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Aerial view of a turquoise bay with patches of shallow reef, ringed by green forest and a coastal road lined with houses — Port Antonio

Port Antonio · Jamaica · Reef

Alligator Long

A narrow coral ridge lined with azure vase sponges and sea fans

Area photo: Layneartz19 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Alligator Long is one of the most visited dive sites east of Port Antonio, a narrow coral ridge on the Alligator Reef system. Sea fans, azure vase sponges, soft gorgonians and coral heads line the ridge, and stronger currents can shape the dive.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Alligator Long: typical dive 24–27 m (80–90 ft), deepest point 30 m (100 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit24 m27 m30 m maxtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

No published position for this site — the map shows Port Antonio and its other sites; operators know the mooring.

The dive

Divers follow a narrow coral ridge that rises 9 m (30 ft) off the bottom, staying between 24 and 27 m (80 to 90 ft). The ridge is peppered with sea fans, azure vase sponges, soft gorgonians and many coral heads.

Marine life and season

The sources we used don't single out particular species here.

Month-by-month season rating for Alligator Long
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FairGoodGoodGoodFairFairFairFairFairFairFairFair

Season follows Port Antonio: February to April is the drier stretch in Port Antonio, though no month is truly dry and rain tops 60 mm (2.4 in) in all 12.

Know before you go

  • Depth and stronger currents can make this a shorter, more energetic dive than the shallower reefs.

Sources

  1. Dive sites – Lady G'Diver Boutique Dive Centre — Lady G'Diver Boutique Dive Centre
  2. Active Pursuits in Port Antonio — Frommer's

More dive sites in Port Antonio

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Claudia Comte's cactus sculptures leading to a drop-off

10–30 mintermediate

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Pinnacle

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A coral pinnacle that changes shape with every level circled

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Wreck

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The Crack

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