Diving In Montego Bay and Critters photography/muck diving

[rickcavanaugh]

I have an upcoming business trip to Montego Bay and wondered if it is worthwhile to go diving there.

In particular, how is the macro sealife for photography?

I am not expecting perfect diving, but is there any critters/muck that makes it worthwhile to bring a large housed camera on the trip. If so which area. I will be doing business in Montego Bay, but I could go elsewhere for the weekend if there is a spot somewhere that make dragging the gear worthwhile. (camera bag alone weighs 30 lbs)

 

[olphart]

I don't know about Montego Bay, but up the coast at Ocho Rios it really sucks. Everything is dead, few if any fish. I wouldn't waste my time and money.

 

[ibj40]

I have an upcoming business trip to Montego Bay and wondered if it is worthwhile to go diving there.

In particular, how is the macro sealife for photography?

I am not expecting perfect diving, but is there any critters/muck that makes it worthwhile to bring a large housed camera on the trip. If so which area. I will be doing business in Montego Bay, but I could go elsewhere for the weekend if there is a spot somewhere that make dragging the gear worthwhile. (camera bag alone weighs 30 lbs)

We've been to the Negril area three times, and going back again in December, and have always enjoyed the diving there (and we bring two entire sets of gear - but for a week, not just a couple of days). Haven't tried rental gear, but been on dives where at least four others were using it from the dive op we go with (xxx), so that might be an option (bringing only the stuff you absolutely, positively have to have).

 

[KeithG]

i would skip it.

all of montego bay is a marine park. there are 2 non fishing sanctuary zones within the park. the rest of the park is open to fishing.

we snorkeled in one of the protected areas (corporate trip) and were swarmed by 3inch sargent majors that the the tourists were feeding kibble provided by the tour guides. kind of like pigeons in the park and the popcorn lady.

we stayed just out of town at the oberostar with dressel divers onsite. the majority of divers appeared to be discover scuba divers and the op was totally geared to only service novice divers. the dives were short (20 to 30 minutes) shallow and done as a group. gear up and prep time started an hour before the boat left the dock. the boat was back at the dock around 45 minutes after it left.

i think your challenge will be to find a dive op that is prepared to handle an experienced diver. they will not understand macro muck diving.