puerto rico diving

[ggilway]

We are considering a trip to puerto rico this winter and would like any reccomendations on locations and operators on the north shore. Thanks Geoff

 

[jlevine]

Puerto Rico is a great place to dive. Having said that, the north shore is not the best for diving in PR. There is some diving on the north near Aguadilla at Crash Boat Beach. That's about a two hour drive west from San Juan. Here is a link to one operator (Aquatica Dive Surf SUP Tours | Lessons and Gear | » Scuba Dive). There is also a small marine park near Condado in San Juan named Escambron that you can dive with Scuba Dogs (Scuba diving Guaynabo - Scuba Dogs, Inc) if you just want to say you got wet.

You can also dive out of Fajardo, about an hour east of San Juan. I've used both Sea Ventures (Scuba Diving Puerto Rico's Caribbean with Sea Ventures Dive Centers - Fajardo & Palmas del Mar in Humacao, Puerto Rico) and Casa del Mar (Scuba Puerto Rico | Scuba Diving Puerto Rico | Dive Puerto Rico | Casa del Mar Dive Center). Diving out of Fajardo can be hit or miss depending on the visibility. I really liked Sea Ventures but others are loyal to Casa del Mar. Sea Ventures also dives out of Humacao on the southeast about an hour from San Juan. The best diving is out of the south and west. West Divers out of La Parguera (West Divers, Inc.) is great and about two hours southwest of San Juan. Taino Divers out of Rincon is about three hours west and then south of San Juan (http://www.tainodivers.com) gets good marks but I have not used them. One thing: Do not rely exclusively on e-mail for contacting dive shops in PR. West Divers will respond in a business day or two to e-mails but others are hit or miss. You should call.

Have a great trip and please post a report!

 

[mrmikey32]

Also note, a lot of places do speak english.

Had a friend who just got back from a few month stay in rincon who exchanged some basic work for diving and a place to stay