Jamaica shines in each manner, however the true magic occurs simply beneath its turquoise waters. This island is a high choose for snorkeling, particularly round Montego Bay on the north coast, the place you’ll discover a number of the greatest snorkeling in Jamaica.
In the event you’re heading to Montego Bay to snorkel, you’re in for an actual deal with. From colourful reef websites near shore to catamaran journeys that take you farther out, the underwater views listed here are vigorous. That can assist you take advantage of it, we’re sharing every part you want to learn about snorkeling in Montego Bay —what gear to convey, the place to go, when to snorkel, and simply how deep to dive in.
Let the snorkeling journey start.
Snorkeling situations in Jamaica
Montego Bay is a marvellous place to snorkel. Though snorkeling in Jamaica is nice 12 months spherical, some months stand out greater than others for being particularly good for snorkeling — like between March to Might.
Total, Jamaica maintains a sunny local weather with temperatures most frequently falling someplace between 73°F to 89°F so that you’ll undoubtedly discover a lot of nice days to go out on a snorkeling journey.
Visibility sensible, in the most effective climate situations you’re extra more likely to have unhindered views whereas snorkeling in Jamaica. To determine once you’ll be capable to discover the best Jamaica climate, scope our submit on the best time to visit Jamaica.
What are you able to count on to see snorkeling in Jamaica?
In Jamaica, dive sightings will largely rely upon the place you resolve to snorkel, and whether or not you’re snorkeling close to shore or round one of many deeper reefs.
Typically although, whereas snorkeling within the crystal clear waters of Jamaica you’ll be able to count on to see issues like sea urchins, angelfish, starfish, and parrotfish. Snorkelers may additionally see clown fish, large-eyed squirrelfish, dart fish, kingfish, jack, mackerel, whiting fish, tuna and infrequently turtles for the reason that northern shoreline is a nesting space.
Much less generally, you’ll be able to spot issues just like the four-eye butterflyfish and sharpnose puffers.
The extra colourful and floral coral that you could be see round Montego Bay will normally be of the gentle coral selection — this contains bubble coral. Comfortable coral can be set aside by the truth that this species normally presents as single, massive organisms, whereas arduous coral could also be noticed in massive teams. Exhausting coral like mind coral and elkhorn coral are generally noticed in Jamaica. Though these aren’t seen as usually, maintain looking out for sea followers, star coral, and torch coral.
Finest snorkeling spots close to Montego Bay
A few of the greatest snorkeling in Jamaica might be discovered at areas like Physician’s Cave Seaside, Montego Bay Marine Park, and another snorkeling hotspots which we’ll elaborate on later.
Physician’s Cave Seaside specifically is a well-liked one, and it falls into the protected class in Montego Bay. This standing helps protect the pure parts of this seashore together with the coral reefs. For this and causes to do with its laid again ambiance, Physician’s Cave Seaside is a favourite for guests and locals.
Different nice choices for snorkeling within the Montego Bay space embrace Cornwall Seaside. In the event you’re keen to enterprise out a bit additional for a daytrip, the waters at Seven Mile Beach and Bloody Bay are value exploring as effectively.
Beneath, we’ll discuss some extra about what divers love about every of those areas.
Physician’s Cave Seaside
8-minute drive from Sandals Montego Bay.
The very first thing you would possibly hear about Physician’s Cave Seaside is that there’s a therapeutic high quality to the waters. Whether or not or not there’s any fact to this lengthy standing legacy, this perception has hung round and it actually does add a self-care part to even probably the most informal dive there.
At Physician’s Cave Seaside you’ll discover protected coral reefs that may be simply accessed on foot. Guests love diving on this seashore as a result of the environmental rules actually have helped protect the great thing about the reefs right here.
It prices about $6 for adults and $3 for kids per day to go to Physician’s Cave Seaside. That payment contains entry to seashore bars, altering rooms and a spread of water sports activities, the latter at an extra value. Snorkeling gear as effectively will include a worth, all of which may up the price of your seashore day.
