Good dive sites in Fajardo, PR??

[femalediver]

Hello, I am hoping that I can get a really personalized answer if I can. I will be staying at the conquistador resort and it has been suggested that I should go to the marina to get advice on where I can dive, but if anyone knows where I can go to get a good experience where the instructors take their time and are good with new divers. This will be my second dive ever, so I,m still quite inexperienced. Also, does anyone know what I might expect to see? I would love to see a wide variety of marine life and not dive too deep to do it. Anything would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[Bhtmec2]

Hello from PR

Well there are a few good places to dive in that area. When are you coming down? The best diving is right now as the weather has made the big jump and the sea's are calmer right now.

I like to go to Lobos and dive at the many shallow sites around the key.

Here is a link to some of the locations. Sea Ventures Fajardo Dive Center List of Dive Sites

I do not use any of the dive centers there as I have a boat.

I prefer to go to Culebra or Veiques Islands to get the better dive sites on the east end of Puerto Rico.

Let me know if you have more questions. Hope your trip goes good. BT

 

[femalediver]

Thank you so much! I will be staying between April10-17 so, I will have time to visit a couple different sites while I am there. I hope the conditions will be good though, the last time I went diving in Mexico the visibility was only 15 feet and it was in April.

 

[Bhtmec2]

I am heading out to Fajardo in the morning for a few dives at Culebra. I will let you know how it was. April is usually a good month here.

 

[irmo]

Villa Del Mar is the dive shop associated with the Conquistador. I have not used them, but they seem to be a popular choice on this board. If you search on their name you can see what people thought of them. Generally positive I thought. I walked by and saw their boats over Christmas, they were pretty nice. I believe they go out to Culebra, which as suggested by Bhtmec2 is supposed to be great. I've snorkeled there, hope to dive soon.

Anyway, just tell the shop there your experience level and from what I've read, they'll take good care of you. I plan to dive with them next time I go to PR, which may be the end of April, so please post your experience!

 

[irmo]

Sorry, the dive shop is Casa Del Mar (Villa del Mar was a prador we stayed at in La Parguera).

Casa del Mar Scuba Puerto Rico | Scuba Diving Puerto Rico | Dive Puerto Rico | Casa del Mar Dive Center

 

[jlevine]

Femalediver, please post a trip report after you dive!

 

[femalediver]

Thank you everyone for your advice, and I will most certainly post a dive report!

 

[Bhtmec2]

Sorry for the delay..... Went to Culebra last Sunday........ We went with my local dive shop Ocean Sport from Isla Verde in San Juan. We departed from Fajardo on a 66ft motor cat (Club Aquatica). It is a spacious dive boat run by a very experienced Capitan and his extended family. I have used them many times and they are better than any other Dive Boat in Fajardo.

Went to Culebra. Dove 2 miles SE of the main harbor for the first dive. The reef was full for different marine life and we dove for around 1 hour at 86 feet. Lots of small and medium fish in this area. We were ready to kill any lion fish and could only find one small one. Took a lot of photos and returned to the boat. The crew provided fruit and sandwiches and drinks and we relaxed for a while and then moved to the west end of the island and crossed between a small island and anchored by a beach at the start of a marine preserve. Dove there to a depth of 26 feet and had the best dive of the day. We were in the richest reef that I have ever dove in this area. Full of plants, coral, marine wildlife and a few turtles. I had 68 min dive time and wished I had more. Took a lot of photos and returned to the boat. Relaxed on the boat and had more food and drink before departing back to Fajardo. Bottom line it was a great day diving in Culebra.

As far as diving with Casa Del Mar ......... They cater to tourist and run from my perspective cattle boats. They are over priced for me and you are rushed in and out...... Just my perspective....