Top diving puerto rico: Ten Best Places to Go Scuba Diving in Puerto Rico

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January 25, 2023
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Ten Best Places to Go Scuba Diving in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico’s dive scene is scattered across several islands, offering divers under-the-radar diversity.

Shutterstock.com/Gustavo Frazao

There’s more to diving in Puerto Rico than the main island. Sites off the southern coastal town of La Parguera are splendid, while the isles of Desecheo and Mona to the west and Culebra and Vieques to the east feature a constellation of stellar dive sites. Go west for caves and walls and east for reefs teeming with marine life. You and your dive buddy can debate which side wins.

The Best Dive Sites in Puerto Rico

Mona Island

Boats cruise along the shoreline of Isla de la Mona.

Shutterstock.com/Kristina_M

It’s a 50-mile boat ride from Puerto Rico to reach this remote spot where the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea unite. Outside of liveaboard boats, land-based operators make only rare, special trips to dive sites hereBut it’s well worth it. With the variety of caves, hard and soft corals, the plethora of big animals, from sharks to humpback whales and high-voltage currents, it’s like diving warm-water Galapagos Islands.

Recommended minimum skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

Candyland, Desecheo

Remember that old-school board game from your childhood? We dare you to tell us the huge, funky-shaped coral mounds extending up to 80 feet below the surface don’t look like the ones you remember from Candyland. The reef’s kaleidoscope colors are embodied in gigantic sea fans, lettuce corals and sponges. A deluge of tropical fish furthers the surrealist vibe.

Recommended minimum skill level: Intermediate

Las Cuevas, Desecheo

Swim-through junkies, this is your spot. Welcome to a water wonderland of canyons and arches, where as many as 20 divers can explore at once, to your heart’s content. Check out the triangular-looking windows that resemble Darth Vader’s mask.

Recommended minimum skill level: Beginner

Fallen Rock, La Parguera

La Parguera, a small fishing village, is nestled along Puerto Rico’s southwest shore.

Shutterstock. com/Kristina_M

Although it’s about a 45-minute trip out of La Parguera, it’s one of the area’s most sought after dive sites. There’s a V-shaped notch in a wall, with a bus-shaped, coral-covered pinnacle boulder e, creating a dramatic drop-off. It’s a deep dive;the top of the reef sits at 65 feet, and drops well past 100. Clusters of chromis abound, with Caesar grunts, schoolmasters and Spanish hawkfish. This is also a spot with great chances to see open-water animals, such as ocean triggerfish, and pelagics, like mackerels, jacks, barracuda and spotted eagle rays.
Recommended minimum skill level: Advanced

Efra’s Wall, La Parguera

Color and life burst out of this canyon. Gorgonians rule at this deep dive—the reef begins at 55 feet and descends down to well over 100—but there are also whip corals, large golden zoanthids, green finger sponges and rope pore sponges. Check out a veritable forest of black coral and look for slipper lobsters, crabs, schooling black triggerfish (known locally as durgeons),creole wrasse and striped parrotfish.

Recommended minimum skill level: Intermediate

Black Wall, La Parguera

On this deep wall dive, ranging from 60 feet to recreational limits, there are forests of black coral, enormous black and red gorgonians and elongated yellow and purple tube sponges, creating a rainbow of colors. Hogfish, black durgons and triggerfish are the most common creatures here.

Recommended minimum skill level: Intermediate

Cayo Raton, Culebra

Culebrita, an island east of Puerto Rico, gives divers access to waters churning with sea life.

Shutterstock.com/Claudia Salgado

One of the fishiest in the entire Caribbean, (and arguably one of the fishiest in Puerto Rico), this semicircular reef starts flat before plunging to 60 feet. Swarms of little to medium-size life here abound, from queen angelfish and butterflyfish to parrotfish and horse-eye jacks. Check the sand for camouflaged peacock flounders. And did we mention visibility can sometimes top 100 feet here?
Recommended minimum skill level: Intermediate

Cayo Lobito, Culebra

Maybe they should’ve named this site “the Hospital” because nurses are everywhere—nurse sharks, that is. On this 75-foot dive, jacks and barracuda keep the sharks company.
Recommended minimum skill level: Intermediate

Patti’s Reef (Vieques), Culebra

The ruins of a pier extend into the waters of Vieques, an eastern Puerto Rican island.

