Best Dive Centers in Puerto Vallarta

[mickeyman]

I am planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta in April 2010 and want to get in a few days of diving in while I am there.
I would really appreciate everyone’s opinion and experiences that have done diving there. Also all the help you can give on what are some of the good centers and if there are some too defiantly to stay away from.

 

[bheide]

Ive only dove once in PV and used PV Scuba and I was impressed. They were very professional, small groups(1-captain 2-DM 5-divers), safety first, like new rentals. There maybe other good ops in PV area, but you cant go wrong with Puerto Vallarta Scuba Diving and Specialty Diving School: PVSCUBA

 

[tslane888]

I've been diving in PV a number of times -- most recently at the end of November. We had a private DM (had previously dove with Jean-Paul when he was with Pacific Scuba). We were on a small boat shared by small group of people from Banderas Scuba Republic and PV Scuba. My favorite dive in PV is Marietas Islands where there are a variety of spots to dive (nice wall, some swimthroughs, etc.), although it is a longer boat ride. It's always good to ask where the viz is best (north side, south side) since this seems to change quickly in the Bay. Have fun!

 

[Scuba Diver Mexico]

You can find images from this and previous years of diving the area here

Collection: Puerto Vallarta


April is when we have the coldest water in the bay but there are also a lot of small animals to photograph.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. July 2009 - Kevin Lee's Photos- powered by SmugMug




Happy diving

 

[mickeyman]

What is the average water temp during that time?
Also are dry suits available or should I count on bringing mine?

 

[Scuba Diver Mexico]

Temeperatures above the thermocline will typicaly be around 70 F that time of the year . The warmer layer can be 20-30 feet thick or a little more (varies a lot).

Under the thermocline temperatures can drop down to 60 F or the high 50s some times. This has been an El Niño year and the water has stayed warmer longer than normal. The phenomenon will change some time soon and the temps will start to nomalize.

If you own a dry suit do bring it down with 200 gram undergarments . You will enjoy your dives a lot more and will be able to stay longer under the thermocline, rentals are not availble at this time in the area but you can find DUI spare neck and wrist seals as well as steel tanks of different sizes.

Contact ali here at scubaboard, she has a lot of experience doing longer dives in the bay during cold water season.

Also stay tuned with the Puerto Vallarta dive report here at SB.

 

[Uncle Ernie]

I went with PV Scuba last week and had a very good experience with them. They provided a 7mm wetsuit (in good shape, I should say), weights and steel tanks, otherwise I used my gear.