Best Dives Of Jamaica

Jamaica's first tourists arrived in the late 1800s by banana boat, the result of a brainstorm by New England sea captain Lorenzo Down Baker, who fell in love with this mountainous island of delights. By the turn of the century banana exports had grown and Jamaica had become one of the trendiest vacation spots in the world. Today most tourists arrive by jet and cruise ship. In all, 1.3 million tourists -arrive each year to experience Jamaica's watersports, mountain vistas, night life and duty-free shopping. At 4,411 square miles, it is the third-largest island in the Caribbean after Cuba and Hispaniola. Geographically, it is a cornucopia of scenic wonders. Miles of soft sand beaches and lush greenery line the coasts, and high mountains loom inland. Overall, the terrain is very mountainous, with half of the land -rising above 1,000 feet. The highest point, Blue Mountain Peak, soars to 7,402 feet. - higher than any other peak in the eastern half of North America. Hundreds of wild rivers and plunging waterfalls crisscross the mountains and moisten the fertile valleys, which produce some of the world's best coffee, fruits, flowers and vegetables. The flatter southern coast can look like the African savanna or the Indian plains and has alternating black and white sand beaches as well as -mineral springs. Offshore reef tracts provide a bounty of dive and snorkeling sites. Many are a short swim from the beach. Wall dives predominate as Jamaica's north stretch of reef edges the Great Cayman Trench. A ledge of shallow reefs stretches around the island's perimeter. Depths range from extreme shallows to awesome depths. Based on the classic, Best Dives of the Caribbean, this guide zeroes in on the best dives of Jamaica. It includes the latest and best dive and snorkel sites, each rated for visual excellence and marine life. The author's knowledge of the Caribbean sites is unparalleled. From sunken planes and snorkel trails to blue holes, the best destinations beneath the waves are covered. Also included are places to stay and eat, activities and practical information for visitors. "I have bought both editions of this book, mostly because the first edition got so dog-eared that I wanted a clean one for vacation last year. The book is a marvelous source of information for both the snorkeler and the diver. The authors divide the book into chapters on individual islands, starting out with a brief but interesting history of the island, a topographical description, relative location map, best time to go, weather, and proximity to other islands. They then rate the island's diving locations, awarding from 1 to 5 stars, and provide another larger map visually locating the sites. Each site is described in detail, with info on depth, sea life, currents, visibility, photo ops and difficulty level. As if that weren't enough, they include some (but not enough!) beautiful photos, and end each chapter with yet more info on dive operators (detailed), beaches, other activities, dining, accommodations (with rates, addresses and phone numbers), medical facilities, documentation requirements, currency, driving, local customs, departure taxes, etc. I've been exploring the Caribbean for almost a decade now; I take this compact book with me everywhere. My only complaint: I wish they covered more islands!" -- (Suziekew) "Best Dives of the Caribbean is packed full of dive-vacation planning information. It tells what time of year to go, the most popular dive sites with details on what to expect, depths, average sea conditions-- I get seasick if it's rough and prefer diving where the sites are ten minutes or less by boat, or better yet accessible from the beach. Indeed, some of the other one-destination guides are more suitable for the coffee table, but they don't tell me anything about the dive resorts, the $$ cost. I would not consider planning a dive-vacation to the Caribbean without consulting this gem of a travel guide." -- Amazon reviewer

Annotation Includes the latest and best dive and snorkel sites, each rated for visual excellence and marine life. The author's knowledge of the Caribbean sites is unparalleled. From sunken planes and snorkel trails to blue holes, the best destinations beneath the waves are covered. Covers Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, the US and British Virgin Islands, the Caymans, Curaȧo, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Vincent I take this compact book with me everywhere. My only complaint: I wish they covered more islands! -- (Suziekew). The new, 2006, third edition of Best Dives of the Caribbean is packed full of dive-vacation planning information. It tells what time of year to go, the most popular dive sites with details on what to expect, depths, average sea conditions-- I get seasick if it's rough and prefer diving where the sites are ten minutes or less by boat, or better yet accessible from the beach. Inde.

Fish & Dive the Caribbean is required reading for fishing and diving enthusiasts who want to know the best times, the best areas, and the most cost-effective means to enjoy the islands. Get inside tips on the most productive fishing grounds and the most beautiful diving spots in the Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cancun, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Jamaica, Turks and Caicos, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The new guide of Jaimaica, updated, rich in images and useful information to those who will visit this wonderful place. You will be discover throught our book a "land of wood and water", one of the most extraordinary natural paradise in the caribbean where everything is sun, colour, music and culture.

