Jamaqua Dive Centre, Jamaica Scuba Diving

Jamaqua Dive Centre is dedicated to promoting not only scuba diving, but all of the beautiful and exciting things Jamaica and its people have to offer. We work very closely with the Jamaica Association of Dive Operators (JADO) and the Jamaica Tourist Board to improve our product and to find betters ways of getting this information to you.

Jamaica has so much to offer above and beyond scuba diving; things the entire family can enjoy together and hold in their memories for a lifetime. Read the following letter from one family that just loved their recent dive vacation to Jamaica and Jamaqua. Then check-out the Jamaica Tourist Board web site and find out more about all of the exciting things you can do on this 'Island in the Sun'. Come to Jamaica and feel alright!

Dear Jamaqua Dive Centre,

How much is there to do in Jamaica, after diving? Thanks to your web site and the Jamaica Tourist Board's, we now know. I thank you. My husband, Roy, thanks you. And my children, Billy and Annie....well, you know how kids are.

Anyway, I'm sending you a diary of our trip. It includes all of the exciting and interesting things we experienced while in Jamaica. And we did most of these things after our two morning dives. Other visitors may enjoy it.

Thanks again,

Ima Joken

Sat

Sun

we arrived in Jamaica. Checked into our beautiful beachside resort. I looked around and Billy was gone. Before we got to the room, he showed up, wet and naked. The bellman laughed. "No clothes, no problem," he said. "Get a good tan." I shot Billy a look that made his tan disappear really quick. "You don't go swimming without telling me," I told him. "Yeh-mon," he said. Where did he get that from? We then went down to Jamaqua Dive Centre, located on the property, to get all set up for tomorrows first dive. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. Can't wait 'til tomorrow. Climbed into a hammock and took a long deserved nap on the beach.

We started the day by preparing for the 9:00 am dive. We setup our dive gear and before we knew it, the gear was loaded onto the boat. We boarded and headed out to the dive site; early I might add. We went to 'Rudy's Island'. What a spectacular wall dive. I never thought the diving would be this good. They have everything that all of the big dive destinations have. Wow! After the dive we were served fresh fruit on the boat. Boy did that hit the spot. Once ashore the Jamaqua staff took over. Unloaded our gear, stripped it down, rinsed it all off in fresh water, then prepared it for the 11:00 am dive. Great service. I love this. The 11:00 am dive went as well as the 9:00 am. Great dive site. A beautiful shallow water garden. Could have spent eternity there. After lunch, dare-devil Roy went parasailing. We watched from shore as he was hooked between parachute and boat. Then up, up and away he went. His swimsuit was hanging loose, and down, down it went. Ha ha ha ha...Roy is not talking too much this afternoon. Later, went on a sunset sailing cruise.

Another morning of magnificant diving. First, we got "The Benz", and it felt good. We each flew a sunken airplane. Then we checked out 'High Rock'. After lunch, Roy and Billy played golf at the SuperClubs Golf & Country Club, which is only 5 minutes away. Roy still hasn't broken a hundred. But at least he didn't break anything else, or lose anything like yesterday. Billy got to drive the golf cart and thought he was Mario Andretti for a day. They had a great time. Annie and I went to the beach. We each got ourselves a lounge chair, soaked each other with suntan lotion, did a little bit of reading, played backgammon, and had a nap.

We took a day off from diving. We rented a car. First stop Mandeville. "Drive on the left, Roy!!" How many times did I have to scream that in the first few minutes on the road? He finally got the hang of it. "Hey Dad, can I drive for a while?" Billy asked. "Roy! Look out for the cow!" On the way to Mandeville, we passed through a small town. A sign on a little building said, "Curried Goat Joint". "What's a goat joint?" Annie asked. "A restaurant that serves goat". Up ahead, walking toward the joint, was a goat. Annie leaned her head out the window and yelled: "Run Mr. Goat! Run for your life!" Mandeville is beautiful. Mountainous, cool. Annie and I toured a coffee factory. The boys went for a hike.

Drove to the Blue Mountains. Beautiful! Stopped high in the peaks and drank some coffee in the mist. Billy disappeared. We found him back up the road, throwing rocks down the mountain. He was standing next to a steep slope. Billy threw his hands up and screamed, "Look Ma, no hands!" I'm going diving tomorrow. Need some peace and quiet. Next stop Kingston. We toured the Bob Marley Museum. Back in the car, Roy and Billy sang (badly) harmony all the way home. Annie said. "Hey Billy, can you sing tenor?" "Sure I can," he said. "Good. Why don't you sing ten-or-fifteen miles from here." Made it home by sunset.

Again, all of our gear was setup and loaded on the boat before we arrived for the 9:00 am dive. Nice and relaxing. Let them do all of the work. We just want to get wet and enjoy our dive. And did we ever. We went to 'Pockets'. Saw schools of fish, plus hard and soft corals I never imagined. And I saw a huge spotted eagle ray. It was beautiful. Best dive yet. Spent the afternoon in Ocho Rios. We went to climb Dunn's River Falls. Roy kept calling it Doo's River Falls. I knew why and ignored him, but Annie took the bait. "Why do you call it Doo's, Daddy?" "Cause we ain't done it yet. It's Doo's 'til we does it, then it's Dunn's." Maybe I've known Roy too long. Seems like it. Later Billy and Roy went deep sea fishing. Annie and I hit the shops. Bought some jewelry and souvenirs. Met the boys back at the dock. "Look what I caught!" Billy yelled. "A marlin!" It was huge. "Did Dad help you?" "No way. Dad was too busy chumming over the side." Roy did look a little pale.

Did our last two dives this morning. The 'Canyon' was kind of imposing. But spectacular. A huge school of Bermuda Chubb never left our sight. We then checked out 'Spanish Anchor'. It too was huge. We could see the chain go all the way down the wall. Our last afternoon brought us to Rose Hall Great House. A huge mansion once owned by Annie Palmer, a wicked woman who murdered her three husbands. "The White Witch," the tour guide said. "Some think her ghost haunts the house." Spent the rest of the afternoon walking the beach with Roy. Billy and Annie went in the swimming pool. We put the kids to bed. Roy and I walked the beach again. The moon was full and it lit the sea in a dark shade of blue. A gentle breeze rustled the palms. We can't wait to come back to this 'Island in the Sun' and dive these fantastic waters with Jamaqua.

Runaway Bay boasts one of the finest golf courses in Jamaica. This beautiful par 72, 6870 yd. golf course overlooks the Caribbean and is a mere minutes from Jamaqua.

This magnificent property has a natural cove which is surrounded by 4 acres of lush tropical rain forest. Visitors can swim with the dolphins, have a dolphin encounter, touch the dolphins, and much more.

Chukka Cove, 15 minutes from Jamaqua, offers horseback riding along the beaches of the Caribbean and through two of the oldest sugar estates on the Island.

Ride 30-foot bamboo rafts on hour-long voyages down picturesque rivers - but hang on for the rapids! The Rio Grande and Martha Brae rivers are close by.

Jamaica is very well-known for its fantastic beaches. Take a day trip or an overnight trip out to Negril, home of the famous 8 mile beach. Just be careful of the sun. Your skin will burn quickly; make sure you wear sun protection.

Climb 600 feet up through cascading waters, much as the Spanish explorers did here centuries ago. Our most famous attraction, Dunn's River Falls in Ocho Rios, is not to be missed!