Beaches-Jamaica Sandy Bay 17-24 July

[divezonescuba]

Hello:

We be at the Beaches in Sandy Bay in Jamacia between 17 and 24 July. Concidentally, there's another couple from the Houston area that will be at the other Beaches resort that shares the same dive boat.

Anyone else on the board going to be down there at the same time?

Other than making sure to signup the same day as we arrive are there any other last minute tips?

 

[Scuba One]

Below are the specifics on requirements on thier dive program. I have sent guests to the Beaches Resorts in Negril that did a pool refresher before leaving home, with a dive instructor from home signing thier log, and it was honored. If you are thinking of doing this, I suggest having your travel agent reconfirm it will be honored with the resort so you don't have to do it twice.

Regarding your email request; NB: The under mention are need to know information. It is straight forward, and also standard throughout Sandals/Beaches Resorts

• Certified diver who have dive within 6 months can go straight to a dive, once he or she clear medical and show proof of dive e.g. Logbook with stamp authenticating the dive/s & depth. Dive Computer
• All diver/s that have not dive in 7 months and up must do a pool assessment of 4 skills.
• Certified diver/s that has not dive up to 18 months must do a refresher at a minimal cost.
• All diver/s below Dive Master Level must do a shallow dive before they (diver) can go on any deep dive.
• All diver/s that complete the shallow dive satisfactory will be able to do both deep and shallow dives daily
Once the requirements are met all certified divers can dive twice (2) per day seven days per week if they (Diver) so desire.

All participants certified or non-certified diver/s MUST fill out a medical questionnaire before he or she can participate in recreational diving. This information is in case a medical clearance from a doctor may be needed for any medical condition including medication being taken. See (Sandals All Inclusive Caribbean Resorts & Vacation Packages | Wedding, Honeymoon, Couples Only) to view medical statement

 

[SandPhantom]

You beat me to it DiveMon. Looks like I need to do a shallow before we can dive deep. See ya on the boat tomorrow.

Chad

 

[ReefHugger]

PITY! I will be there the following week. Probably, cross each other in the reception area .

The watersports hut (I think) closes at 5pm - hope your arrival will be in time. If close, leave someone to check in, and you head off to watersports.

The better dive is normally the 9am dive, while the 11am is generally for check out and resort divers. Usually, I do both regardless. You can sign up for your whole week in advance. A bit unfair, however, if you don't use the slots as sometimes there is a numbers restriction and divers are turned away. Frequently, B. Sandy Bay has more divers than the larger B. Negril (adults only) whose guests tend to indulge a bit more at nights (my speculation).

You might want to take your own regulator. I found many of the hotel's to be in need of servicing (they have a rough life), mainly little leaks and chewed up mouth pieces.

Don't expect the fish life of Cayman (although a couple yrs. back a pod? of dolphins took up residence there). There is still a lot to see - turtles, eels, lionfish, nurse sharks,squids, rays, schools of goatfishes, grunts, and creole wrasses - just not with the frequency of renown dive destinations. Then there are the sponges, sea fans and gorgonians -all this in warm, calm (mostly), seas with good vis. - very pleasant and ridiculously easy.

The DM's are in the main very pleasant and they do try to please within the strict rules (depth/time) laid down by management. Be patient with them and use your smile a lot.

Additionally, if you have kids, there is a water park (slides) opposite B. Sandy Bay.

If you have other questions, feel free to PM me.

Have fun.

 

[divezonescuba]

We're arriving at the airport at 2PM.

If its close, I think we'll lock our luggage to the nearest non-moveable object in the lobby and rush down to the watersports shack.

 

[SandPhantom]

I think we get in at 1:45. So I will meet you down there. Ready for some Jerk Chicken! You guys diving this weekend? I had something come up last weekend and may be able to get out both days this weekend.

 

[ibj40]

Hello:

We be at the Beaches in Sandy Bay in Jamacia between 17 and 24 July. Concidentally, there's another couple from the Houston area that will be at the other Beaches resort that shares the same dive boat.

Anyone else on the board going to be down there at the same time?

Other than making sure to signup the same day as we arrive are there any other last minute tips?

We've been to the Negril area twice, once in 2003, next in 2008. Both times we stayed at Couples. First time dove with on-site dive op, and had to endure the one-dive-at-a-time protocol, which was painful, as to get in two dives, you did the 9:00 a.m. followed quickly by the 1:00 p.m. :depressed: Literally burned up most of the day.

Second time we dove with Sun Divers, who would pick us up at the resort and transport us to their dive shop at the Point Village (right next door to Hedonism's beach), where we would do a classic two-tank morning six-pack boat dive, and then transport us back where we could enjoy a normal afternoon like everyone else who had paid for the All-Inclusive resort.

Our experience on the reefs is that there was a marked improvement between 2003 and 2008, and we expect a similar improvement when we go back in 2013. In the five years between our visits, fish populations improved as did reef health.

It appears that there is less fishing in the Negril/Seven Mile Beach area, which is contributing to a natural restoration. On our first trip, fish traps were very apparent and in use. On the second trip, most fish traps we saw had been disabled and were empty.

We didn't see anything big on our second trip, but what we did see were small to medium sized Caribbean Lobsters where we had seen none on the first trip. Makes us encouraged that something is being done right.

Hope you enjoy your trip, and I am looking forward to a trip report once you get back, and your take on the health of the reefs.

:cool2:

 

[mysticman23]

I'll be just down the beach from you all on the southern end of 7 mile. Staying at some condos there the 17th through 27th. I'm not at a resort, so there is no dive op at my location, so I'll probably be diving with Sundivers.

 

[divezonescuba]

Sandphantom/Sandman:

We had a couple of great dives in Mammoth on Saturday. Its the first time I've been able to dive the C130 since they put it in. We went right off of the dock behind the store.

Our plane doesn't actually arrive until 2:15. If there's another shuttle before that, go without us, so you can check into the watersports shack on time.

See you at the jerk chicken shack.