Devil's Reef

Best months: Jan–Mar

Protected Area

Ocho Rios Protected Area

Why dive here

With 361+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, bull sharks, eagle rays, nurse sharks and seahorses - Devil's Reef offers some of Ocho Rios's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-31°C, warmest August, September, October.

Best timeJan–Mar

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Bull Sharks, Eagle Rays, Nurse Sharks and Seahorses · 361+ species recorded

Water27-31°C · warmest August, September, October

CharacterReef dive · max 10-25m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Devil's Reef often gets overlooked for some of the flashier sites, but for us, it's a quiet standout near Ocho Rios. We love its gentle slope from 10m down to 25m, perfect for an extended intermediate dive without feeling rushed. Keep your eyes peeled in those overhangs – we've often spotted yellow stingrays tucked away, and the occasional moray eel peeking out. The visibility here, typically 20m plus, lets you really appreciate the big, sprawling colonies of massive starlet coral, and the intricate patterns of lettuce coral blanketing the reef. It’s an excellent site for macro enthusiasts, too. We’ve spent whole safety stops just watching mimic blennies darting around, and trying to spot the tiny dwarf gobies and Papillate clingfish on the coral heads. We always recommend an early morning dive here before the boat traffic picks up; it feels like you have the whole reef to yourself. For divers who prefer a relaxed pace and a chance to really observe the smaller, often-missed residents, Devil’s Reef is our pick.