ibj40:
Out of curiosity, what led you to choose Puerto Rico? Just diving, or other concerns?
Richard.
"Just got back from eight days in Puerto Rico,
four in Old San Juan, and the other four in Playa Santa, diving with
Island Scuba."
If you have never been to Old San Juan, which is one of the most unique cities in the world, then you have not traveled. The depth of the history, as it relates to the development of the Americas is amazing (notwithstanding the great restaurants and other features), and as an Architecture major in college, the city has an appeal to me that is undefinable. We went there six years ago, and it has been on our list of destinations to repeat ever since.
As to diving with Island Scuba out of Playa Santa, when we went to PR about six years ago, we dove two days out of Rincon (both sides of Desecheo) and one day in La Parguera on the wall (with West Divers). While we found Desecheo interesting, we were intrigued with the wall, and have been planning to go back and focus on diving there ever since.
Our research had shown that diving the wall was better served out of Playa Santa and using Island Scuba, and were were not disappointed. As I pointed out, two of our three days, we were the only two divers, and Island Scuba delivered both days (as opposed to other dive ops who will apparently cancel unless they have a full boat).
On our final day, we were joined by a private divemaster out of San Juan with three clients, but that didn't change a thing. Diving the wall was superior, and the shallow dive that day (as the others prior) was equal. Once I have a chance of downloading and editing the picture of my wife on the wall with a shark, I'll post it up, along with a variety of others.
In response to your question about "other concerns", the only one that comes to mind is: When can we get back?