastries or Cinnamon rolls to sweeten your ride!

  Pl ease read general info below.

Available daily at 7.30am & 9.00am

Tiki Sunrise River Cruise

Experience a serene and peaceful awakening from the N egril River . Watch the sky light up as the sun rises over the mountains while  we cruise up the Negril River. Generally a 445/530am pick up by van depending on your location within Negril.  You will board the boat from the river bank downtown. This is a  90 minute cruise with a ll you can drink  Blue Mountain coffee and waters included . Red Stripes and rum punch is available sold separately.  Can add mimosas for additional cost and must be pre arranged.  Authentic Jamaican Bush Tea available upon request at additional cost.   Also consider adding delicious pastries or Cinnamon rolls to sweeten your ride!   Please read g eneral info  below 

Tiki Mimosa Cruise

$12,000 JMD per person

Enjoy a 90 minute cruise down 7 mile

Beach or Negril river (when available) with all you can drink mimosas  and waters  included . Consider adding delicious pastries or cinnamon rolls to sweeten your ride!   Please read general info below.

Available daily at 9.30am

GENERAL INFORMATION :

Thank you for your interest in our excursions - here is some general information for you to prepare: 

There is WI-FI and a Bluetooth Speaker System on board. We can play our music list or you can connect and play yours.

Availability listed on website does not reflect real time. A ny bookings made will still need final confirmation which will come via email after booking is made. We will also advise via separate email where we will pick up/board based on where you’re staying. 

For payments, We do prefer cash however we also have a credit card scan to pay processing system on board the boat. There will be a 5% fee added for use of this system. D eposit may be required which will be coordinated once booking is made via email. We can send links to prepay in advance with 5% fee. There is no way to pay from this website- please book for reservations only.

Our hours are 5AM (sunrise) through sunset each day, weather and sea conditions permitting. Last cruise starts between 430/5pm which is the sunset cruise.  If weather or sea is an issue, we will reschedule or refund if reschedule not possible

We do pick up and drop by boat from locations on 7 Mile Beach and bloody bay.  In some cases, depending our daily scheduled cruises, we may have to pick up or drop off with our van (no charge to you). We do this to centralize our boarding from one location in effort to make the times work logistically for all guests. Our schedule does change daily based on what is booked so keep in mind cruise boarding times may vary 15/30 minutes. We do stay in contact with any schedule changes.

While tipping is not required, we greatly appreciate tips to our crew.  Life guards and life vests are on board at all times. 

We can arrange custom cruises for longer duration, private and special occasions.  We have arranged cruises for weddings, engagements, birthdays, bachelor & bachelorette parties, and anniversaries!! 

Please note that generally all cruises booked online are shared unless private is requested, arranged and paid for.  Contact us directly to inquire for pricing. 

Generally we need 24 hours notice cruises with food. For any of our cruises, you can add meals from our menu below “to go style” to eat while cruising for additional cost. 

Suggested items to bring on board:

Bathing suit /coverup attire - will get wet in most cases - 

Water shoes if booking lunch or breakfast cruise to the island

Water case for phone or camera 

Bug spray while on island 

Apply Sunscreen if easy to burn 

Feel free to bring whatever you’d like on board. These items have been suggested from previous guests

Children are welcome - however- please check directly for private cruise availability if children are within your group as we generally must book cruises with children as private 

Breakfast Menu

Jamaica’s National Dish- ackee and saltfish served with toast and your choice of fresh fruit, or provisions- yam boiled banana and callaloo 

Butterbean and saltfish with toast and your choice of fresh fruit, or provisions- yam boiled banana and callaloo 

Eggs your style served toast and your choice of bacon or fresh fruit

Tiki French Toast- served with choice of bacon or fresh fruit

Large Fruit Platter with 7 different native fruits served with toast and guava jam

Pancakes- plain or add bananas- served with choice of bacon or fresh fruit

Steam or Escovitch whole snapper   fish

Grilled lobster with our signature real butter garlic sauce (available July 1st thru March 31st)

Coconut Curry  or Garlic Buttery  Crab

 Seasoned Grilled chicken with or without Jerk sauce 

Shrimp- your choice in preparation-fried, coconut fried, garlic rundown, grilled or curried 

Vegetarian/Ital Dish 

All meals served with steam veg or callaloo and garlic bread

We can do combo meals for additional cost and upgrade the size of lobster for additional cost.  Please make a note in the "notes section" while booking if interested

We offer cakes, cupcakes, fresh hot cinnamon rolls and other pastries for additional cost- message us to coordinate. 

