Shallow Plane - Negril

We love a good wreck at beginner depths, and Negril’s Shallow Plane delivers a proper little adventure. It’s a Cessna, resting upright on a sandy bottom at 12m, nose slightly down as if it just ran out of runway. The current description doesn't do justice to how thoroughly colonised it is; we’re talking thick growth here. The wings, fuselage, and tail are a tapestry of coral – Massive Starlet, Finger, and Lettuce corals are all over it. Swim around and through what’s left of the cabin. You’ll find French grunts schooling inside, sometimes a shy hogfish peeking out from under a wing. Look closely for juvenile snappers hiding in the nooks and crannies. The plane itself feels ancient, even if it’s not. Its metal skeleton is now home to countless tiny critters, and the way the light filters down through the shallow water, shimmering off the sand and the plane’s encrusted surfaces, makes it feel quite magical. It's a relaxed dive, usually with little to no current, so you can take your time exploring every angle. We’d suggest going in the morning; the light is best then and you often get it to yourselves. It’s perfect for new divers getting their first taste of wreck diving, or anyone who enjoys a leisurely poke around a unique, vibrant artificial reef.

Location: Negril, Jamaica, Caribbean
Coordinates: 18.285000, -78.360000
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 8-14m
Difficulty: Beginner

Marine Protected Area: Negril Marine Park

Best Time to Dive in Negril

The warmest water temperatures in Negril occur in January, averaging 27.5°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 27.5°C (air: 25.7°C)
February: 27.5°C (air: 25.5°C)
March: 27.5°C (air: 26.0°C)
April: 27.5°C (air: 26.7°C)
May: 27.5°C (air: 27.5°C)
June: 27.5°C (air: 27.9°C)
July: 27.5°C (air: 28.3°C)
August: 27.5°C (air: 28.4°C)
September: 27.5°C (air: 28.2°C)
October: 27.5°C (air: 27.5°C)
November: 27.5°C (air: 26.5°C)
December: 27.5°C (air: 26.1°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to Shallow Plane

Marine Life in Negril

Home to 211 recorded species including 178 reef fish, 19 hard corals, 3 sea urchins, 2 other, 2 jellyfish, 2 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
Lettuce Coral (Agaricia agaricites) - Hard Corals
Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
Finger Coral (Porites porites) - Hard Corals
Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) - Hard Corals
Greenblotch Parrotfish (Sparisoma atomarium) - Reef Fish
French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
Graysby (Cephalopholis cruentata) - Reef Fish
Sammy Johnson (Scarus taeniopterus) - Reef Fish
Angelfish (Holacanthus tricolor) - Reef Fish
Hogfish (Bodianus rufus) - Reef Fish
Butterfly (Chaetodon capistratus) - Reef Fish
Yellowtail Parrotfish (Sparisoma rubripinne) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for Shallow Plane

Based on average water temperature of 27.5°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories