Cave diving in Jamaica?

[Chunky]

Anyone know if there are any diveable caves in Jamaica?

Thanks!
Martin.

[FW]

There would almost have to be. There are "dry" caves there, and plenty of water :-D

I found a nice cave on Grand Cayman, by asking the local dive guides. One of them asked a taxi driver, and found an entrance. It isn't look like much, a small sink, with a pool about 10' across, and very tannic. It opened up into a nice, well decorated, cave. I was on a single 80, with no wetsuit, so I only went in abut 500'. Sadly that cave is now used as a septic tank.

The moral of the story is *go and look*. In 1985 I was told that someone had found *a* cavedive in Mexico. Now we know of hundreds. Nobody had ever looked before.

There are cave dives on several Bahamian islands, and Cuba. There are caves on Jamaica just waiting to be found.

[Arnold Mesiser]

Ask around on the CDG website as there "were" some Brit expeditions going on along with some Canadians but it was mostly dry caving.There certainly are many huge resurgences but whether they are diveable?? In the 60's and 70's a group of Canadians found a large amount of huge systems and to this day I believe new stuff pops up regularly. Jamaica is a literal swiss cheese situation so certainly you should be able to find something.If you are looking for something to dive over a holiday?? then you may be out of luck unless someone can pipe up and tell you otherwise.

I know I have seen many videos showing blue holes in rivers so maybe there is easier to get to stuff.


Maybe send a note here

http://www.jamaicancaves.org/fieldnotes.htm


I have seen pictures of Dornoch head and it a HUGE resurgence,the water was muddy like chocolate in the photos though.Maybe their are clearer times??


I see Members of the Alberta Speleological society have been there in the 80's and most likely more recent.Send them a note as well!

http://www.caving.ab.ca/

[Arnold Mesiser]

A quick search brought this site and some rather interesting looking spots.I am sure there is more than many people could search http://www.wra.gov.jm/

[Oister]

When I was there on vacation the DM on the boat told me they have laws about diving. Diving is only allowed with a guide, and no deco unless you’re a resident. I don’t know if this is true or not just what I heard. I know you could not rent tanks from anyone. Good Luck I hope you keep us posted.

[Brian Kakuk]

Try contacting Dr.Thomas Iliffe at Texas A&M University. I know he has conducted research expeditions to Jamaica specifically for cave adapted crustaceans.

iliffet@tamug.edu


Safe diving,
Brian

[Chunky]

Thanks everyone! Hopefully I'll get into a cave while there... I'll be on my honeymoon there later this year. I'm hoping I'll annoy her enough that she'll want me to go diving for a day or two and get out of her hair :)

[Oister]

Where in Jamaica are you going?

[Chunky]

Going to be staying in Negril at the Sandal's resort....

[Oister]

The Negril Scuba shop does some nice reef dives.