Going to Puerto Rico tomorrow 10/27/12. Looking for dive ops near Airport?

[mikebyron]

We will be staying at the Intercontinental in San Juan which is close to the airport area. Do dive ops operate out of that hotel or nearby? Will I need a car to get to where I need to be? Who do you recommend given the location of our hotel?

 

[DRsharky]

Not sure how the diving will be for the next few days, here in Dominican republic is all closed for diving (and all water activities) and will be at least till Monday due to bad conditions caused by hurricane Sandy. Stay safe!

 

[diversteve]

I've been to the Intercontinental on a day layover. There is a shallow dive off Condado Beach nearby but it's shallow and poor vis - we didn't try it.

Metropolitan San Juan: This easy beach dive off the Condado district in San Juan is not as spectacular as other dives mentioned here, but it's certainly more convenient. Lava reefs sculptured with caverns, tunnels, and overhangs provide hiding areas for schools of snapper, grunts, and copper sweepers. In the active breeding grounds of the inner and outer reefs, divers of all levels can mingle with an impressive array of small tropical fish -- French angels, jacks, bluehead wrasse, butterfly fish, sergeant majors, and more -- along with sea horses, arrow crabs, coral shrimp, octopuses, batfish, and flying gurnards. Visibility is about 10 to 20 feet (3-6m). The Condado reef is also ideal for resort courses, certification courses, and night dives.

Read more: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/puertorico/0094027716.html#ixzz2ASlc8i6u

Maybe contact these people also: http://www.aquaadventurepr.com/scuba diving.html

Better diving is off the east (Mona Island) south (La Parguera) or west/southwest coasts (Fajardo). IDK if you can get to any of them on a day trip.

---------- Post Merged on October 27th, 2012 at 01:04 PM ---------- Previous Post was on October 26th, 2012 at 07:31 PM ----------

Just saw this also: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/introductions-greets/437616-lookin-dive-san-juan.html#post6529243

 

[jlevine]

Diving around San Juan itself is not very good from what I've been told. I think Fajardo will be your best bet. Fajardo is about 1-1.5 hours east of San Juan (lots of traffic lights). Sea Ventures out of Fajardo and Humacao (south east) says they offer transportation from San Juan (http://www.divepuertorico.com). I have used Casa del Mar in Fajardo but I don't know if they offer transportation from San Juan. Mona Island is west of the island and takes several hours by boat to get to. La Parguera is on the southwest side of the island, about a 2-2.5 hour drive from San Juan. I have been going there for several years. You would definitely need a car. Taino Divers in Rincon is about 2-3 hours west/southwest San Juan.

 

[jpomerantz]

So if we were going to PR would staying not in San Juan but somewhere else be better? I dive - wife does not so need to be sure there are things for her too.

 

[jlevine]

Jpomerantz, can you say a little more about your trip? That will influence the answers.

How many days will you be in Puerto Rico? How many days do you want to dive? What kinds of things does your wife like doing? There are lots of things to do in PR and great places to visit but the options vary depending on whether you are coming for a day or two as part of a cruise versus staying a week or two. There's a lot of good PR discussion threads from those who have visited this beautiful island. Just give us a little more info!