Shutterstock.com/WHITE.studio

This one’s an easy, shallow dive in 20 to 40 feet, exceptionally close to shore, with huge elkhorn and staghorn corals and sponges galore. Lots of cuts and chasms to peer in and explore here, with a good number of nurse sharks, mackerels and other pelagics swimming around.
Recommended minimum skill level: Beginner

Angel Reef (Vieques)
If you’re looking for wilderness diving, this rarely dived site fits the bill. It’s a shallow dive, at 40 to 60 feet, in a spur-and-groove reef, with corals in near-pristine condition. Have your dive guide show you the old Spanish anchors wedged into the reef and watch for groups of gray angelfish.
Recommended minimum skill level: Beginner

Want to dive Puerto Rico? Start planning your island vacation today with PADI Travel!

Need to Know

Country: U. S.A.
Primary Languages: Spanish, English
Currency: U.S. dollar
Signature Dishes: Albondigas (spicy meatballs) and mofongo—mashed, twice-fried plantains seasoned with garlic and olive oil and stuffed with crumbled bacon or shrimp.
Signature Marine Life: Black durgons, longsnout butterflyfish, French angelfish.
Topside Sporting Pastime: Baseball
Topside Trinkets: Mini Old San Juan painted home wall hangings or fridge magnets.
Travel Savvy Tip: Pass an off-gassing day touring of the Bacardi Rum Distillery.
Weather: Tropical, hot and humid, with temperatures averaging 83 in winter and 85 in summer, with cooler conditions in mountainous regions.
Dive Conditions: Water temps range from 75°F in winter to 85°F in summer, with visibility averaging 60 to 80 feet around the main island, and in excess of 100 feet around Desecheo and Culebra.

15 Best Dive Sites in Puerto Rico in 2023

The 15 Best Dive sites in Puerto Rico?

Recommended Level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Dive Type

Coral Reef

Megafauna

Macrofauna

Deep

Drift

Liveaboard

Snorkel Friendly

Wall Dive

Shore Dive

Photography

Shark Dive

Night Dive

Shallow

Artificial Reef

Boat Dive

Pinnacle

Sandy Patch

Historic

Mona Island

This underwater paradise is located a 50-mile ride from the coast of Puerto Rico and promises to be one of the best dive locations you have ever visited. It’s a great location to visit when on a liveaboard boat since day-based operators rarely venture this far out. The Mona island is at a spot where the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea unite bringing together amazing sites. The currents can be strong, but the clear water with almost 165ft of visibility makes up for it.

A dive site attracting incredible megafauna
Some of the best visibility in the Caribbean reaching 165 ft.
A beloved dive destination for travelers on liveaboards

What you will see: This incredible dive destination promises visitors an incredible variety of caves with astonishing collections of wildlife. The strong currents attract a large variety of large animals, including sharks, humpback whales, turtles and more. While the biodiversity is similarly diverse as the Galapagos, it has the additional benefit of having warm waters. Enjoy your dive among the spectacular coral including hard and soft varieties.

Las Cuevas

If you enjoy exploring swim throughs and caves, then this is the ultimate dive spot for you. Las Cuevas translates to caves, and this dive site is filled with canyons and arches. See how many you can swim through and what creatures you can find in this dive site.

There is a triangular looking window that looks like Darth Vader’s Mask
A great spot for beginner divers to explore
The caves and swim throughs promise sightings of unique critters

What you will see: Caves provide ample shelter for many marine animals who enjoy the safety of this natural topography. Check out how many moray eels, shy shrimp, camouflaged crabs, lobsters, species of bony fish, and sand dwelling sharks. Bring an underwater torch to get the best possible views of these critters. Invertebrates particularly enjoy the small cracks and crevices and can be easily seen by their reflecting eyes from the torch light.

Candyland

This incredible Candyland of a dive site promises divers exquisite views of mesmerizing collections of coral and accompanying marine animals. There is a large funky shaped coral mound inviting divers to the center of the dive site. It is a relatively shallow dive site that allows intermediate level divers to take advantage of the stunning landscapes. Grab your camera and try and capture some of the bright colors found here.

