Advise on Jamiaca

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Stellak

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Hello--This is my first question on the Forum. We do an annual trip each year with 3 folks who are advanced divers and 3 folks who are non-divers. We are considering Jamiaca this year and I have read a lot of conflicting views about scuba diving there. Some people mentioned great wall dives--but there was nothing to see. Others said the regular commerical dives are not good--but if you "know someone" they can take you great dive sites. Is there anyone with first hand experince that can tell us a good diver operation and the dive sites?

Thanks
Becky Kilpatrick
 
I wouldn't recommend Jamaica at all. The reefs there are in pretty bad shape. I was not impressed at all. The DM on the boat I was on wouldn't dock the boat until everyone on board gave him a tip. I was also very tired of the panhandlers all over the place bugging me everywhere I went. I was in Ocho Rios.
 
Thanks for posting this. I noticed the same thing. I had been thinking of a trip to Jamaica later this year (a collegue, now living in US, is from Jamaica and had me talked into a visit). Unfortunately, I don't know any divers who have visited recently so I was depending on SB, but, the reports seem to be mixed.

Too bad, I was really getting hungry for some good, spicy, food.
 
I had a good diving experience in Jamacia.

Dove with the resort boat at Couples in Negril.
They had an approximate 35 foot Newton Dive Special (nice boat) and
had all the gear set up for us.

The reefs were in good shape and not near as bad as I'd heard they would be.

There was plenty of fish, but not as much as other locations I'd dove in.

It's not Binaire by any means, but it wasn't that bad. For sure it was
better than diving in the quarry.


I'd be really pissed if the DM you had in Ocho Rios made everyone tip
before he docked the boat. Just curious, but what dive operator
was this you use? I want to make sure never to use them.
As for tipping at Couples, tipping was not allowed by the rules, so
you never had anyone hassle for a tip. Even when you tried to tip
them, they would tell you it was against the rules for them to take it.

One more thing about the diving we did in Negril. None of it was what
I'd call "advanced" diving though. Most was reefs in the 40 to 60 foot range.
It was also what you'd call "resort diving" where you had people who were
getting certified or doing the resort course. So nothing hard at all.
Also most of the dives were 1 tanks dives instead of 2 tanks trips.
Only on Saturday did they do a deep dive, which they did a 2 tank trip on.

So if you are going for "hardcore diving", you won't like most of the places
there. But if you just want to relax, sit on the beach, grab a quick dive
and head back to the beach, it isn't that bad.

-mike
 
Why Jamaica? I've never been there; something about it that you do like? Aside from Mike's post above, I don't think I've ever heard anything good about the diving there, but I have heard plenty of reports on the island that sounded discouraging. Roatan, Ambergris Caye Belize, Cozumel, Puerto Rico, etc. seem to have better diving, more inviting island life with attractions for non-divers, and are serviced by dependable airlines.

But like Murph suggested, you'll find a lot more on the island in the two forums he suggested and linked, or try our Search feature.

:bandit_2: don


A few suggestions I do like to offer every new member. First, it's good to keep your Profile with location and Dive Info with number of dives up to date so other members can address any questions appropriately; edit these as possibly needed from your UserCP above or the Quick Links above.

And don't be shy about posting. Click Forums above, tour the long list of choices, and jump in anywhere you're qualified. PM me with any questions, and I'll try to find a pretty good answer.
 
DandyDon:
Aside from Mike's post above, I don't think I've ever heard anything good about the diving there, but I have heard plenty of reports on the island that sounded discouraging.



I didn't mean to make it seem like jamacia was a "great" place to dive.
It's just that the places we dove just north of Negril on the coast
weren't that bad. The coral was in decent shape and fish were ok.
But it was definately a good dive experience (where I was).

I was surprised also as I'd heard many negative things about diving
there in Jamacia. I think that Ocho Rios the diving is "not as good".

The reef in Jamacia (in June 2001) was better than the reef I dove
on in the Berry Islands in the Bahamas in June 2005. But I'm sure
there were other reefs that I didn't see that were much better in
the Berry's. Jamacia was also better diving than some of the
US ocean diving I've been on. But I guess it's all for where
you are.....


As for the country of Jamacia, it's a great country, but you've got
to be prepared for the fact that it's a different culture and the
countries infrastructure is very undeveloped. But it's got some
great resorts and some nice areas outside of the resorts.

However, if you are planning diving as the primary reason for
chosing a location, you can pick a better place.
 
I ve been to Jamaica three times and have spent sevearl weeks there alltogether.

Negril is fabulous and beautiful. Stay at the grand lido if you do . Nice 4 star hotel, all inclusive and not a cheapo like Sandals.

Ochos Rios (8 rivers) was also nice to visist.

However as mentioned in proevious posts, the diving is awful. Go to Belize if you are looking for wall diving.

If you are looking for coral reef in Jamaica, go to your local pet store, because alot of the coral reef has been harvested from there. Thus the low abundance of fish life, etc.


It is really a shame and breaks my heart.

Coupled with the begging, begging, begging from children and adults is not how I like to spemd my vacation,

Not that a good time cant be had, however , diving is not synonymous with diving.
 
Moved from Introductions & Greets forum.
 

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