We do have vegan butter options as well for additional cost.

You can add any of our meals to our other cruises to eat while cruising!

Tiki Meals on wheels- will deliver any of our food menu items to any location within Negril area - minimum order of $10,000 JMD for this service.  Email us for arrangement

Our chefs are trained and properly educated on safe food handling. Please inform us of any food allergies or special needs.

We now have road tours available please contact

Tiki Touch Road Tours for collaboration with your map of excursions at:

[email protected]

When an American lady and a Jamaican gentleman had an idea back in 2017 to build a custom one of a kind motorized Tiki bar, nothing could stop us. Our dream became reality in 2018 when our cruising Tiki boat first set sail on the world renowned 7 mile beach in Negril. We made history in Jamaica as nothing like this had ever set sail on Jamaican shores. We take much pride in knowing that our Tiki is 100% Jamaican made and built from the ground up by local Jamaican boat builders. When booking with us know that you are supporting a small family owned and operated business that employs an amazing crew of local Jamaicans to guide and entertain our guests. Our floating bar and famous rum punch is ready to host your own personal party Pon Da sea!! We greatly value and appreciate your support to our Tiki Family!!

OUR SERVICES

Cruise with us down 7 Mile Beach or Negril River.

All you can drink on board ! 

All you can drink Red Stripe Beers, Rum Punch, Mimosas or Blue Mountain Coffee.

Fun experience

From 90 minutes to 3 hours excursions, have a blast with us on the Tiki Pon Da Sea !

PHOTO AND VIDEO GALLERY

TIKI PON DA SEA T-SHIRTS & TUMBLERS

Tiki Pon Da Sea T-Shirts and Insulated tumblers available for sale   Local pick up only in Jamaica $3,800 JMD each for T-Shirts $7,500 JMD each for Insulated tumblers

GUEST REVIEW

“We had an amazing time on Tiki Pom Da Sea. The food, the service, the music and of course the drinks were all amazing. If you’re in Jamaica you need to take a ride on this tiki boat. Thanks for the great souvenirs also. We will be back!!!”

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Explore The Island Guide

Subscribe to e-newsletter, book your trip.

Are you ready to experience Jamaica’s hottest new all inclusive excursion?

Experience "fantasy island".

Fantasy Island is a one of a kind 43’ custom  tiki  boat built right here in Jamaica. Loaded with everything you need for your very own floating “Fantasy Island” experience.   

At Jamaica Tiki Party Charters, we offer a variety of packages to cater to every kind of traveler. Join our all-inclusive party cruise!!!!

Public Cruises

Night cruise, pricing & information, special events.

Private Cruises “Fantasy Island” Jamaica’s only custom-built tiki party barge is the perfect way to celebrate that special occasion with a private charter. Just want to party privately with your closest friends? No Problem! We got you covered. We cater and customize for all events.

Bachelor/ Bachelorette Parties

Anniversary celebrations, corporate events, birthday party celebrations, customized event tours.

So many reasons to cruise.  Your  tiki  adventure can be customized to your event. Contact us to discuss the details.   

Quick Links

• Address: 144 Little bay, Country Club, Negril, Westmoreland.
• Phone 1: 876-446-2889
• Phone 2: 876-552-8882
• WhatsApp: 416-903-6101

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Make an enquiry for an upcoming cruise.

Please complete the form to make an inquiry. We will reach out to you within 48 hours to confirm and complete payment.

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In addition to the best offers we have for boat and yacht charter in Montego Bay, Jamaica, see also options available for rent in these nearby locations:

• 1 boat rental in Lucea, Jamaica
• 1 boat rental in Falmouth, Jamaica
• 1 boat rental in Negril, Jamaica

Montego Bay, Jamaica could be the perfect boating playground for you

Our premium inventory of montego bay, jamaica private party boat charters, how to find the best boat for fantastic yachting experiences, how much does it cost to rent a yacht in montego bay, jamaica for a day, essential safety tips for recreational boating.

• if you rent a captained charter, always pay close attention to your captain
• walk slowly and never run onboard as you can easily slip and fall overboard
• be mindful of stairs and hatches (never step on them)
• if you go swimming, floating or paddling, stay away from other boats even if they are anchored or moored
• pay attention to the other group members and make sure that everybody is accounted for at all times

Eco-friendly practices for boaters

• Don’t litter or throw waste overboard - take rubbish home and dispose of it responsibly
• Eco-friendly sunblock can help prevent damage to marine life
• buy local and sustainable food products
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Private Yacht Charters in Kingston, Jamaica

Private charters in kingston, jamaica, our catamarans.