Thriving reef with large collection of coral species
The Gigantic Sea Fans here make great subjects of underwater photographs
Large amounts of reef fishing swimming around this dive site

What you will see: This dive site is well known for its rich collection of coral. The bright colors are fascinating to watch on the intertwined soft, hard corals, and large sea fans. There are lettuce corals, sponges, with darting tropical fish among them. See how many butterfly fish, damsel fish, bat fish, trumpet fish, moray eels, and dancing parrotfish in the clear warm waters.

Palomino Wall

This wall dive features a sandy slope that descends from 15 ft down to 80 ft. It has dense and thick coral cover and offers divers the chance to spot some truly rare marine animals. This dive site is located on the eastern side of San Juan.

Manatees have been spotted at this dive site
This dive site has plenty of healthy coral cover to swim through

What you will see: The dive site is covered in brightly colored corals and has large collections of gorgonian fans, sponges, and hard and soft corals. There are also plenty of hawksbill turtles, and eagle rays. While dolphins are regular visitors to the area, they are typically spotted form the boat during a surface interval.

Black Wall

The black wall dive is famous for all divers since it is a dive site on an impressive 22 miles long of thriving coral reefs. This wall dive descends from 60 feet to well past the recreational limits and is well suited for intermediate and advanced divers. The wall is covered with astonishing coral growth including black coral, black and red gorgonians, and massive purple tube sponges. The whole cacophony of colors provides an impressive backdrop to your deep dive.

The unique and rare black coral covers the slopes of this wall
This deep wall dive is a great spot for intermediate and advanced divers
This dive site usually has fantastic visibility

What you will see: Some of the most common species of fish you may see include Hogfish, triggerfish, trumpetfish, and rays swimming around. If you are lucky, you may also see some turtles or occasional pelagic fish. This dive site has been featured in the Scuba Times, the PADI underwater journal along with plenty of TV documentaries!

Cayo Raton

One of the most densely fish populated spots, the Cayo Raton is a semicircular reef. It begins at a shallow depth and descends all the way to 60 feet. What really sets this reef aside from many others, is that the visibility can frequently be over 100 feet! This reef has a rich biodiversity of coral along with resident fish.

Frequently has some of the best visibility in Puerto Rico
Beautiful coral reefs thrive in this semicircular reef
Well suited for intermediate level divers

What you will see: This coral reef is the home to plenty of queen angel fish to butterfly fish. There are also large schools of parrotfish and horse eye jacks that swarm around divers. If you look closer at the sandy patches near the reef, you will find camouflaged peacock flounders.

Cayo Lobito

This dive sit is most well-known for a large amount of nurse sharks living in the area. The depth is around 75 ft and features plenty of opportunities for intermediate level divers to explore this beautiful reef.

Popular hangout spot for Nurse Sharks
Great visibility and opportunity to see barracuda and other pelagic fish

What you will see: Along with coral reef and its common residents include nurse sharks and other pelagic fish. Expect to see the occasional barracuda, jacks, and other fish in the blue. There are also plenty of healthy corals around and fantastic visibility.

Efra’s Wall

This dive site is an explosion of coral and life. There is a canyon carved out of a wall where gorgonians have taken over. This is a relatively deep dive where the reef begins at a depth of 55 feet and drops down to 100 ft. Along your dive you will be swimming among whip coral, large golden zoanthids, green finger sponges, and rope pore sponges.

Beautifully healthy dive site with magnificent coral
Great spot for intermediate and advanced divers
Bring your camera to capture the beauty of this dive site

What you will see: This dive site offers plenty of spots for many reef fish to swim and hide, along with cracks and crevices for invertebrates to hide in. There are brightly colored crabs, cleaner shrimp, and starfish. There are also large black coral forests where slipper lobsters, schooling black surgeons, and striped parrot fish live.

Bucky

One of the easiest dive sites in Puerto Rico best suited for beginner divers. The reef is located at a shallow depth of 20 to 40 feet and is close to the shore. The topography here features elkhorn and staghorn coral. There are also plenty of colored sponges attracting brightly colored reef fish.

Unique topography featuring cuts, and chasms with abundant camouflaged fish life
Fantastic dive site for beginner divers

What you will see: Along with magnificent coral, here you will see plenty of nurse sharks, mackerel and other pelagic fish. You can also expect to see some moray eels, camouflaged sting rays, butterfly fish, and sea snakes. The abundance of marine life makes this a fantastic and easy dive site for new divers to become acclimated to their diving adventures.

