Dive Review of Beaches in
Jamaica/Negril

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Beaches: "Bleached coral, reef fishes are few at shallower depths", Oct, 2023, by Patrick J OBrien, IL, US ( 1 report). Report 12808.
Photos Submitted with this Report Click on an image to see an enlarged version and captions
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	I did ten dives with the Beaches resort. The staff is friendly and accommodating. They have two morning dives (early and late morning). The early is generally geared towards more advanced divers, but all experience levels are accommodated. The dive masters are knowledgeable and safety is their primary concern. If you don't mind a little hand holding, this is your resort. Being an older diver, I don't mind the attention, when you get underwater, you are free to do your own thing as long as you stay in the group. The coral was distressed at several of the shallower reefs (60 feet or shallower). I saw a lot of bleaching, where I had not noticed this on previous dives. Also, there were no large fish, mostly typical reef fish 6 inches or smaller. Conditions improved at deeper depths (up to 105 feet), the coral looked healthy and we saw some larger critters (especially lobster). Some folks who look for the micro stuff - were seemingly rather happy. An occasional ray or barracuda swam by. The resort and the locals are very aggressive in harvesting lion fish and few were noted (far fewer than in prior years, where I could harvest a dozen in a single dive). Speaking of lion fish, if you do decide to harvest some, the resort cooks are happy to prepare them to your choice of style. The last time I partook, I recall I had them sauteed in a garlic / wine sauce - delicious, but very rich and filling. All dives were boat dives. The boats are well maintained, clean and safe. If you don't mind a conservative dive operation that focuses on your safety (I demand this), these folks stand out. Every trip had a safety briefing and a site briefing. The Sandals / Beaches resorts are marketed as luxury resort and all my dives were included in the "fixed" price I paid for accommodations. The resorts typically have 8 - 12 restaurants (many themed - seafood, Peruvian, Mexican, Japanese, French Cafe, etc), the food quality is very good to excellent. All drinks are included (they carry Jameson at most resorts due to my insistence), but if you are not an Irish Whiskey drinker, they have most popular liquors, scotches, local beers, and a plethora of non-alcoholic drinks. The bar staff know their stuff and can make any mixed drink of your choice. The staff prides itself on being friendly and they are at your service. In a one week stay, I experienced only one less than excellent interaction with the staff. The Beaches are family, kid friendly. The Sandals are for couples. Access is through Sangster Airport in Montego Bay. The 1-hour trip to Negril is included in your hotel package in air conditioned busses or vans. Tipping is discouraged. Negril has a famous 7 mile beach, but be aware once you leave the property, you will most likely be accosted by various panhandlers offering a variety of services - some legit others not so much. I have not had any issues with involuntary theft, but the panhandlers will rob you blind if you choose to be. Otherwise the beach and area are safe since they depend on tourism and their reputation.
Websites	Beaches
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	101-250 dives
Where else diving	Negril, Jamaica
Closest Airport	Montego Bay	Getting There	American Airlines
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny	Seas	calm
Water Temp	85-87°F / 29-31°C	Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility	49-100 Ft/ 15-30 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	?
Enforced diving restrictions	[Unspecified]
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	no
What I Saw
Sharks	None	Mantas	1 or 2
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	1 or 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics	N/A
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities
UW Photo Comments	I bring my own gear and have no special needs for it. The resort uses standard North American electrical plugs, voltage and current. No transformers or special devices are needed to keep your equipment charged. I always travel with extra batteries for specialty equipment.

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Dive Review of Beaches in Jamaica/Negril

Beaches: "Bleached coral, reef fishes are few at shallower depths", Oct, 2023,

Photos Submitted with this Report

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Dive Review of Beaches in
Jamaica/Negril