Why choose a Loose Cannon Catamaran?

Catamarans are the most comfortable and stable vessels on the water. Our large catamarans range from 50-69 feet. Catamarans have two hulls instead of one, so they are a lot more stable in the water than a regular boat.

Our catamarans have much more space than monohulls, so they are great for social distancing.

Our boats are well maintained, licensed and insured, and have all the safety equipment required for a commercial operation. Everything has been done to meet highest safety standards.

Our staff are all trained and certified to carry out their functions, and our boats come with multiple lifeguards to ensure your safety, which is our number one priority.

We meet all the requirements of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica and the Jamaica Tourist Board.

Our pricing is extremely competitive, so you can get one of our catamarans for a small group at the same price you would pay for a much smaller boat, that in most cases is not licensed and insured for commercial operation.

Our boats have the highest quality sound systems on the water, food warmers, and a proper bar for your refreshments, along with 4 restrooms.

When going to sea, put your safety and comfort first, that’s what we do.

Book today and see why we are Rated #1 of 38 outdoor activities in Kingston Jamaica on Trip Advisor!

Our catamarans are perfect for hosting your special occasions such as birthdays, bachelor and bachelorette parties, weddings, receptions, anniversary, staff parties, staff team building days, product launches, business entertainment, etc.

Let’s talk about customising your special event!

Loose Cannon Catamaran

Loose Cannon 3 Catamaran

CANCELLATION/RESCHEDULING POLICY

One person’s perfect day on the water differs from person to person. As a tour and charter company, cancellations with short notice are very costly. At the same time, we understand that things come up and we don’t feel it is right for you to lose your entire charter or ticket fee if you have to cancel /reschedule.

Notice of cancellation or rescheduling must be in writing by WhatsApp to 876-495-2222 or by email to [email protected]

FOR TOURS Our Cancellation Policy is simple and strict, but fair. You may cancel your reservation for a tour at any time, but we DO NOT give refunds; rather we will credit your account for use another time. If you cancel with 24 hours or more notice before a tour, there will be no penalty. However, if you cancel with less than 24 hours notice, or you fail to show up for your tour you will have to pay a JA$3000 or USD$20 rescheduling fee to go out with us on a future date. Unused tickets are valid for only 6 months. Payment for food is non-refundable 24 hours before the cruise.

FOR CHARTERS 7 days notice or more: Full Refund Less than 7 days: 50% Refund

Sail • Escape • Unwind

• OUR EXPERIENCES

From reserving your very own VIP yacht charter to savoring a delectable dining experience, indulging in our premium bar, and embarking on a mesmerizing snorkeling adventure, allow us to meticulously craft and orchestrate every detail of your day at sea.

Your voyage is not just a journey; it’s a symphony of luxury , and we are the navigators, poised to craft your masterpiece .

Indulge in the extraordinary world of Soma, the leading purveyor of opulent yacht experiences in Montego Bay, Jamaica where we redefine the very essence of luxury on the deep blue seas.

Guided by our unwavering ethos – “Sail, Escape, Unwind” – our ultimate aspiration is to transform your vacation into an incomparable experience of affluence.

Dedicated to the highest standards of privacy and a meticulous devotion to the finer nuances of life, our team of seasoned professionals is unwavering in their commitment to craft experiences that transcend imagination.

Sea & Food

Fill up your body and mind with energy with our delicious lunch served onboard. Lunch and a selection of alcoholic beverages are included in the experience. Customize this private tour to suit your needs. Enjoy the views while relaxing on board your private yacht.

Be as active or as relaxed as you like on this tour.

Lunch Menu includes:

Chicken Wings Chicken Quesadillas Coconut Shrimp Nacho and spinach dip Assorted fruits

Our bar menu includes:

Mimosas (tropical and traditional) Sparkling Wine Rum and vodka mixes Red Stripe beer Red Label Tanqueray gin Selection of Chaser Juices and water

Whether it’s an exclusive family voyage, an exquisite bachelorette soirée, a milestone birthday celebration, or a day of pure indulgence at sea, we take immense pride in our unparalleled adaptability. Our board-certified crew members are authentic masters in their field.

Welcome to a realm where luxury embraces the horizon , and let us be your guides into a world of absolute sophistication and opulence.

What to bring

Sail along the majestic coastline of Montego Bay. Escape! Explore what it means to feel free on the Caribbean sea as our experience affords you peace of mind and a sense of relief.