Provides details for diving and snorkelling in Jamaica, including: depth and visiblity at each site; required expertise; bottom terrain; currents; marine life; safety tips; history, geography and climate; local dive shops and charters; and currency and topside landmarks.

The extravagantly beautiful island of Jamaica has it all. From the creative and rhythmic culture to the abundant and colorful vegetation, this island exudes vibrancy. Footprint Focus provides invaluable information on transport, accommodation, eating and entertainment to ensure that your trip includes the best of this spectacular island. • Essentials section with useful advice on getting to and around Jamaica. • Comprehensive, up-to-date listings of where to eat, sleep and play. • Includes information on tour operators and activities, from the tranquillity of the Blue Mountains to exploring lively Kingston. • Detailed maps for Jamaica and its key destinations. • Slim enough to fit in your pocket. With detailed information on all the main sights, plus many lesser-known attractions, Footprint Focus Jamaica provides concise and comprehensive coverage of one of the Caribbean’s most lively islands.

We were enjoying a Jamaican meal at Verney''s Tropical Resort, a small inn perched in the hills over Montego Bay. This was a true Jamaican feast - not a watered-down tourist version - served with real Jamaican hospitality. It''s that opportunity to meet local residents, taste island dishes and retreat from the typical resort experience that brings travelers to the small inns, many in Montego Bay. While this bayside city is home to some of the Caribbean''s most lavish resorts, places where you can lose yourself in all-inclusive luxury and around-the-clock activities, you''ll also find plenty of opportunities to meet local people and learn more about the local culture in this thriving city. Montego Bay is more than just a tourist hub, however; it''s also a real city with a long-standing history. Columbus visited in May 1494 and named Montego Bay El Golfo de Buen Tiempo, or Bay of Good Weather. In 1510 the Spanish started to settle here. Using the bay as a shipping point for hogs, they began to call this site Bahia de Mantega, a name derived from the Spanish word for lard, which was one of the top products. In 1655 the British occupied Jamaica and the parish of St. James was founded soon after. Montego Bay became the capital of the parish and for many years was a tax-free haven. Surrounded by sugarcane plantations, the area became the home of many wealthy English planters. If you know just one Jamaica destination, it is probably Montego Bay, often just Mo Bay. Located on the north coast, this is the capital of the tourism industry and the second-largest community outside of Kingston. For most travelers, this is the starting point - thanks to the Donald Sangster International Airport - as well as the island''s busiest cruise pier. Ocho Rios is the garden center of Jamaica and its lushest area is Dunn''s River Falls. This spectacular waterfall, the top attraction, is a series of falls that cascade from the mountains to the sea. Here, you don''t just view the falls, but actually climb up them. Led by a sure-footed Jamaican guide (who wears everyone''s cameras slung around his neck), groups work their way up the falls hand-in-hand like a human daisy chain. West of Ocho Rios in the town of Oracabessa, 007 fans can visit the James Bond Beach. Located near Ian Fleming''s former home, Goldeneye, the beach has plenty of options for a day of activity: Wave Runners, helicopter tours and horseback rides, as well as a beach bar and grill. The town of Ocho Rios, often known by the nickname Ochi, sits on the north coast. The main road, called the North Coast Highway or A3 along this stretch, slices through the city, following the coastline. (Dunn''s River Falls is on the western side of town.) This entire stretch of road is lined with stony bluffs. Between the hills and the sea there is just enough room for a road and a strip of beach. As you approach the city from the western end, driving from Montego Bay, you''ll first see the cruise ship terminal. From here, you''ll be moving into the town itself. The North Coast Highway becomes DaCosta Drive; off that and parallel runs Main Street, where many of the shops and the crafts market are located. The main road continues east through town toward the large resorts, most of which lie east of the city. This travel guide walks with the adventurous traveler to the heart of Jamaica, to the miles of sand beaches, to the rugged Blue Mountains, to the country villages that provide a peek at the real Jamaica. The authors focus on the adventures this popular Caribbean island has to offer: scuba diving along coral reefs, biking mountain trails, deep sea fishing, parasailing, windsurfing, horseback riding, and other adventures that range from mild to wild. Special sections include a look at Jamaica''s Meet the People program, home visits, local nightspots, festivals, and more. Maps and photos enliven the down-to-earth text.