Insider tip: Getting set for an all-inclusive vacation in Jamaica with a lot of snorkeling? Sandals Resorts provides complimentary snorkeling journeys for all her company. The most effective half: company staying at Sandals Montego Bay and Sandals Royal Caribbean get entry to the facilities of each all-inclusive resorts. Take pleasure in meals, drinks and anytime snacks at a complete of 21 restaurants, an over-the-water bar, and a number of swim-up and seashore bars. Transportation between the 2 resorts is included and the resorts are situated on a 5-minute drive from one another!
Montego Bay Marine Park
12-minute drive from Sandals Montego Bay.
Picture credit score: Damsea/Shutterstock.com
Promising to be the spotlight of any Montego Bay trip, the Montego Bay Marine Park has a number of the greatest dive and snorkel websites in Jamaica. Established in 1991, that is Jamaica’s first marine park. Contained in the park you’ll discover 12 miles of shoreline, spectacular mangrove ecosystems, seagrass beds, and naturally, a lot of coral reefs. It is a protected space, which is nice information for the diving crowd. You’ll be capable to snorkel right here simply as a lot of the reefs are close to shore. Beneath the waves you’ll discover vibrant and wholesome coral reefs and thriving marine life a lot on account of strict environmental rules.
Picture credit score: Debbie Ann Powell/Shutterstock.com
Knowledgeable tip: Some excursions to the Montego Bay Marine Park embrace stops at each the Marine Park and Margaritaville the place you’ll be capable to do some memento procuring and possibly even take a stroll alongside the close by “Hip Strip”.
Cornwall Seaside
7-minute drive from Sandals Montego Bay.
Cornwall Seaside isn’t too removed from Physician’s Cave Seaside and it’s a type of seashores which can be nice if you wish to snorkel close to the shore. The coral reefs listed here are on the shallow aspect making this an incredible dive location for snorkelers of all ages. You’ll must pay an entrance payment of about $5 to entry this seashore; a small payment that goes towards its upkeep that’ll completely be value it when you sink into the peaceable ambiance. On some days there are sundown watch events on this seashore with greater than sufficient rum to go round!
Bloody Bay
Day journey. 80-minute drive from Montego Bay.
Picture credit score: Br33/Shutterstock.com
Thought of a hidden gem by some, Bloody Bay is a cool choice if you happen to’re searching for a scenic and quiet location to loosen up beachside and get some snorkeling in. This seashore is subsequent to Seven Mile Seaside, and actually, three miles of Seven Mile Seaside prolong into Bloody Bay. Beneath the calm and clear waters right here you’ll discover a colourful reef which divers of all talent ranges can discover. You possibly can take a catamaran cruise into the deeper waters of this seashore to go snorkeling and as a part of that escapade, you’ll additionally be capable to scope caves within the space and even canoe into the Negril Nice Morass.
Seven Mile Seaside
Day journey. 90-minute drive from Montego Bay.
Image: Sandals Negril sits proper on Seven Mile Seaside, serving up gentle sands, calm seas, and pure island ease.
Seven Mile Seaside is excessive on the listing of must-visit seashores because it’s the best beach in Jamaica. It’s also fairly intensive, because the title suggests. Situated in Negril and simply round a 90-minute drive from Montego Bay, this seashore isn’t precisely across the nook, however effectively value a daytrip or a break up stick with Sandals Negril!
Snorkeling and water sports activities are a part of the attract of this strand. The water right here is calm and shallow, good for an informal swim with a Pina Colada in a single hand. Beginner snorkelers or these simply searching for a tranquil expertise recognize this as effectively. There are lots of all-inclusive resorts along Seven Mile Beach the place company can take pleasure in a world of high quality inclusions.
Do you know Seven Mile Seaside has a pirate wealthy historical past? Discover out extra in this article from Seashores detailing every part this beautiful seashore has to supply.
Take a catamaran to Jamaica’s most unusual snorkeling areas
Oh, the bliss and fantastic thing about the Caribbean Sea! So magnetizing is the ocean from this island vantage that whereas in Jamaica, you most likely received’t find a way to withstand exploring the island by way of catamaran. Why not incorporate snorkeling into your boating journey?