Treat yourself to exotic mimosas, caribic sunsets and undiluted fun.

• Montego Bay Sailing & Snorkeling Tours
• Montego Bay Dreamer Deluxe
• Montego Bay Sunset Cruise
• Montego Bay Cruise to Negril
• Falmouth Sail Away With Dreamer (New!)
• Negril Sail & Snorkel with Rick’s Cafe
• Private Charters
• Get in touch

Dreamer Catamarans Adventures in Jamaica

We have the perfect tour for you.

From dawn 'til dusk, we have the tour for you to experience the beauty of Jamaica from the sea.

We have private charters & special events

Here's what you can expect, festive spirit.

Dreamer Catamarans is your ultimate sailing experience. Family owned and operated since 1987,  we've been the leader for sailing excursions in Montego Bay for over 30 years.

See what they're saying!

The Dreamer catamaran was an excellent choice of excursions while docked in Jamaica. Even those who did not choose to snorkel had a wonderful time. The crew was very interested in making sure everyone had a good time. I'd recommend this excursion for all ages. Dreamer Catamaran Sail and Lagoon Snorkel

Crew did a great job. Food, water, rum drinks and foot massage as well as the captain giving us a history and environmental lecture completed. The beautiful reef and fishes. Montego Bay Sailing Tour Guest

It is a breath of fresh air to work with a vendor who is reliable, honest and understanding. Words are unlimited in describing the team at Dreamer Catamarans as they go beyond the call of duty to ensure that everything is done with excellence and expeditiously, always with the customer top of mind. The boats are of the best quality and kept in pristine order. Myrtle Dwyer, Glamour Destination Management

As we got on the catamaran it was a perfect day. The staff were gracious and informative. We had a great sail to the snorkel site and plenty of time in the water. After snorkelling we had a tour of the bay and lots of rum punch and beer. Great day of snorkeling!

JAMAICA YACHT CHARTER

Take a Jamaican yacht charter to discover firsthand the beauty and magical allure of the island of Jamaica. Jamaica offers a diverse blend of Caribbean flair, luxurious amenities, and natural landscapes as a well-established superyacht destination. Prepare to immerse yourself in its warm, welcoming culture.

Filled with sun-soaked beaches, lush rainforests, and towering mountains, a Jamaican yacht charter is the most convenient and luxurious way to cruise from one gorgeous sun-soaked destination to the next. From hiking to scuba diving, gambling and clubbing, there is much to see and do. Jump right into the laid-back lifestyle the island is famous for and enjoy a taste of its colourful world firsthand.

Be prepared to leave all potential worries and stresses behind and experience the luxury of chartering. Your yacht captain and crew will be on hand to guide you and fulfil all of your wishes. During your Jamaican yacht charter, anything is possible.

YACHTS FOR CHARTER IN THIS AREA

Whispers II

Quantum of Solace

Black Pearl

• Dunn’s River Fall
• Seven Mile Beach
• Blue & John Crow Mountains
• Boston beach
• Blue Lagoon
• Doctor’s Cave Beach
• White Witch Golf
• Bob Marley Museum
• Reach Falls
• Tryall Golf

Yachts for charter

Frank's story, destinations, would you like us to call you back.

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• Guided tour

River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat

• Description
• Choose date

Equipped with ice-breaking technology, these huge fancy yachts are the only river cruisers running all year around. The round trip journey takes two and a half hours and floats past all the big sights like the White House, Novodevichy monastery and the Kremlin. There’s a large open air observation deck up top, while the main body of the ship houses a restaurant with a dance floor for a romantic post dinner dance. For a particularly romantic experience take one of the evening boats and admire the bright lights of the city skyline at night.

The most relaxing and picturesque tour that Moscow can offer: a great way to see the city center and its main attractions. This is a perfect alternative to exploring the city by car, if you only have time to do sightseeing during weekday rush hours.

Your English-speaking guide is eager to share every bit of their knowledge about the surrounding landscape, the architecture and historical details.

We conduct Moscow river tour on Radisson Flotilla boats all year around!  It’s warm inside during winter months, while there’s air conditioning during hot summer days. You may also treat yourself to drinks, lunch or dinner on board (drinks and food are not included in tour price).

