Puerto Vallarta vs. Cabo San Lucas

[shaynainman]

I would love to get feedback from fellow divers about which area has better diving: Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas. I am trying to pick somewhere for a short dive trip. Unfortunately, both is not an option.

 

[er1n99]

Don't know anything about Cabo as I have never been there. Went to PV last year (September, I think it was). We went diving with Puerto Vallarta Scuba Diving and Snorkeling - Chico's Dive Shop downtown. It definitely not the resort diving that you get used to as you carry your gear across the street, down the beach, and onto a small boat who will then take you to a larger boat. The people are friendly and they mean well. Diving was so-so. It seemed that every day, the vis was "below average" for the thoughts of PV. We dove 5 days.

We stayed at the Hacienda Hotel which was across the street from Outback Steakhouse (true Mexican food, huh?). Horrible hotel. Beds were uncomfortable, service took FOREVER, etc. Also, bad location because it isn't near anything except Outback Steakhouse and a great "bar/restaurant" called Coco Canuck or something like that. Canadian guy who owns a bar in Mexico and has a German chef make fajitas for the Mexican construction workers.

Vallarta Adventures is the big outfit over there. They do EVERYTHING and are in every hotel trying to sell tours and whatnot. We saw a few of their boats...packed with people. Maybe Chico's wasn't so bad...sure it was a small boat and you were unsure if we'd come back alive, but you definitely got the service and attention. Hope this helps.

 

[AZdiver1279]

I would love to get feedback from fellow divers about which area has better diving: Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas. I am trying to pick somewhere for a short dive trip. Unfortunately, both is not an option.

I'm not sure of your reasons for narrowing it down to Cabo or PV but I would pick neither as a dive destination. From LA area you can fly into Cancun for about the same price and dive in Playa del Carmen. The diving will be much, much, better than either of the other two destinations. Or, you could pop over to Cozumel for very good diving.

 

[diverdude09]

I would love to get feedback from fellow divers about which area has better diving: Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas. I am trying to pick somewhere for a short dive trip. Unfortunately, both is not an option.

Cabo is great this time of year Water temp is 83 Vis 75 to 85 feet. There are over 600 Species of tropical fish in the Sea of Cortez and always a chance to see whale Sharks, Mantas, Sea Lions and the Sand Falls.
I like diving Cabo because the boat ride is only 5 Min.s to world class Diving and your back by lunch Time and still have the rest of the day for outher sports.
I dive with Baja Dive nice big boat all safty gear and all Dive Masters speak English.
Try this link Home

 

[Scuba Diver Mexico]

If you like shooting UW pictures check out the following links from earlier this summer in Vallarta,


Images by Kevin Lee

Kevin Lee's Photos- powered by SmugMug

iImages by Allison Vitsky

Puerto Vallarta/Bahia des Banderas - Allison's Photos

Images by Alicia Hermosillo

Puerto Vallarta highlights - a set on Flickr
Vallarta julio 2009 - a set on Flickr

Also when you have the chance check out the Puerto Vallarta Dive report thread regularly here at Scuba Board,

 

[mikerault]

I have dove Cabo, nice sealife, reasonable viz. I haven't doeve PV but have dove Mazatlan (down the coast) poor viz, shallow, good for muck diving.

Mike