Jamaica Travel Guide

Tips for Divers at an All Inclusive

A couple notes for certified divers at Sandals & Beaches properties:

1)if you answer yes to any of the medical questions you will need to have your doctor fax the dive shop a signed note saying you are fit to dive before they will let you check-out. Come prepared. It’s much easier to bring the doctor’s note with you than to try and get a hold of your doctor once you’re there.

2)The check out is really easy. You just need to assemble your gear, fill and clear your mask, do a reg retrieval and the go to the deep end of the scuba pool and get neutrally buoyant.

3)If you haven’t been diving for over two years they have a refresher course. One guy I met hadn’t been diving in 9 years. He took the course and was on the boat that afternoon.

4)They offer 2-3 dives daily for certified divers. You are allowed to dive as soon as you finish the check-out. The first dive is at 9 am. It’s a deep dive (75 to 90 feet). On Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Friday’s it’s a two tank dive – every other day it’s a single tank dive. There is also a 2 pm single tank, shallow dive (35 to 40 feet) everyday.

5)They offer night dives for a fee. The minimum is four divers. If you’re interested in a night dive tell them at the dive shop and they will keep you in mind until they can assemble enough divers.

6)They don’t decide which site they will dive each day until they are on the boat that morning.

7)Since the dive shop moved to BGS they no longer allow certified divers and non-certified divers dive together. If your partner isn’t certified and you are and you want to dive together don’t tell them that you are certified and go through the resort course with your partner. Later in the week if you want to do a certified dive you can always present your c card then.

Equipment: It's not necessary to bring any of your own equipment - just your C Card and if you want to get the dives logged don't forget your log book. If you want to snorkel on your own bring your own mask. You can't borrow a mask, snorkel and fins unless you go on one of their organized snorkel trips or dives.