Puerto Vallarta diving/snorkeling, Sept 2, from cruise ship?

[Torontonian]

Hi.

We are arriving by Carnival Splendor cruiship, in port 10am to 10pm, on Wed. Sept. 2/09. I am the only diver with my own gears, and the rest of the relatives (wife, BIL & SIL, and MIL) are snorkelers also with their own gears. I understand there is 1 hr difference, so we actually get to port 9am, but will still take some time to get to a dive shop.

The dive sites all seem to be some distance away: Los Arcos, Las Marietas or Mahajuitas. Some said there's a good chance to see manta rays. Do any of the sites have better chance to see mantas? Are they all also suitable for snorkelers?

The various dive ops also have a range of prices, even for going to the same sites. Any recommendation for a dive op (not through the ship), that can do combo dive/snorkel well? Or should I go diving myself while sending the rest to their own snorkel trips?

--

Oh, suggestions for post dive tour/activities are also welcome.

Thanks.

 

[pvscuba]

Hi.

Giant Mantas can be seen with equal chance at any of the dive sites. There haven´t been many sighting in the last few days, yet this can change any time.

I can recommend us (of course, haha) For more objective recommendations check out the Puerto Vallarta dive report at this Mexico forum http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/mexico/217590-puerto-vallarta-dive-report-14.html

We can do dive/snorkel combo with no problem. Our most popular dive sites are also excellent for snorkeling, so come on and bring the family along. We´d be honored to have you, and for a larger group we can delay our scheduled departure to wait for you and your family to get to us from the cruise ship.

greetings from Alex - PVScuba

 

[maremd50]

I can't recommend la ola adventures highly enough. I dive with them each time I am in PV, and have never been disappointed. I think I've been there 5 times now. And this past January I even got to ride a manta!!! How's that for service!?!? Kidding aside, Alex and Donna are the best. They are both very knowledgable about the sites, they give very personalized service, the food is good, the boat is nice....I love that they let you dive to your abilities and air consumption without treating you like you are part of a herd - none of this "this will be a 45 minute dive" stuff. I'm really good on air and I swear they both have gills, so most of my dives with them have been 70-75 minute dives or more depending on depth. Alex is a native of PV and he knows the sites like I know my back yard, and always seems to find where the sea creatures are hiding. He speaks very good english and Donna is canadian, so language is not an issue. Both of them take their time under water, which I enjoy. I hate it when the divemaster takes off like they're in a race. I like to cruise slowly to take in ALL the sites under there. And they mean "service" when they say they focus on that -- they've even picked me up at the hotel before. Anyway, I don't believe you'd be disappointed with them. There a lot of different people you could go with, but once I found them, I've not changed. I'm sure you'll have a great time diving in PV. Altho it is not really known as a dive destination, my diving there has rivaled the diving I've done in places like Cozumel, Fort Lauderdale, the Keys.... Have a great time and safe diving!!! And if you go with Donna and Alex, send regards and a "see you soon" from Nancy in Wisconsin (I'll be going there on Sept 5 thru the 16th. Can hardly wait!!!!)

 

[maremd50]

I should have added that they do take snorkelers too. And I just looked up their website address -- it is www.laolaocean.com. Hope you have a great time -

 

[damage]

Dive sites, like Los Arcos are about 30-40 minutes from the marina (very close from where you're ship docks) so you'll have plenty of time to dive/snorkel, and go back on time