Crash Boat

This is an easy shore dive off one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico. Crash Boat is a loved destination for locals and travelers who visit the town of Aguadilla. The dive begins from the old navy pier that stretches out from the beach. There tends to be no current in the area and provides fantastic visibility.

A fantastic dive for novice divers or ones in need of a refresher
The old Navy pier attracts a large amount of fish and invertebrates for shelter

What you will see: The navy pier attracts a whole variety of marine life to it including plenty of coral, reef fish, and the occasional turtle. Both divers and snorkelers alike can enjoy this thriving marine ecosystem. So, use the shallow depth and great visibility to snap photos of hard and soft corals, along with large collections of reef fish.

Angel Reef

If you are looking for a truly untouched reef to take you back in time, then this is the dive site for you. It is a shallow dive site with a maximum depth of 60 ft. It is a spur and groove reef, with most of its corals in pristine condition. Dive guides know this site well and will be able to show you some old Spanish anchors among the rock and reef.

Great dive site for beginner divers
You will have the chance to see some Spanish ship anchors laying on the ocean floor
Corals here are in pristine condition

What you will see: This dive site is the home to many thriving corals who are the foundation for thriving underwater habitats. Another highlight in the area are the historic Spanish anchors that were left behind by ships in the past. There are also large groups of gray angel fish, butterfly fish, damsel fish, and more!

Mosquito Pier

This dive site is one of the most popular dive sites, along with Mosquito pier. It is located along the breakwater on the north side of the island. There is plenty of sheltered water with minimal current, where beginner divers can frolic, while certain areas are best suited for advanced divers. The shallow parts of the reef are also snorkel friendly and offer sites of thriving marine creatures.

This dive site is snorkel friendly
You have a big chance of spotting resident hawksbill and green turtles in the area

What you will see: Sea turtles are common residents in the area and are frequently spotted by divers. You will also have the chance to see some eagle rays gliding through the blue water, sting rays, moray eels, and Caribbean lobsters. This reef has just about every species of fish found in the Caribbean waters with exquisite visibility and minimal currents. Bottlenose dolphins also can be spotted from onboard your boat or directly off the beach.

Fallen Rock

This uniquely shaped dive site is a 45-minute trip from La Parguera and is one of the “most sought-after destinations” in Puerto Rico according to Scuba Diving Magazine. It’s a V shaped notch in the wall where a large coral covered boulder broke off and formed a pinnacle. The dive site has steep drop offs descending well past 100 feet. It provides spectacular opportunities for photography, deep diving, and challenging dives. It is only a 12-minute boat ride from Playa Santa, making it a great day trip!

Great spot to spot open water animals such as barracudas and spotted eagle rays in the deep blue
Well suited for advanced divers
Large collection of reef fish aggregate around the colorful coral

What you will see: The wall where you begin your dive is covered with coral with a magnitude of marine animals. Crabs and other invertebrates hide among the coral structures while reef fish swim around in the blue. There are plenty of Chromis around along with Caesar grunts, schoolmasters, and Spanish Hawkfish. Once you are near the deep descent you are also more likely to spot ocean triggerfish and pelagic including mackerels, jacks, barracuda, and spotted eagle rays.

Three Rocks Horse Shoe

This dive site is in the shape of a horseshoe and features a narrow ledge, for beginner divers along with deeper sections for more experienced divers.

This dive site is suited for divers of any level
There are two sunken cannons divers can explore
Resident Moray Eels live here

What you will see: This dive site features a healthy shallow reef where plenty of nurse sharks, lobsters, and reef fish live. There are two sunken historic cannons and communication cables that have now been covered in coral growths. They provide a unique photo op.

Sail Rock

While this is one of the most highly prized destinations from Puerto Rico, Sail Rock is part of St. Thomas. However, it is such a great dive, that you should consider doing it! It’s located 10 miles from Culebra. The pinnacle begins at a depth of 140ft and offers great visibility. There are large schools of fish that swirl around the pinnacle, along with plenty of other marine animals. To reach this dive site, there will need to be calm weather conditions to travel the distant.

