brianstclair
Contributor
I just got back from a five night stay at Sandals Grande Ocho Rios, and I managed to get three dives in. I thought I'd post a quick report in case it helps someone out in the future.
As a quick overview, diving is included when you stay at Sandals. They have a "deep" dive at 9:00am and a shallow dive at 2:00pm. The diving at Ocho Rios was all off of a dive boat, and it was usually a five minute boat ride or so. The water was smooth as glass the whole time I was there. Giant stride off the back and two ladders to get back on. Nice big boats, and there were never more than six guests on the boat, so plenty of room.
The AM dive was the deep dive, 60-70 feet, and the PM dive was the shallow dive, 30-45 feet. There was a night dive available for an additional fee but I passed. All diving was on aluminum 80s, and fills were good (3300PSI). Gear was Scubapro I think, and also in very good shape. I brought a computer, mask, fins, and wetsuit (I think there was an additional charge to rent a wetsuit).
On all dives, everyone just followed the guide around. They won't let you go too far off on your own. On the deep dives, the guide started everyone up at 25 minutes on the dot. Total dive times on the deep dives were around 35 minutes. On the shallow dive I think we did 45 minutes. They checked pressures frequently, and we were told that 1000PSI was low-on-air and to let them know.
Overall, the reefs were nice with some good coral and "small stuff", but there were no fish to speak of. I was told that the reefs were pretty fished out. There were buoys for traps all over the place, and spearfishermen out every morning and evening.
It was nice to get some fun, short dives in. As others have said, not a destination for diving, but fun and quick if you're there for something else.
Brian
As a quick overview, diving is included when you stay at Sandals. They have a "deep" dive at 9:00am and a shallow dive at 2:00pm. The diving at Ocho Rios was all off of a dive boat, and it was usually a five minute boat ride or so. The water was smooth as glass the whole time I was there. Giant stride off the back and two ladders to get back on. Nice big boats, and there were never more than six guests on the boat, so plenty of room.
The AM dive was the deep dive, 60-70 feet, and the PM dive was the shallow dive, 30-45 feet. There was a night dive available for an additional fee but I passed. All diving was on aluminum 80s, and fills were good (3300PSI). Gear was Scubapro I think, and also in very good shape. I brought a computer, mask, fins, and wetsuit (I think there was an additional charge to rent a wetsuit).
On all dives, everyone just followed the guide around. They won't let you go too far off on your own. On the deep dives, the guide started everyone up at 25 minutes on the dot. Total dive times on the deep dives were around 35 minutes. On the shallow dive I think we did 45 minutes. They checked pressures frequently, and we were told that 1000PSI was low-on-air and to let them know.
Overall, the reefs were nice with some good coral and "small stuff", but there were no fish to speak of. I was told that the reefs were pretty fished out. There were buoys for traps all over the place, and spearfishermen out every morning and evening.
It was nice to get some fun, short dives in. As others have said, not a destination for diving, but fun and quick if you're there for something else.
Brian