Diving in Ocho Rios

Best Time to Dive in Ocho Rios

The warmest water temperatures in Ocho Rios occur in January, averaging 27.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

• January: 27.4°C (air: 24.7°C)
• February: 27.4°C (air: 24.6°C)
• March: 27.4°C (air: 25.1°C)
• April: 27.4°C (air: 25.9°C)
• May: 27.4°C (air: 27.0°C)
• June: 27.4°C (air: 27.6°C)
• July: 27.4°C (air: 28.0°C)
• August: 27.4°C (air: 28.1°C)
• September: 27.4°C (air: 27.9°C)
• October: 27.4°C (air: 27.1°C)
• November: 27.4°C (air: 26.0°C)
• December: 27.4°C (air: 25.1°C)

Marine Life in Ocho Rios

Home to 367 recorded species including 309 reef fish, 31 hard corals, 7 sharks & rays, 3 seagrass & algae, 3 sea urchins, 3 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Dive Site Difficulty in Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios has 1 beginner, 1 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Ocho Rios

Based on average water temperature of 27.4°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

Marine Protected Areas in Ocho Rios

• Ocho Rios Marine Park Protected Area - Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Montego Bay Marine Park - Marine Park (IUCN Category II)
• Bogue Islands Lagoon - Fish Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Negril Marine Park - Marine Park (IUCN Category II)
• Discovery Bay Fish - Fish Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Palisadoes- Port Royal Protected Area - Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Portland Bight Protected Area - Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Palisadoes- Port Royal - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Portland Bight Wetlands and Cays - Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site) (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Galleon Harbour - Fish Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Oracabessa Fish - Fish Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Three Bay Area - Fish Sanctuary (IUCN Category VI)
• Galleon - Black River - Fish Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Bluefields Bay - Fish Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Orange Bay - Fish Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Peak Bay - Forest Reserve (IUCN Category VI)
• Salt Harbour (revised) - Fish Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• The Fairy Hill - Port Antonio, Portland, Game Sanctuary - Game Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Black River Protected Area - Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Bogue Lagoon Creek, St. James, Game Sanctuary - Game Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Cabarita Point, St. Catherine, Game Sanctuary - Game Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Glistening Waters, Trelawny, Game Sanctuary - Game Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• Negril Environmental Protection Area - Environmental Protection (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• Ocho Rios Protected Area - Protected Area (IUCN Category Not Reported)
• The Amity Hall, St. Catherine, Game Sanctuary - Game Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• The Long Island, Clarendon, Game Sanctuary - Game Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
• West Harbour-Peake Bay, Clarendon, Game Sanctuary - Game Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)

Getting to Ocho Rios - Nearest Airports

• Tinson Pen Airport (KTP), Tinson Pen - 12 km away, approx 29 min travel time
• Norman Manley International Airport (KIN), Kingston - 16 km away, approx 32 min travel time
• Sangster International Airport (MBJ), Montego Bay - 132 km away, approx 159 min travel time