Puerto Rico Diving ideas for beginner divers at end of December/January

[shazamsuzy]

Hello! My husband and I (who are experienced divers even though it has been a while) are taking our older teens on their first dives after their open water certification. We were thinking that Puerto Rico is the best place for us to travel for several reason. We will be going at the end of December and first week in January. Are there great dives to to take beginner divers to? I read a lot about Rincon and Desecheo, and the wall dive from this forum saying they are beautiful places to dive. Are they also ok for beginners? Any water current conditions? Weather to worry about in late December? Thanks.

 

[FreqFlier]

You have 3 somewhat distinct and different areas to dive in Puerto Rico.
Fajardo area with their trips to Culebra, Vieques and reefs nearby. Probably a good idea, they cater to all kinds of divers. Sea Ventures comes to mind. NE winds in December, swell may be an issue.
Rincon/Aguadilla area. That's where Desecheo trips usually originate from. They are extremely weather/swell dependent, not even a slightest chance for it in December. Few ops offer shore dives, but swell is kinda messing things up with a lack of visibility. Aquatica, Rincon Divers and Taino comes to mind. Wouldn't go there in December.
And here's SW corner of Puerto Rico, Parguera and Guanica in particular. Great option for December trip, but pretty much exclusively boat dives. Paradise in Parguera, Island Scuba in Guanica. But IMHO your best bet with beginners/new divers is Copamarina resort and Scuba Dogs - their shop is in that resort and you can get discounts for booking both together.

 

[Oldbear]

Many years ago I did my AOW in PR. I did 4 of the 5 dive in San Juan. Pretty much only one place to dive in San Juan (as far as I, a tourist, know about) to dive, a small bay next to the Hilton. The bay is not very sexy with “Wow Factors”, but for Open Water training it is fine and easy access to San Juan. And should be less expensive compared to a charter boat.

Perhaps do the training there and do a few fun sexy dives after certification where everyone is relax.

Have fun diving with the family.

 

[Lorenzoid]

@sparragus

 

[sparragus]

Hello! My husband and I (who are experienced divers even though it has been a while) are taking our older teens on their first dives after their open water certification. We were thinking that Puerto Rico is the best place for us to travel for several reason. We will be going at the end of December and first week in January. Are there great dives to to take beginner divers to? I read a lot about Rincon and Desecheo, and the wall dive from this forum saying they are beautiful places to dive. Are they also ok for beginners? Any water current conditions? Weather to worry about in late December? Thanks.

Hey! Welcome to ScubaBoard. I’m happy to read you’ll come visit Puerto Rico and are planning to dive it.

I think @FreqFlier gave spot in advise. I also think in the SW ScubaDogs in Copa Marina will be the friendliest beginner diver place. But it will also be the most expensive. That may or not be an issue. That said, I did my discover scuba diving with them and it was aaaaaamazing. It very much changed my life. Great crew and guides.

I love diving with Island Scuba in Guanica. But for a beginner, specially teenagers, I think I’d recommend Paradise Scuba in La Parguera.

Both Island Scuba and Paradise will dive the wall. And then for the second dive they’ll go to a reef

But Paradise has a much bigger boat, it’s way more comfortable, and for that reason, a bit safer.

I know Paradise doesn’t do Discover Scuba Diving in Sunday’s, and I think they only do it on saturdays. Perhaps Saturday would be a more beginner friendly day? Give them a call and ask them about their boat trips.

That said, I think the most beginner friendly place of all is Crash Boat beach, in Aguadilla. Many dive ops will guide the shore dive there. I recommend Black Anchor and Aquatica.

Casa del Buzo also does a bunch of tours where they take their newly certified students (and whoever wants to join them) to various places. I know they went to Culebra in September. Call them to check what’s coming up.

In summary, in order of preference for a beginner:
- Crash Boat beach, with Black Anchor or Aquatica
- La Parguera, with Paradise Scuba
- Any of the other options I’ve listed.

Enjoy diving! After you dive, share with us what your plans ended up being and how it went.

(@Lorenzoid thanks for tagging me)