Getting aboard a catamaran for a snorkeling journey is an effective way to take pleasure in coastal views of Montego Bay in addition to scope the native reefs from a unique vantage. There’s loads of choices for catamaran snorkeling excursions in Montego Bay as lots of the attention-grabbing reefs on this space are additional out to sea.
Knowledgeable tip: Have a blast and guide the Reggae Catamaran and Snorkeling Cruise provided by Island Routes, which incorporates an open bar and professionals DJ onboard! If it’s your first time snorkeling our snorkeling tips for beginners will certainly turn out to be useful.
The fun of heading out on a catamaran to go snorkeling will probably be felt instantly with a glimpse on the coral and marine life you’re more likely to come throughout. In the event you choose catamaran snorkeling journeys and plan to do just a few of them whereas in Jamaica, all-inclusive resorts usually provide excursions proper by means of the resort.
The principle causes to exit on a catamaran snorkeling journey:
- There’s merely extra to see offshore.
- The view of Montego Bay from out on the water.
- Earlier than and after snorkeling you’ll take pleasure in some (reggae) music, drinks, and the corporate of the opposite vacationers.
- Anybody can come alongside and have a superb time, even if you happen to don’t like snorkeling.
A few of the greatest catamaran snorkeling excursions in Montego Bay finish at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville which is at all times a superb time. Excursions usually embrace transportation to and out of your resort!
Tools wanted for snorkeling excursions
The fundamental belongings you’ll want for snorkeling in Jamaica are a masks, snorkel, flippers, and a life jacket.
Multiply this stuff by the quantity of people that’ll be happening an tour with you and also you’ll know exactly what’s required earlier than diving in. After all, excursions will nearly at all times give you the tools, however high quality would possibly fluctuate. To be on the secure aspect, convey your personal masks and snorkel.
Wish to go by yourself snorkeling journey, proper from the seashore? In the event you’re planning to remain at an Sandals or Seashores all-inclusive property in Jamaica you received’t have to fret about packing any of this stuff or sourcing them once you get there. Each resorts present company with top-of-the-line kits each time they want them. These are at all times cleaned, sanitized and able to go ought to the urge to go snorkeling come up when you’re out on the seashore having fun with the easy pleasures of the Caribbean.
Insider tip: Need a actually personal and unique snorkeling expertise? Friends of Sandals Royal Caribbean can take a complimentary ferry to the resort’s personal island the place you’ll discover glorious snorkeling proper off the seashore!
Different water sports activities you’ll be able to look forward to finding in Montego Bay
In Jamaica there’s tons to do out and in of the water whether or not or not you resolve to go snorkeling. Well-liked water sports activities embrace water snowboarding, paddle boarding, windsurfing, tubing, and wakeboarding. All of that are offered and included for company staying at Sandals Montego Bay – at no cost. You possibly can even get on a glass backside boat to see marine life from a relaxed vantage, or head out on the hobie cats or aquatrikes.
If you wish to attempt one thing else within the dive realm, take into account signing up for a scuba diving tour or going snuba diving.
Insider tip: PADI® licensed company at Sandals Resorts in Jamaica scuba dive for free (max. two tanks a day). This contains skilled tools and dive instruction if wanted! Not licensed but? You will get PADI® licensed proper on property at any Sandals resort for an extra value.
Snorkeling is all a part of the enjoyable in Montego Bay
A trip in Jamaica isn’t full with out a little snorkeling. This island, particularly locations like Montego Bay, provides vibrant snorkel and dive spots, a few of which we’ve highlighted above. In the event you’re spending any time in Montego Bay, make sure you try just a few. They simply would possibly find yourself being probably the most memorable a part of your island escape!
Additionally learn: The 12 best beaches in Montego Bay
Image: After a day of snorkeling in Montego Bay, unwind with beachfront suites, walk-in swimming pools, and all of the perks of an all-inclusive keep at Sandals Montego Bay.