The cost of an excursion with a personal guide for 1 person

Quay at Radisson Collection Hotel

Government Headquarters ("the White House")

Kievsky Railway Central

Novodevichy Convent

Luzhniki Stadium

Academy of Sciences

Monument to Peter I

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour

Moscow Kremlin

St.Basil's Cathedral

Novospassky Monastery

U-turn and back to Quay at Radisson Royal Hotel

Choose your dates

Who's going.

• Excursion River Cruise on Luxurious Radisson Boat
• Date and time:
• Who's going:

See photo of the meeting point

Russian Disinformation Videos Smear Biden Ahead of U.S. Election

Many of the videos are trying to appeal to right-wing voters with fake messages about President Biden, experts say.

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By Julian E. Barnes and Steven Lee Myers

Julian Barnes, who covers U.S. intelligence agencies, and Steven Lee Myers, who covers misinformation, have been reporting on Russian efforts to influence the 2024 presidential election.

Last month, a video began circulating on social media purporting to tell the story of an internet troll farm in Kyiv targeting the American election.

Speaking in English with a Slavic accent, “Olesya” offers a first-person account of how she and her colleagues initially worked in support of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine. Then, she says, after a visit by mysterious Americans who were “probably C.I.A.,” the group began sending messages to American audiences in support of President Biden.

“We were told our new target was the United States of America, especially the upcoming elections,” the woman in the video says. “Long story short, we were asked to do everything to prevent Donald Trump from winning the elections.”

The video is fake, part of an effort to cloud the political debate ahead of the U.S. elections.

U.S. officials say the video is consistent with Russian disinformation operations as internet warriors aligned with Russia appear to be honing their strategy. Some of the old tactics of 2016 or 2020 could be used again, with new refinements.

An analysis of the video done by U.S. intelligence agencies found that the voice of “Olesya” was synthetically generated, an intelligence official said Thursday, a potential sign of how Russian operatives are blending new techniques with old tactics.

While there has been much hand-wringing over the role that artificial intelligence could play this year in fooling voters, current and former officials said that videos were one of the most immediate threats.

Microsoft said the video featuring “Olesya” probably came from a group it calls Storm-1516, a collection of disinformation experts who now focus on creating videos they hope might go viral in America.

The group most likely includes veterans of the Internet Research Agency, a Kremlin-aligned troll farm that sought to influence the 2016 election. The agency was run by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner mercenary group who led a rebellion against the Kremlin and then was killed in a plane crash that American and allied officials believe was orchestrated by Russian intelligence agencies.

Microsoft said the group also included people associated with Valery Korovin, the figurehead of an obscure Moscow-based think tank called the Center for Geopolitical Expertise, a conservative organization affiliated with Aleksandr Dugin, an ultranationalist writer who faces U.S. sanctions for his role in recruiting fighters for the war.

Russian operatives are leaning into videos, many of them that falsely purport to be made by independent journalists or whistle-blowers. The videos, opposed to blog or social media posts, are more likely to spread beyond the conspiratorial fringes of America and become part of mainstream discourse.

On Wednesday afternoon, Avril D. Haines, the director of national intelligence, told the Senate Intelligence Committee that Russia was the most active threat to the coming election. Russia, she said, tries to erode trust in democratic institutions, exacerbate social divisions and undermine support for Ukraine.

“Russia relies on a vast multimedia influence apparatus, which consists of its intelligence services, cyberactors, state media proxies and social media trolls,” she said. “Moscow most likely views such operations as a means to tear down the United States.”

China has a sophisticated influence operation and is increasingly confident in its ability to affect election results, Ms. Haines said. But she added that the intelligence community assessed that China did not try to influence the 2020 presidential election, and that so far there was no information that China would be more active in this year’s contests.

Senator Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia and the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, said that adversaries had a greater incentive than ever to intervene in elections but that the public had too often treated such meddling “as trivial or quaint.”

Clint Watts, the general manager of Microsoft’s Threat Analysis Center, said pushing out written disinformation with bots was largely a waste of time — in 2024 it is disinformation video that has the best chance of spreading with American audiences.

The C.I.A. video, Mr. Watts said, was a classic Russian tactic: accuse your adversary of the very thing you are doing. “When they say there’s a troll farm operated by Zelensky in Ukraine going after the U.S. election, what they’re saying is this is what we’re doing,” Mr. Watts said.

Walter Trosin, a spokesman for the C.I.A., said the agency was not involved in the activities described in the video.

“This claim is patently false and precisely the type of disinformation that the intelligence community has long warned about,” Mr. Trosin said. “C.I.A. is a foreign-focused organization that takes our obligation to remain uninvolved in American politics and elections very seriously.”

