Info on Puerto Vallarta

[mike0479]

hi, I was thinking baout going to Puerto Valarta with the wife and another couple are going to be tagging along. Im looking for a good place in Mexico where fishing will be the number 1 priority and diving being the no 2. Does anyone have any good info about where to go and stay? It doesnt have to be in P.V. im just looking for some info right now. This trip would be in the beginning of this coming June.
thanks

 

[mike0479]

Has anyone done any diving there? I see there are several options for dive companies to go out of. Anyone have any experience with any of them? Dive site reccomendations? Any helpful info?

 

[1maddog]

My wife and I did some diving in PV in November. We set up with Leslie at Puerto Vallarta Divers http://www.puertovallartadivers.com/ for a customized dive. She is extremely flexible in setting up just what you want (locations, etc.) and is an absolute gem in the water. My wife was apprehensive about ocean diving and Leslie was superb in helping her cope. Not the fanciest and a smaller boat but highly competent and an absolute joy to work with.

 

[Earl Grey]

I have been diving in PV a number of times and will be back later this month. For what it is worth, I have always used Vallarta Undersea (and predecessor Pacific Scuba). I have always had a good experience and particularly like the location as their shop is located near where I stay in the Marina Vallarta area. The main thing to understand is that a few shops (Chico's comes to mind) take out large cattle boats which may include snorkelers, which may be good if you are a group of divers and non-divers. Most of the boats in PV are 6 packs or smaller boats and lack amenities you may be used to in the caribbean (ie lack of bathrooms, large wash bins for cameras, etc).

Nearly all of the mainstream dive sites are within the Bay of Banderas. The most popular dive site is Los Arcos and quality of the dive can vary widely based on time of year, recent weather and number of divers/swimmers. Other popular sites are Majahuitas and Marietas Islands.

End of the day, I enjoy diving in PV. I would not head there as a dive-only trip, but I always try to dive when I am there. Happy to answer other questions, but hopefully gives a good overview.

 

[mike0479]

Anyone do any recent dives here?

 

[Earl Grey]

Anyone do any recent dives here?

What do you want to know?

I'll be there this week/end.

 

[Earl Grey]

An update for those that are interested. Dove in PV on 4/23/2013. Conditions were poor at Marietas so went to Los Arcos. It was relatively early in the morning but a couple of boats of divers and snorkelers already on site. Water temp was nice at the surface, perhaps high 70s F. Thermocline at ~ 20ft and temp dropped off to low 60sF. Viz was approx 20ft or maybe slightly more below the thermocline in the cold water, but closer to 15ft in shallower water where there were more divers.

Second dive at Colomitos. Thermocline at 15-17ft and cold underneath. Computer hit 63F. Viz was similar to Los Arcos, maybe 20ft at most.

I was not prepared for such a sharp thermocline and would have been much happier if I had a hood or better yet my hooded vest.

 

[Heisenberg]

Dove w/Banderas Scuba Republic last week. Great outfit, no cattle drive... just me and my wife and one other guy from the states. Los Arcos and Mesmalloya (SP?) conditions were along the lines of what Earl stated above. One dive to 100 ft, and over the 2000 ft cliff, awesome experience. Temps were down to 56 below 30 feet at places. Vis sucked. Good times regardless.

 

[mike0479]

Well Im getting ready to go on my trip. June 8-15th has everyone been using wetsuits? what thickness if you have been using them. I was gonna roll the dice and see what they had available there rather than pack mine up. I only have 2 to choose from here anyway. Just a 7mm which may be too thick and a 3mm which may be not enough. Opinions will be greatly appreciated.
Mike

 

[dixonk]

I will be going mid November I would like to know as well. Has anyone stayed at the hard rock there? Will be there for a conference for a week and want to sneak away for some diving. Looking at the temps I'm thinking a 3mm will not be enough but not sure what temps are there in November.