traveltina once bubbled...
My husband and I honeymooned in Jamaica in August of 2000.
We spent a week at Grand Lido San Souci in Ocho Rios, and a week at Grand Lido Negril.
Although my husband was certified in 95, I received my certification right before our trip. Looking back now, I think Jamaica is a great place for beginners.
Our resort also offered the resort divers course. The new divers did a couple of open water dives before they were allowed to go out on the boat with other certified divers, so it wasnt unbearable. However, even being a beginner myself, I felt limited. I received my advanced training while I was there, but the only dive I did below 60 was a special trip just for me to do my deep dive in the advanced program. Back then we didnt really care much about being limited because I was a newbie myself. If we were to go back now I might think about doing a few dives with a local dive op. However, if you just keep a laid back attitude about it you will probably have just as much fun with all the newbies, flailing arms, legs, and all!
Before our trip we heard from several divers that Jamaica diving wasnt any good. Not true! Sure its not Cozumel, but there are still some great sites. The wreck of the Kathryn is not far from San Souci. Its a 140-ft ex-mine sweeper. We saw a couple of huge southern stingrays on a night dive by her. Its a great place for a night dive, it sits in about 50 ft of water. I thought the diving in Ocho Rios was just as good as Negril.
We will definitely go back some day. San Souci is the most beautiful resort I have been to.
Have fun!!
