Scuba Certification at Couples Ocho Rios, Jamaica

This Scuba Certification Review is part of a Jamaica trip report including reviews of Jamaican all inclusive resorts, restaurant reviews, and things to do in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. Here are the prior posts:

For years now I've wanted to get PADI scuba certification, not so much because I'm keen on advanced diving, but more so that I don't have to keep repeating the “Discover Scuba” course everywhere. I want to spend more time on actual diving, preferably though still with local experts who can help me see more of the local marine life. Here's an eel that my instructor in Jamaica captured a video clip of:

The good news is that there's a shorter Scuba Diver certification available that, once completed, allows you to dive under the direct supervision of a PADI Divemaster, Assistant Instructor or Instructor to a maximum depth of 40 feet. For me, that's enough for now, and leaves open the opportunity to later do the Open Water Diver qualification.

While Jamaica isn't one of the top places in the world for scuba diving, it is a great place to get certified since it's more reasonably priced than some of the top diving locations. Here's the price list for Couples Ocho Rios:

And here's the dive shop, with one of my instructors:

Even if you don't plan to get certified, you can still do an intro to diving session at Couples Ocho Rios followed by a boat dive, assuming water and weather conditions are favorable. Note though that this is only offered during weekdays. Already certified divers are able to dive once a day, if water and weather cooperate.

If you do want to do the Scuba Diver certification, you'll need a couple days to complete the practical training, including:

Pre-qualification: swim 4 lengths of the Couples Ocho Rios main pool. You can do this in any stroke you like, although I recommend a nice easy stroke (not butterfly!) unless of course you swam competitvely
Watch an instructional video
Study the PADI textbook materials (or do the e-learning course) in preparation for the written test
Pool instruction (three sessions)
Instruction on setting up and testing your scuba diving equipment
Two open water training dives; here's a quick clip from one of mine:

The textbook learning is straightforward, so it shouldn't be a problem if you pay attention to what you read in the manual.

If you haven't been diving at all before, perhaps the most important thing to internalize and get comfortable with is to exhale with small bubbles, even if your regulator comes out–one of the worst things you can do is hold your breath and in a panic swim towards the surface of the water. But once you're at ease with that and have learned to equalize pressure in your ears and nasal passages, it's great fun to explore the underwater world.

On the open water dives, we had a short 5-8 minute boat ride to the Katherine Wreck. Here's a photo and short video of it:

While the marine life couldn't compare to what we saw off Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida, it was still fun to swim with schools of fishes and to learn some essential scuba skills, knowing that even this basic certification would enable me to spend more time on actual diving the next time I'm in a great place for diving.

If you've gotten PADI Scuba Diver or Open Water certification, what was your experience?

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