I just came back from a business trip to San Juan. My colleagues and I decided to stay over the weekend and go on the morning dive trip out of Fajardo with Seaventures (Scuba Diving Puerto Rico's Caribbean with Sea Ventures Dive Centers - Fajardo & Palmas del Mar in Humacao, Puerto Rico). I thought Id provide this review in case any of you find yourselves in the area.
Heres the short review.
We had a great time. Seaventures was fantastic. The visibility was ok, but not great. I would definitely dive with Seaventures again.
Now for the longer review.
I called the shop to place the reservations. The woman who answered was very helpful. She asked to me provide a credit card number in advance and said that we could cancel up to 6pm the day before. She told us where to go on the web site for directions and that the check in time was 7:45am with a 9am departure. She suggested we bring our own masks and snorkels but that they would provide them if needed. The total cost for the two-dive trip *including equipment* was $119 plus tax. I thought that was very reasonable for the area.
The directions on the web site were very thorough and include pictures as well as GPS coordinates. The web site said to allow one hour from San Juan. I thought that was a little odd because my previous trip from San Juan to Fajardo with another dive shop took an hour and a half. The new toll road extension (get the toll option on your rental car at the airport) cuts the time down a lot. We left San Juan at 6:15 and made it to the shop at 7:05. Only 50 minutes!
A few miscellaneous driving tips. I suggest you bring a good pair of sunglasses. The sun rises in the east and you will be staring straight into the sun in the morning. Driving without sunglasses would be a mistake. Also, do not speed in Puerto Rico.
The shop is located in a strip mall at the Puerto del Rey marina complex at the southern end of Fajardo. When we arrived at the shop, we were asked to sign the standard waivers. We also had to present our certification cards. We were then told to drive down the hill to the boat dock where we would receive our equipment. We went to the dive boat and then taken by one of the staff members to the equipment room and provided with whatever we needed. The BCD and fins were in good shape.
Prior to departure, we were given a safety briefing about the boat in accordance with US Coast Guard regulations. The boat was equipped with radio, oxygen unit, life jackets, and EPIR locator. The boat is 46 feet long and had plenty of room. There is a marine head as well. There were six divers and a few snorkelers. There were two divemasters and a divemaster trainee.
We then left for the first site which was a 25 minute ride away. Upon arrival we were given a site briefing. We were asked to put on our gear and walk to the back platform where they helped us with our fins. Entry was via a giant stride. We were told to wait at the safety line until everyone was in the water.
We then descended and began the trip. There was very little current. The visibility was 30-40 feet. The fish life was pretty good. We saw lobster, trumpet fish and many of the fish that you see in the Caribbean. At this site, the last part of the dive was at 15-20 feet so that served as our safety stop. The dive time was 45-50 minutes. The water temperature was 86F.
During the surface interval, the shop provided fruit, chips, salsa, water and soft drinks. We then proceeded to the next site and repeated the process. The second site offered better visibility (Id estimate 80 feet). That dive lasted about 55 minutes.
On the way back to the shop we were given additional refreshments, which now included sandwiches! The shop took care of rinsing all of the rental gear.
Overall I was very pleased with Seaventures. The staff members were all great. The service was fantastic. I would definitely dive with Seaventures again.
Heres the short review.
We had a great time. Seaventures was fantastic. The visibility was ok, but not great. I would definitely dive with Seaventures again.
Now for the longer review.
I called the shop to place the reservations. The woman who answered was very helpful. She asked to me provide a credit card number in advance and said that we could cancel up to 6pm the day before. She told us where to go on the web site for directions and that the check in time was 7:45am with a 9am departure. She suggested we bring our own masks and snorkels but that they would provide them if needed. The total cost for the two-dive trip *including equipment* was $119 plus tax. I thought that was very reasonable for the area.
The directions on the web site were very thorough and include pictures as well as GPS coordinates. The web site said to allow one hour from San Juan. I thought that was a little odd because my previous trip from San Juan to Fajardo with another dive shop took an hour and a half. The new toll road extension (get the toll option on your rental car at the airport) cuts the time down a lot. We left San Juan at 6:15 and made it to the shop at 7:05. Only 50 minutes!
A few miscellaneous driving tips. I suggest you bring a good pair of sunglasses. The sun rises in the east and you will be staring straight into the sun in the morning. Driving without sunglasses would be a mistake. Also, do not speed in Puerto Rico.
The shop is located in a strip mall at the Puerto del Rey marina complex at the southern end of Fajardo. When we arrived at the shop, we were asked to sign the standard waivers. We also had to present our certification cards. We were then told to drive down the hill to the boat dock where we would receive our equipment. We went to the dive boat and then taken by one of the staff members to the equipment room and provided with whatever we needed. The BCD and fins were in good shape.
Prior to departure, we were given a safety briefing about the boat in accordance with US Coast Guard regulations. The boat was equipped with radio, oxygen unit, life jackets, and EPIR locator. The boat is 46 feet long and had plenty of room. There is a marine head as well. There were six divers and a few snorkelers. There were two divemasters and a divemaster trainee.
We then left for the first site which was a 25 minute ride away. Upon arrival we were given a site briefing. We were asked to put on our gear and walk to the back platform where they helped us with our fins. Entry was via a giant stride. We were told to wait at the safety line until everyone was in the water.
We then descended and began the trip. There was very little current. The visibility was 30-40 feet. The fish life was pretty good. We saw lobster, trumpet fish and many of the fish that you see in the Caribbean. At this site, the last part of the dive was at 15-20 feet so that served as our safety stop. The dive time was 45-50 minutes. The water temperature was 86F.
During the surface interval, the shop provided fruit, chips, salsa, water and soft drinks. We then proceeded to the next site and repeated the process. The second site offered better visibility (Id estimate 80 feet). That dive lasted about 55 minutes.
On the way back to the shop we were given additional refreshments, which now included sandwiches! The shop took care of rinsing all of the rental gear.
Overall I was very pleased with Seaventures. The staff members were all great. The service was fantastic. I would definitely dive with Seaventures again.
