Recommendations for sites on Central Pacific Coast?

[MTJeff]

For those familiar with options between Puerta Vallarta and Manzanillo: if you had to pick one town for a novice to dive, what would you recommend? I'll need to rent all equipment, so any dive shop recommendations also are welcomed.

I think our first stop on 19 day trip (this month) will be Yelapa.

Thanks!

 

[LoboMX]

I can help you a little bit with the lower part the area. Hopefully someone can chime in for the Jalisco/PVR portion. I've been diving in PVR once, and there's many shops to choose from up there.

Melaque/Barra de Navidad I've heard has 2 dive shops currently operating there. One is called Sea to Sierra (www.seatosierra.com), the other I don't know the name of. There is a protected bay and from what I've heard some good diving, but I haven't been diving there yet.

Manzanillo has 2 dive shops also. Aquatic Sports and Adventures (www.aquaticsportsadventures.com) and Scuba Shack (www.gomanzanillo.com/scubamex/). Manzanillo has a great beach dive that is good for beginners. It has the largest variety of fish in the little cove that I've seen at any dive site in Manzanillo. There is also several nice boat dive locations that are good for a novice. Just let people know what you're looking for so they can customize something to you're skill level and comfort level.

I encourage you to contact any shop that you are thinking of diving with so you get a feel of how they work. The most important thing is that you are comfortable with whomever you choose to go with.

LoboMX