any of y'all been to Jamaica?

[sharky60]

Hola Cozumelinos & Cozumelinettes! Any of y'all been to Jamaica? Ocho rios area in particular, who did you dive with?

 

[Mscdex]

Dressel divers in Montego Bay. Not sure about Ocho

 

[nodakdive]

I stayed at Breezes Runaway Bay (30 miles from Ocho Rios?) and dove with the house op. I think that resort has changed hands now. Probably not any help for what I'm guessing is a cruise stop dive porting at Ocho Rios?

I was disappointed with the diving. It would be a wonderland dive destination, but there are very few fish, and thus lots of algae on the reefs. Great structure. Barely any current. Lots of brown. Also got to witness a DM harassing the only turtle we saw in a week of diving. That was horrible.

 

[CathyE]

Dove with Sandals in Ocho Rios. Very strict with staying with the DM. You could do the deep (80 ft) if AOW or the shallow (40 ft), but even if AOW you could not follow the DM at 60 ft.
I think I saw as many fish/corals when snorkelling on the way to Dunns River Falls as on any of the dives we did.
It was Christmas week last year and a storm had stirred things up, vis wasn't great and they did not dive the first three days of our week.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[ednedfred]

Stayed at Iberostar Grand in Montego Bay and dove with Dressel. Overall the reefs were in great shape as very few divers visit the reefs (at least close to the Iberostar).

 

[sharky60]

yeah worried about the vis up there anyway with the Dunn's River dumping into the sea in that area anyway.

just something we are checking into. some non-diver friends just booked a week in that area and invited us ... I'm lobbying for Coz ...

 

[caribean-ted]

I stayed at the riu ocho rios, the dive op was onsite but since gone. The diving there wasnt that great, lots of reef is destroyed due to neglect and fished out it seemed. was 2 years ago I was there. I got certified there. Personally, I wouldnt go there for a dive trip. The people and area were nice though.

 

[lovemx]

I dove off Ocho Rios. I was picked up at the dock from the cruise ship. Small wooden boat that was very cluttered. Never asked to see my card or log. Went to 115' on the first dive. 90' on the second. Sea life was non-existent. The whole event was sketchy. But it was a nice day, warm water and great vis. Just nothing to see. If you are there and want to dive, do it. But if you are wanted to go somewhere based on diving. Jamaica wouldn't make my top 20 list!

 

[ibj40]

I dove off Ocho Rios. I was picked up at the dock from the cruise ship. Small wooden boat that was very cluttered. Never asked to see my card or log. Went to 115' on the first dive. 90' on the second. Sea life was non-existent. The whole event was sketchy. But it was a nice day, warm water and great vis. Just nothing to see. If you are there and want to dive, do it. But if you are wanted to go somewhere based on diving. Jamaica wouldn't make my top 20 list!

I would like to add that Jamaica is a large island, with multiple locations to dive. We have only been to Negril (three times so far, and next in December 2015), and have really appreciated the diving there. I think it is a mistake to generalize diving in Jamaica with experiences from only one location, such as Ocho Rios, when there are a number of posts on ScubaBoard supporting the diving quality in Negril (while there are probably an equal number condemning the diving in other parts of the island, such as Ocho Rios).

 

[agilis]

I lived in Jamaica for a long time. Ocho Rios is about the worst place on the island for anything. The best diving is in the Negril area. it's not what it was, but it's better than Ochi. Anything is.