I looked through a few of the other posts for PR and saw most of them were for other parts of the island. We booked our vacation before we knew we'd be certified (found a great 2 for 1 deal and got completely certified in about a week). We will be staying a week in the Isle Verde area of San Juan and would like to get in a few dives while we are there. We won't have a car the whole time, but are up for renting a car for the day, but still don't want to spend too much of our time on the road. We've looked into a few places in Fajardo, but was hoping someone would have a good recommendation for brand new divers (and something a little more friendly on the wallet, perhaps a shore dive?). Thanks in advance for the advise!
Puerto Rico (San Juan Area) Diving Suggestions
- Thread starter jemmini6
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Double Diver
Contributor
Double Diver
Contributor
Well that didn't take long I found this great site "Complete Diving Guides shop" for 10 bucks they have it all. I just downloaded the PR guide and it will answer all of your questions.
Let me know if your going to be there when I am.
Good luck!
Complete Diving Guides, Everything you need to know to dive the eastern Caribbean
Let me know if your going to be there when I am.
Good luck!
Complete Diving Guides, Everything you need to know to dive the eastern Caribbean
ALaskowski
Registered
I too am looking to possibly head down one of the last weekends of May. Lemme know what info you find and I'll do the same. Right now I am looking for what some of the more reputable dive operations are. Looks like most of the accessable diving is on thw east and south coasts. Flights and car rentals are both cheap enough. Hotel stays seem a little pricier thus far.
Double Diver
Contributor
I will be calling the LDSs this week and I also have my man in PR to check it out on a local level. I'll let you know.
ALaskowski
Registered
I reached out to a friend of mine whose been there a number of times recently, and heres what he had to say on the matter:
...I don’t remember, I always dive with a different crew, depends if East, West or on the islands off the coast, so each time we go, I research a different area…
Best I have been to is Aguadilla caves out east or the island Culebra (you have to take a $2 ferry ride and they wait for you with a dive boat right at the drop off!).
However, the best diving is supposed to be on Mona Island and down south in La Paguera but I haven’t been there yet.
I have had feedback from the locals that Fajardo while extremely busy dive site for tourist most of the time has really bad visibility…
If you are going to go to Fajardo, you might as well jump on the $2 ferry to Culebra or Viejues, where you will be doing a boat dive for much cheaper in a MUCH better area and a lot less people.
Rent a car for $20 a day, go to Fajardo (less than an hour, depending on traffic) $2 ferry later, you’re in divers paradise, shallow dives but beautiful areas, not a clusterf@ck like Fajardo, that may be the place I do last or if the weather is perfect.
...I don’t remember, I always dive with a different crew, depends if East, West or on the islands off the coast, so each time we go, I research a different area…
Best I have been to is Aguadilla caves out east or the island Culebra (you have to take a $2 ferry ride and they wait for you with a dive boat right at the drop off!).
However, the best diving is supposed to be on Mona Island and down south in La Paguera but I haven’t been there yet.
I have had feedback from the locals that Fajardo while extremely busy dive site for tourist most of the time has really bad visibility…
If you are going to go to Fajardo, you might as well jump on the $2 ferry to Culebra or Viejues, where you will be doing a boat dive for much cheaper in a MUCH better area and a lot less people.
Rent a car for $20 a day, go to Fajardo (less than an hour, depending on traffic) $2 ferry later, you’re in divers paradise, shallow dives but beautiful areas, not a clusterf@ck like Fajardo, that may be the place I do last or if the weather is perfect.
motoxmann
Registered
We were there in august and had a couple of great experiences. We stayed in fajardo and the first company we went out with was Sea Ventures. It was a pretty decent sized operation. Big boat, lots of room. The crew was awesome. All the DM's were very professional and knew their stuff. They took us to two different sites "sandslide" and "spurs". The first was pretty shallow, and the second was around 65 feet. Visibility at both was 80+.
The second day we took the ferry over to Culebra and dove with Culebra Divers. Totally different operation. Didn't seem "corporate" at all. Total mom and pop type of gig. The guy that owns the place, Walter, is a trip. He took us out on our dives and took us to two different sites; "The Arch" and "tamarindo pico". The first was the deepest around 50-60 feet and was near a super small little island that had a natural arch running off of it. The second was only 20 feet at the deepest, but had by far the most life. Tons of coral and fish, and we even saw a turtle and a nurse shark. Probably my favorite dive of the four that we did.
I would definitely check out Culebra, as it's definitely worth the ferry ride. And while you're out there you can go to the other side of the island and check out "flamenco" beach. And bring a jacket on the ferry because they pump the ac and it gets pretty chilly.
The second day we took the ferry over to Culebra and dove with Culebra Divers. Totally different operation. Didn't seem "corporate" at all. Total mom and pop type of gig. The guy that owns the place, Walter, is a trip. He took us out on our dives and took us to two different sites; "The Arch" and "tamarindo pico". The first was the deepest around 50-60 feet and was near a super small little island that had a natural arch running off of it. The second was only 20 feet at the deepest, but had by far the most life. Tons of coral and fish, and we even saw a turtle and a nurse shark. Probably my favorite dive of the four that we did.
I would definitely check out Culebra, as it's definitely worth the ferry ride. And while you're out there you can go to the other side of the island and check out "flamenco" beach. And bring a jacket on the ferry because they pump the ac and it gets pretty chilly.
I am planning a trip with my friend to Puerto Rico for end of August. It would be us two girls traveling from San Juan to Rincon. Does anyone know how safe Puerto Rico really is?
CW29910
New
I'm in the same boat. My boyfriend and I will be in PR from June 3-9. We're staying in San Juan (thanks to the Air Force) and looking to partake in a few dives while we're there. It sounds like taking the ferry to Culebra is the best bet so far. Would love more suggestions anyone has them. I've got a list going of a few companies to call and check out. For us, the less touristy, the better. If anyone else is going to be heading that way during the same time, might be fun to get a group together.
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