Rose Hall Resort, Jamaica - Quality of Snorkeling?

[FishDad2]

My wife is trying to get me to spring for a trip to Rose Hall Resport in Jamaica...she has a friend that goes there regularly...apparently, they have money they don't know what to do with.

Anyway, if I'm paying that kind of money, I want to go someplace that has good snorkeling...very good snorkeling...the kind of snorkeling that will be appreciated by RC members, not "oh...I think I saw a fish."...or "Is that thing a coral?"

Is anyone familiar with this resort and the quality of their snorkeling? Or do I have to go elsewhere on the island...take day trips, etc.?

 

[snorvich]

Well it is not good snorkeling and certainly not very good snorkeling. Jamaica is basically overfished. But the resort is very nice. However if I were going to Jamaica and wanted a really nice resort I would probably go with Grand Lido.

 

[FishDad2]

I was afraid of that...oh well...already roped in though, as the wife had her heart set on it.

Hopefully there will be some decent day trips available...assuming I have any money left in the bank that is.

 

[FishDad2]

Just got back from the trip.

The resort was great...the family had lots of fun and the float-up bars had more Red Stripe than I could drink...I tried, but couldn't get to the bottom of the kegs.

Unfortunately, snorkeling was not very good...at least not what you could do without paying for a snorkel trip. I did go on a dive though...it wasn't spectacular but was nice, especially since it had been more years than I can remember since I last went diving.

Overall, I highly recommend Rose Hall for families looking to get away and relax, it was a great vacation for everyone and the level of service was outstanding, particularly at the price. Watch out though, the property was recently purchased by Luxury Resorts and they've begun to refurbish the place. When the work is complete, I expect the price to shoot up...so go now if you're thinking about a family getaway to the Caribbean.

On the negative side, particularly for us fish people, I have to give it a big thumbs down for snorkeling. What’s available off the beach is very limited and if there’s much wave action you can’t get to it at all.

I will say though that the folks at the dive center are really nice and the dive was fun...damn there was there a lot of brain coral down there!! They also let my son tag along and join the snorkel group that went out on the boat at no charge...everyone else was paying $45. So, I got to dive and my son went snorkeling for the cost of only the dive.

 

[snorvich]

Yes, it is a pretty good resort and I would not hesitate to recommend it, just not for diving or snorkeling.