Scuba diving locations in Jamaica:

• The north coast at Negril and Montego Bay Area have most of the diving spots.Check out the Doctor's Cave Beach for super easy access.
• Port Royal is the 'City that Sank'. In 1692, an earthquake struck which caused two thirds of the city to sink into the sea. Pirates from around the world used to congregate at Port Royal, coming from as far away as Africa, so everal 17th century pirate ships rest at the bottom of the harbor.

When to scuba dive in Jamaica:

All year, due to the warm, 27°C, waters, but there is the risk of hurricanes between July and October.

Local standards for gear:

The best scuba diving spots in Jamaica:

• The Throne Room in Negril Orange Bay is a 40 foot-wide cavern. Entry is through a crack in the reef at about 40 feet. Huge yellow sponges and coral cover the wall from floor to ceiling.
• Widowmaker's Cave, Montego Bay Area, starts in about 35 feet of water and goes to about 80 feet. Access is at 80 feet and through a chimney 10 feet wide at about 35 feet.
• The Wreck Of The Kathryn near Ocho Rios is an old Second World War Canadian minesweeper. At 140 feet long, it sits in 50 feet of water, and has a wheel house accessible through an open top.

The best spots to snorkel in Jamaica:

• The Montego Bay Area has some of the best snorkeling, featuring The Doctor's Cave Reef, one of the most accessible spots, with crystal clear waters where warm mineral spring water meets the ocean.
• The waters surrounding Negril are shallow and clear.
  
• Ocho Rios has an abundance of marine life.

Fun scuba facts:

Widowmaker's Cave got its name from the cave in the novel "Go to the Widowmaker" by James Jones.

Country data:

Administrative details

• Currency: Jamaican dollar (JMD)
• Population: is about 2,000,000 (2010)
• Time Zone: (GMT-5)
• Main languages spoken: English, Jamaican patois ## Diveable overseas territories:

Jamaican diving federations:

Local diving laws and regulations (and PADI-equivalent certifications):

Diving in the city of Port Royal requires a diving permit which is generally obtainable from local dive centres.