Where is the best diving in Jamaica

[junior diver]

isn't hedonism the nudy beach/hotel

 

[crance]

Runaway Bay in my opinion is much better than Ocho Rios or Negril.

Which place has the best diving?
Negril, Montego Bay, or Ocho Rios. Trying to plan a trip to Jamaica and include diving of course :-D

:dazzler1:

 

[babiescatcher]

Hi my husband and I are going to Couples Swept Away in Negril this December. Has anyone had experiences with the dive shop there? What kind of dives do they take you on? I have PADI OW.

 

[outlawaggie]

Like was said earlier Jamaica IS NOT a dive destination. Good practice though as its included in the all-inclusive price. We stayed at Hedo III. I t was a great time but the diving was ho-hum. Very little coral and only a few fish. Did see a couple of nice wrecks. One boat and a small Cessna Plane.

 

[archman]

Ha ha, Jamaica is a good dive destination... for coral disease researchers and water quality specialists!

 

[nipi]

Best diving is at Port Antonio then Kingston. Negril, Mo Bay & Ocho Rios are very average.

 

[Scot M]

Ho boy, does this thread bring back memories! My wife and I spent a week at Sandals Negril last October. While we were there, we did a resort course and I made my first three dives. As others have said, it wasn't spectacular, but it was fun and the certified divers could go out twice a day without paying anything extra.

Other high points of the trip were the sailing (there's nothing like having a Sunfish, an open bay, and no schedule!), the open bars, and the absolutely incredible sunsets. *sigh*

 

[CaribQueen]

Diving in Jamacia? That's a joke. If you can find a fish bigger than 4 inches long, at any depth, I will eat my hat. The reefs have been dynamited and poisoned for "fishing" purposes to feed the island people. If you are serious about diving in the Caribbean...there are lots better places. If you have your little heart set on Jamacia and truly want to dive. Negril, hands down. If you are a serious diver...stay away from the all inclusives or you will get caught up with the resort course people. Believe me, I have tried, several times to find a descent dive site off Jamacia, but to no avail. Jamacia is a great island w/wonderful people and good food....but diving? I think NOT!

 

[Willar]

I my opinion CaribQueen is overly strong with words. I've talked with many experienced divers who dove Jamaica and found it great fun. I've seen many rays, turtles, morays, octos, squid, baracudas, sharks, etc. all of nice size. (Hmmm, didn't you hear - "size doesn't matter!" LOL!)

Each all-inclusive resort i've investigated had different itineraries/destinations for resort course vs. experienced divers. Sandals resorts and SuperClubs resorts have 3 different "dive levels" (30-40/50-60/90) so people can dive their experience level.

The Jamaican reefs have made a great comback from years ago, mostly due to several reef protection initiatives. I will agree that Jamaica is not the best diving destination in the Carib, but it is fun diving with good marine life. We've found the people to be very caring, and it's some of the most fun surface intervals around.

 

[CaribQueen]

Willar,

You were 4 years old the first time I dived Jamacia. Have some respect. At least we agree on topside Jamacia. You do reaize that each of us are entitled to our own opinion.