Scuba diving holidays in Negril, Jamaica

Jamaica may not be as popular for scuba diving as other Caribbean holiday destinations but there is an excellent variety of quality dive sites to explore here for every diving level. Some of the best spots can be found around the shores of Negril, located on the far western tip of the island. Boasting miles of powdery white sands, calm, clear waters, spectacular sunsets and an extremely laid-back holiday atmosphere, this town is considered one of the world's best beach destinations.

If you are booking a scuba diving holiday in Negril, you will want to discover what lies beneath its waters, however, and rest assured there are plenty of breathtaking sites to explore. Pristine coral reefs lie close to Negril's shores, whilst breathtaking caverns, walls and artificial reefs can be found in deeper waters. These beautiful diving spots are all inhabited by an abundance of tropical marine life, so both beginners and advanced divers can enjoy Negril's majestic underwater treasures.

One of the best and most popular dive sites in Negril is the Throne Room. This spectacular cave lies at a depth of 65 feet and can be accessed through a crack in the reef. The walls are adorned with colourful corals and tube sponges from floor to ceiling, and a wide array of marine life such as tropical fish, barracuda, snappers, lobsters, coral shrimps, turtles, dolphins and nurse sharks can be found here.

If you want to explore some of Negril's artificial reefs, it would be well worth visiting Deep Plane, a man-made site that lies in 90 feet of water. The wreck is covered in corals and inhabited by a plethora of sea creatures, and is ideal for advanced divers. Another deep site is the Tug Boat, which was sunk as an artificial reef in 1993 to support sea life such as barracuda, scrawled filefish and eagle rays, which often pass through this area. For beginners, Shallow Plane or Blue Castle Shipwreck are recommended as these wrecks lie in up to 60 feet of water.

Other sites worth exploring include numerous reefs such as Shark's Reef, Golden Gates, Coral Gardens and Fish Pond, and beautiful caves such as Frenchman Hole, Arches and The Caves. Each dive site has its own unique appeal. Dive centres in Negril will guide you to the most appropriate sites for your level of experience, but training is available from certified instructors if you want to gain further qualifications whilst you are there and enjoy as many diving adventures as possible.