Turks vs. Negril diving and Beaches resort questions

[PM-Performance]

My wife is looking into our vac this year. She found a deal to go to Beaches in Turks again for like $800 less pp then we went a few years ago.
I know what to expect there and the water is nothing less then amazing. I only did one dive there though as a new diver so am interested in seeing more of the island.
Now she tells me Beaches has a new resort in Nigril and asked me if I would be interested in trying something new. I am not sure how the diving is there compared to Turks?

Any opinions?

Also with Beaches since the diving is included, is it hard to get on the boat like daily?

 

[mfalco]

Personally I wouldn't book a Vacation with beaches. They are the same company as Sandals. They have a habit of booking you at one resort, then telling you at the airport that you are actually staying at a different resort. If you read all the fine print it tells you the reserve the right to do that. You may book at their resort in Negril, and end up in Ocho Rios.

 

[mfalco]

To answer you actual question.

I got my OW cert in Negril, and the water was nice. There were good dive sites. Very nice reefs, and a couple sunken planes. Lots of turtles.

 

[PM-Performance]

Ahhhh never knew they could do that. Not a problem in Turks though as they are the only one there I believe

My main thing is wanting to see some bigger stuff. Some of the reports I hear from Jamaica is that they fish it out pretty good. That is my major concern.

 

[Ed Hatfield]

I stayed at the Sandals Negril in January. I didn't have any booking problems but I know it can happen. We met a couple staying there but their friends were at a different resort (White House I think they said) due to overbooking by the resort. They were going to be moved mid week but it was a real inconvenience. The diving was OK. If you haven't been, then you should check it out at least once. The highlight of my two weeks was seeing a dolphin at depth. We were about 35 feet and it swam throught our group of six and left after about 20 seconds. It is very common in Negril to see dolphins during a dive. The week before I was there one group was approached by six of them. This makes diving Negril worthwhile. I saw turtles, nurse sharks, snappers, a couple of rays, and more of the usual stuff. The best reef was the one at the 'Deep Plane' site. The rest were somewhat worn and a little bleached out. I haven't been to Turks yet but from what I hear the diving would be better there. I spent a week in Curacao in March - much better diving because the reefs were beautiful - but the actual amount of sealife wasn't much different than Jamaica. One point that should be made is that the diving in Negril is the BEST in Jamaica. Don't end up in Montego Bay or Ochos Rios - just my opinion based on checking it out before I went and speaking to other divers while there.

 

[NCBabs]

as an agent i hate to say it but yes the beaches resorts do that, over book, it has happened to me regardless. For T&C i'd go to Grand Turk for the diving, straight off the wall unlimited shore diving but not your 5 star luxury resort but good, try the Bohio Resort Bohio Resort - Grand Turk Diving Resort - Diving Hotel in Caribbean - Bohio Dive Resort they are offering free breakfast and lunch daily a savings of $161 7 night stay pp......

All depends on what you want, be glad to help just PM me..............

 

[Belmont]

Never had problems with Sandals. Their diving department is top notch.
I saw a group of dolphins in Negril last new Xmas, three mothers and their babies plus two males...I think, big ones.

I have also done about 15 dives in Montego Bay at Sandals Royal Carribean. When the dive masters see you are a competent diver they take you to nice sites, if you end up with a bad bunch of divers you will probably be taken to a run down part of the reef.

I was told to stay away from Beaches because that some kids are left loose and that can make your stay less enjoyable. I also wonder if the second dive of the day could be limited by the presence of kids doing their intro to diving.

For a change, at the end of may, I am going to Club Med in Columbus Isle, Bahamas.

I'll let you know how it was.

 

[NCBabs]

I love both Beaches and Sandals, no matter where i ended up but just letting you know that does happen :10: not that it will but keep in mind it can, but they will take care of you either way.

 

[gypsyjim]

We stayed several times at T&C Beaches, and I did a lot of diving. Saw turtles and large rays off the wall out in the blue. Out of at least three trips to this resort I had only one really so so dive trip, and that was weather related. As I am always out diving every day, and away snorkeling when not diving, the fact that the resort caters to families with children had not effect on my enjoyment at all. If on the other hand you do bring kids of your own, there is a lot for them to do while you go diving. Can be a big plus for the diving family guy!
Have not dived Jamaica, so can't offer a comparison.

 

[Revid1]

My wife and I would also like to go to Provo to dive. Never thought about Negril. However, I've dove Grand Turk and it's one of my favorite dive destinations in the Caribbean. The coral is pristine, but not much to do topside and the places to stay a little rustic.