Breezes Runaway Bay Golf Resort in October -Help!!!

[susan6868]

Just booked a last minute, super cheap deal at Breezes Runaway Bay for October 24-29th.

The main focus of the trip was my better half's desire to golf each day. I, being the opportunist that I am, made sure we booked a resort that had diving each day.

I've read the boards, and know the diving isn't world class, but it's diving, and it's included, and it's warm- and that's enough since this wasn't intended to be a "dive trip" from the start.

I know the weather will be "if-y", but the liquors all inclusive so I've got plans rain or shine (he he)

I was wondering a few things:

1. Water temp and exposure suits. The airlines have gotten crazy about checked luggage. The lighter the better. The last time I dove Jamaica was in the summer in Negril. No exposure suit needed. This time I'm thinking skin or a 3ml. Any suggestions?

2. Gear- I'm thinking my own mask, reg, and computer. The BCD can be a resort BCD. It takes up a lot of luggage space. Anyone know how their gear is at Breezes?
He's paying extra to bring his clubs so his gear stays home.

3. The resort. Mixed reviews on TripAdvisor. Anyone been there recently? I think they just had a big renovation but I'm not expecting a whole lot at the price we paid (seriously, it was mad cheap)

4. Tips- anyone have a pearl of wisdom to make the rip more pleasant. Terrible need for Deet, things to bring that I wouldn't think of? Places to go on a non diving day near the resort?

Well, this was not a well planned trip and certainly not a dive trip as we know it but I'm hoping the diving is kinda neat and the weather holds up. It's a vacation though, so it'll be a great time no matter what.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

 

[del_mo]

I've been there twice in November, and going again this November. If you sail, bring gloves...winds can be FUN! We've been blown out a couple of times...not because of waves but low viz. They say it gets pretty stirred up, and I guess you have to take their word for it. The equipment was okay, better than the stuff we had in Negril. But who knows what it will be like this time.

The dives had a little of everything. Dolphins, spotted eagle rays, southern rays, and typical fishies. Just not the quantities you might find elsewhere. The coral is damaged and two years ago showed serious signs of bleaching. There are a couple of interesting wrecks....a plane or two, ruins of a boat. If there is any issue with the diving, it is DM led, and there is little time given to just poke around. Always on the move.

Rooms were just fine. 3 star. Food was okay, but gets boring by the end of the week. Never had any issue with skeeters, gnats, or no-see-um's.

There is Dunns River Falls (okay one time, I guess), a side trip to Hedonism III, and I suppose you could get a taxi into town and go to the straw market.

Beach is beautiful, pool really nice, shade if you want it. It's a good place to have fun/relax.

 

[susan6868]

Thanks Del - sounds like exactly what I expected.
How was the water temp in November and what exposure suit did you wear if any?

 

[del_mo]

I wore a full 3, though probably could have survived with a shorty since the dives aren't very long. Typically the first will be to 90 feet for 20 minutes, followed by one to 50 feet for 30 minutes.

 

[TTT103]

I was just there in August and found the hotel to be comfortable, but nothing to write home to mother about (although they went through a $20M renovation). With that said, it is a great bargain considering that diving is included. One thing that turned me off was the significant number of backward baseball cap wearing, beer guzzling, loud-mouth yahoo's that the property seems to attract.

The dive staff is wonderful. They have one instructor, Kevin, and several Divemasters. Certified divers go on a two tank dive that departs around 9AM. They have a single tank dive for novices around 11:30 or so. You must show your log book depicting at least a couple of dives within the last six months. If you don't, you will need to do a check-out in the pool the day prior to diving.

I will say that the dives were quite enjoyable. There is quite a bit of diversity. We saw a number of turtles and rays in August. They rotate sites, but you do receive some duplication if staying for a week. They provide Sherwood regulators, but I don't recall the brand of BCD's. I wore a shorti-wetsuit, but some wore full-lenghth suits, while many just dove in their swimsuit and t-shirt.

In terms of non-diving/golf activities, the hotel has a board in the lobby that lists an assortment of activities for the day. There is usually more than 20 activities to engage in on a daily basis. They also have an activities desk that will book excursions for you.

 

[Seanpaul]

I dive a skin in Jamaica year round (3 times a day usually).