Diving Jamaica

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Finn-fabulous

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I'm a new diver (open water cert) who will be attending a friend's destination wedding in Lucea, Jamaica (near Montago Bay) March 2014. Just returned from Bermuda, so I have done some tropical dives from a boat before and intend on logging a good number of dives between now and then. Anyone have some advice on appropriate but amazing dives to do or a great experience with a certain dive shop? Much appreciated!!!
 
I'm a new diver (open water cert) who will be attending a friend's destination wedding in Lucea, Jamaica (near Montago Bay) March 2014. Just returned from Bermuda, so I have done some tropical dives from a boat before and intend on logging a good number of dives between now and then. Anyone have some advice on appropriate but amazing dives to do or a great experience with a certain dive shop? Much appreciated!!!


It's been a few years since I was last in that area, but Lucea (pronounced 'Lucy') is actually closer to Negril that it is to Mobay. Lucea itself (ask about the town bell) is on a rather muddy bay, but as you drive in the direction on Negril you will very soon reach Cousins Cove, one of the best snorkeling locations, and Orange Bay, another nice little spot, especially if Andy Marr still runs things there. The Marr family has owned the huge estate there since the 18th Century. I knew Andy's father John, who was, before his death, a Jamaican Senator. Many deep and dark issues here, but not for me to describe.

Rhodes Hall Plantation (the tourist facility, not the estate) is the next spot you reach, and I know that it has its own Scuba diving connections. A few miles further and you are in Negril, once a wonder of the world that still has a few underwater charms left, a small shadow of what once was, but still better than anything you'll see in Mobay.

Finding dive operations all along this section of Jamaican beachfront will not be difficult. Most are hotel connected, but there are independent operations as well, not in the slightest hard to find. I can't make any recommendations at this point, since I've never dived with current operators.
 
We just got back from a week at Couples Negril, diving with Sundivers. By my estimation, you are at least 20 miles from Lucea to Sundivers' dive shop at the Travellers. They'd pick us up at our hotel, but that was only a couple of miles. You might contact them and see what you can arrange. We really enjoyed diving with them, especially Kurt and Police, the boat captain. Have to admit their shop is pretty rustic, but if you are diving in the area, they know where to go.
 
And if you have a chance to dive Orange Bay, I recommend it...off the beaten path from the majority of standard Negril dive spots.
 
I attended a wedding at Beaches, Ochos Rios, a couple weeks ago. Diving was advertised as part of all inclusive resort, so I gave it a try. Very disappointing! The big boat "is broken". (I note that there were indications the big boat is always broken.), the (little) boat used was awkward in every way, shabby and never intended as a dive boat. The dive staff was cheerful, but disorganized to a degree that was truly amazing - they even left without enough tanks for the divers aboard - even though they had repeatedly assured everyone they were taking care of all such details. But it was the "reef" that really disappointed. Covered with algae, mostly dead, almost no marine life to see. A sad, sad, view of what happens when overfishing and water pollution destroys a reef. The resort "dive team" was clearly only interested in selling instruction to new divers - and if the boat had been going farther than I could have swam back - I would have been worried about my safety. The "team" was scary sloppy in most things. Don't go here for diving. The wedding, on the other hand, went off relatively well.
 
I attended a wedding at Beaches, Ochos Rios, a couple weeks ago. Diving was advertised as part of all inclusive resort, so I gave it a try. Very disappointing! But it was the "reef" that really disappointed. Covered with algae, mostly dead, almost no marine life to see. A sad, sad, view of what happens when overfishing and water pollution destroys a reef.

I wouldn't discount all Jamaican diving with one sample of Ocho Rios. We've been to Negril three times and have enjoyed the diving each time. The reefs are very healthy, and although you will not see large fish, we were very pleased with the schools that we encountered, as well as the variety of crustaceans that seem to be thriving there.
 
Ocho Rios (proun. RYE-os) is not really a diving destination. In fact, it's good for nothing but touts and thieves who prey primarily on people ignorant enough to take a cruise ship that stops there and so dumb they actually get off the boat. I'm amused at the number of graduate students in the marine sciences who develop or support theories regarding reefs that are based almost entirely on Discovery Bay.
 
What resort are you staying at, they usually have shops on site. I've been to Ocho's Rios and Negril the diving was much better in Negril, but I didn't have the experience edbike had in Ochos Rios either. I went out with the Couples Swept Away crew in Negril, and Caribe Divers at RIU in Ocho's Rios, both crews were just as good or better than any I've dive with anywhere else. While you probably want see any big fish, it's very relaxing clear diving.

---------- Post added July 4th, 2013 at 12:15 PM ----------

Ocho Rios (proun. RYE-os) is not really a diving destination. In fact, it's good for nothing but touts and thieves who prey primarily on people ignorant enough to take a cruise ship that stops there and so dumb they actually get off the boat. I'm amused at the number of graduate students in the marine sciences who develop or support theories regarding reefs that are based almost entirely on Discovery Bay.

While I know everyone is entitled to their opinion, but why do we have to let everyone know when it has nothing to do OP's question.
 
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