Fajardo PR - Dive Ops

[crewchef]

I've done the search and read all the post and seems to be a lot of conflicting information on which dive operations are good or bad. My best guess, there has been some turn over in ownership/management at some of the local dive operations in or around Fajardo area. And yes I know the east side isn't the best option for pure diving but my non-diver spouse tolerated our children and I diving everday in Bonaire last year. So this year, she got to pick and we're probably only going to get a couple (maybe three ) dive days and the rest will be spent doing other things around Fajardo and old San Juan.

On to the questions, which dive shop in Fajardo is best to dive with? Nitrox available? Any specific sites we should request? If you have any recent experiences with one or more of the shops in Fajardo, please share, good, bad or otherwise.

Thanks!

 

[jlevine]

I have no experience with the Fajardo area, but in addition to whatever responses you get, I definitely suggest calling or e-mailing the shops directly with your questions. I believe Casa del Mar and SeaVentures are the main shops in Fajardo.

Keep us posted! Please write a trip report when you return!

jsl

 

[crewchef]

Ended up diving with Sea Venture. Only got one day in, weather didn't cooperate with rain and thunderstorms washing out much of the week. I would recommend Sea Ventures to anyone diving the east coast of PR. Boat had good layout with plenty of room. It was a bit slow but not too far to go so wasn't much of a factor. Captain and crew were friendly and did good job with site briefings. Pleasantly surprised with dive sites (and vis, remember the earlier rain comment). Reef was in good shape with some very nice and large soft corals. Some really nice sea fans. Saw spotted eagle rays, green and hawksbill turtles, lobsters, small shrimp, crabs variety of fish. Number of fish seen was minimal with no large fish. Heavy fishing is evidently taking it's toll on fish populations in area.

Wish we would have had more time in the water but enjoyed the two dives we got in. Sea Ventures was good operation and would dive with them again .

Now to start planning the Bonaire trip . Better half did discover scuba today, told her there's no better place for check out dives.

 

[irmo]

Thanks for posting the update!

 

[Bearkeley]

Just for others interested in Fajardo diving....seriously consider a day trip to Culebra (at a minimum). With limited time, however, taking the ferry is an option....dive ops (there are 2) will pick you up at the ferry dock...non-divers can take a shuttle to Flamenco Beach (one of the world's top beaches).

Culebra diving is mostly shallow with a handful of deeper dives, but the visibility is amazing, so more bottom time is a plus! Of course Desecheo on the West Side is clearer but Fajardo doesn't compare to Culebra's visibility.