Jamaica — We need suggestions

[Jersey Guy]

Hello Folks,

With limited forethought, my wife and I latched on to our friends' vacation, which, for better or worse, will be in Negril, Jamaica, the last week in February.

I know the diving is not going to be world class, but we do want to get our gills wet and have as satisfying an experience as possible. We are staying at a family run hotel (White Sands Resort, on the beach), so we'll be searching for a dependable dive operator — with decent equipment. Any suggested dive locations would also be appreciated.

Also, my wife and I have a couple days to burn before meeting with our compadres in Negril, is there any better diving in the region (Falmouth?), or is Negril as good as it gets? Due to time constraints and Jamaica's haphazard public transportation and antiquated roads, we don't want to venture too far afield of our arrival port — Montego Bay — and our meeting point — Negril.

So any dive suggestions, or general Jamaica travel advice would be appreciated.

 

[chrpai]

One good thing about diving in Negril is its the lee side of the island and the WX tends to be alot better then along the north coast. It also tends to be all drift diving.

I can't really give you the name of any ops since I dived with the resort that I was at. But I'll throw a couple of Negril links out for you....

http://www.sundiversnegril.com/
http://www.mldiversnegril.com/

 

[Jersey Guy]

Thanks. Limited info is better than no info at all. I've tried e-mailing a few places; so far no response. I've also tried calling, with little luck. Does not bode well, does it?

 

[chrpai]

I would suggest just checking with the front desk of what ever resort/hotel your at and see if their tour desk reccomends any dive op. It's Jamaica, you're not really going to be able to be picky.

 

[sbernard]

I never thought I'd take a vacation that didn't involve diving till I ended up with my new wife (who at the time was not a diver) in Jamaica.

The topside views are incredible and there's something different to do everyday. Being an avid diver, I didn't think I could go to a plae like that and have fun without getting underwater, but for both of us, it was one of the best vacations ever.

My advice...dive if you can, but don't miss the other stuff that has made this island so popular. I thought I'd hate going to Dunn's River Falls, but it was the high point of my trip. Take a tri-marane (?) snorkeling and end up at Margaritaville. Swin with the dolphins. Ride sea-doos, parasail and all the other touristy things.

You'll have a blast and feel like a kid again!

 

[Jersey Guy]

Thanks for the advice.

Don't worry, we'll be spending a good chunk of our vacation with a 7-year-old, so we'll be doing gobs of touristy stuff above the waves: bamboo rafting, horseback riding, snorkeling, etc. It's just that vacations with dive possibilities are few and far between for us these days, so we'd like to get a little quality time underwater. We'll just have to go in with lowered expectations and hope for the best.

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

We stayed at Sandals Negril in 1999 - and I liked it enough that I spent the extra $$$ to get OW certified there, even though one dive per day for the non-certified was included in the "all inclusive". My wife was already AOW certified (she took scuba for college PE credit!).

Y'all should have a great time there!

 

[munkispank]

Hey Jersey guy- If you could do me a favour and PM me or post up a trip report when you get back, that would be great. I have a stop over in Jamaica for a couple of days on my way back from bonaire in May and want soem dive advice.
jackie

 

[Jersey Guy]

Will do.
We hope to get at least a day's worth of diving in at either around Runaway Bay or Montego Bay. Then, we'll proceed to Negril, have few dives, and decide whether its better to dive or stay topside.

 

[Jersey Guy]

Hey Jersey guy- If you could do me a favour and PM me or post up a trip report when you get back, that would be great. I have a stop over in Jamaica for a couple of days on my way back from bonaire in May and want soem dive advice.
jackie

Hey Jackie,

Won't be able to give you a dive report on Jamaica afterall. A medical emergency has forced us to cancel our trip. If we are able to get some diving in this spring, I think we'll go somewher beside Jamaica. From what I hear and read, too may touts and lots of dead coral.

I'm thinking Dominica instead.

Jersey Guy