At the Senate hearing, Ms. Haines praised the C.I.A. for calling out the video publicly, saying it was an example of how the government will identify disinformation by Russia or other countries during the current election.

Multiple groups in Russia push out disinformation aimed at America . In addition to the videos, researchers and government officials say, Russia has created a handful of fake American local news sites and is using them to push out Kremlin propaganda , interspersed with stories about crime, politics and culture.

Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, who retired from the Army this year and is the former director of the National Security Agency, said the best defense to Russian disinformation remained the same: identifying it and publicizing the propaganda push. The United States, he said, needs to expand its information sharing both domestically and around the world so people can identify, and discount, disinformation spread by Moscow.

“The great antidote to all of this is being able to shine a light on it,” said General Nakasone, who last week was named as the founding director of Vanderbilt University’s new Institute for National Defense and Global Security. “If they are trying to influence or interfere in our elections, we should make it as hard as possible for them.”

Some mainstream Republicans have already warned fellow lawmakers to be wary of repeating claims that originated in Russian disinformation or propaganda.

“We see directly coming from Russia attempts to mask communications that are anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages, some of which we even hear being uttered on the House floor,” Representative Michael R. Turner, an Ohio Republican who is the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, told CNN’s “State of the Union” on April 7.

Russia’s information warriors have pushed fake videos to spread lies about Ukraine , aimed at undermining its credibility or painting it as corrupt. Republican politicians opposed to sending more aid to Ukraine have repeated baseless allegations that Mr. Zelensky has tried through associates to buy a yacht, disinformation that first appeared on a video posted to YouTube and other social media sites.

Most of the videos produced by Storm-1516 fail to get traction. Others come close. A video pushed out on a Russian Telegram channel purported to show Ukrainian soldiers burning an effigy of Mr. Trump, blaming him for delays in aid shipments.

The video was highlighted on Alex Jones’s right-wing conspiracy site, InfoWars, and other English-language outlets. But it was quickly discounted — the purportedly Ukrainian soldiers had Russian accents and were masked.

“This campaign has been working to advance some of Russia’s key objectives, particularly that of portraying Ukraine as a corrupt, rogue state that cannot be trusted with Western aid,” Mr. Watts said.

Since last August, Microsoft has identified at least 30 videos produced by Storm-1516. The first ones were aimed at Ukraine. But others are trying to influence American politics by appealing to right-wing audiences with messages that Mr. Biden is benefiting from Ukrainian assistance.

Intelligence officials, lawmakers and security firms have warned about the use of artificial intelligence by China, Russia and other nation states intent on spreading disinformation. But so far, Russian groups like Storm-1516 have mostly avoided using A.I. tools, according to security firms.

“Many of the A.I. campaigns are easy to detect or unwind,” said Brian Murphy, the general manager of national security at Logically, which tracks disinformation. “A.I. is getting better, but it is still not at the stage this year wherein it is going to be used at the scale and with the quality some predict. Maybe in a year or so.”

Both government officials and outside experts, however, have said that A.I.-altered audio had proved more effective than altered videos. At the hearing on Wednesday, Ms. Haines highlighted a fake audio recording released in Slovakia two days before its parliamentary election. While quickly identified as fake, news and government agencies struggled to disclose the manipulation and the target of the fake recording lost a close election.

Outside experts have said that artificial intelligence has been used in some Russian propaganda videos to obscure accents. It is not clear exactly why a synthetic voice would have been used in the fake video of the C.I.A. troll farm.

But on Wednesday, Ms. Haines said artificial intelligence and other innovations “have enabled foreign influence actors to produce seemingly authentic and tailored messaging more efficiently at greater scale and with content adapted for different languages and cultures.”

For now, though, basic videos like the C.I.A. troll farm or yacht video that purport to have authentic narrators with access to exquisite information are the most prevalent threat.

In 2016, Russian-controlled propagandists could push out fake news articles or social media posts and, in some cases, have an impact. But now, those old techniques do not work.

“No one will pay attention to that nowadays,” Mr. Watts said. “You have to have a video form to really grab an American audience today, which 10 years ago was just not even technically that possible.”

Julian E. Barnes covers the U.S. intelligence agencies and international security matters for The Times. He has written about security issues for more than two decades. More about Julian E. Barnes

Steven Lee Myers covers misinformation and disinformation from San Francisco. Since joining The Times in 1989, he has reported from around the world, including Moscow, Baghdad, Beijing and Seoul. More about Steven Lee Myers

Our Coverage of the 2024 Election

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