A fantastic pinnacle with abundant marine life in St. Thomas
Great chance to see eagle rays and large sharks
The weather needs to be calm to allow boats to reach it

What you will see: These massive pinnacles in the middle of the deep blue always attract large numbers of marine animals. At this one, you can expect to see large schools of jacks, swirling barracudas, and even some jacks. If you keep your eye out into the deep blue, you will be able to spot some sharks or a small collection of eagle rays.

Aqua Adventure Diving Center (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

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Address: SAN JUAN BAY MARINA, Ave. Fernandez Juncos, Stop 10, Santurce, San Juan 00907 PR
Phone: 787-636-8811, 787-729-2626
Website: www.aquaadventurepr.com
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Aqua-Adventure-PR-762666773881537/

1 List of services and prices for them:
- 1.1 Diving tours:
- 1.2 Diving packages:
- 1.3 Swimming courses:
- 1.4 Equipment rental:
- 1.5 Snourcling Tours:
9000
2 places with names:
3 Languages of communication:
4 Contact information for Aqua Adventure dive center in Puerto Rico:
5 Hotels near the dive center:
- 5.1 Recommended:

List of services and prices for them:

Diving Tours:

1 tank: $99. 00 + tax (including equipment)
2 tanks: $110.00 + tax (add $40.00 for equipment) minimum 6 people
CULEBRA & VIEQUES $150.00
ST. THOMAS $399.00

Diving packages:

2 dives $110
3 dives $189
4 dives $220
5 dives $299
6 dives $330
7 dives $409
8 dives $440
9 dives $519
10 dives $550
11 dives $629
12 dives $660
13 dives $739
14 dives $770
15 dives $849
16 dives $880

Scuba Diving Courses:

Discover Scuba Diving $150.00
PADI Elearning – price on request
Open Water – price on request
Advanced – price on request
Rescue – cost on request
Specialties – price on request
PADI Open Water Referral Course – price on request

Equipment rental:

Regulators $10. 00 per day
Buoyancy Compensators $10.00 per day
Mask/Fins/Snorkel $10.00 per day
Computers $15.00 per day
Weight 200 Included with everything on the boat

nine0005 Wetsuits $10.00 per day

Snorkeling tours:

FAJARDO NATURAL park 3 hours – $69
CULEBRA $99
Fajardo/Ceiba $99.00
San Juan $59.00

Spoken languages:

English
Spanish

Aqua Adventure is featured on the independent tripadvisor® portal, read reviews, see ratings: https://www. tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147320-d1774036-Reviews-Aqua_Adventure-San_Juan_Puerto_Rico.html

Aqua Adventure Puerto Rico Diving Center Contact Information:

Address: SAN JUAN BAY MARINA, Ave. Fernandez Juncos, Stop 10, Santurce, San Juan 00907 PR
Phone: 787-636-8811, 787-729-2626
Website: www.aquaadventurepr.com
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Aqua-Adventure-PR-762666773881537/

Hotels near the dive center:

1. Hotel Miramar
Address: 606 Avenida Juan Ponce de Leon, San Juan, 00907, Puerto Rico
2. Olimpo Court Hotel
Address: 603 Av. Miramar, San Juan, 00907, Puerto Rico
3. Courtyard by Marriott San Juan Miramar
Address: 801 Avenida Juan Ponce de Leon, San Juan, 00907, Puerto Rico
4. Olimpo Court Hotel
Address: 603 Av. Miramar, San Juan, 00907, Puerto Rico

Island Scuba Diving Center (Puerto Rico)

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Address: 392 Calle Marina Playa Santa Ensenada Guanica, Puerto Rico
Phone: +1 787-309-6556
Website: www. sanjuandiver.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IslandScuba01/

1 List of services and prices for them:
- 1.1 Specialty:
2 Information about training and issued certificates:
- 2.1 Discover Scuba
- 2.2 Open Water Certification
3 Communication languages:
4 Contact information Diving ISLAND SCUBA in Puerto Rico:
5 Hotels near the dive Center:
- 5.1 We recommend that you familiarize yourself:
9000

their prices:

Snorkeling $60
2 Dives $95.00
Night Dive (2 Tanks) $95.00
Discover Scuba Diving $130
Open Water Certification $348.00
Advance Open Water $95.00 per day + $25.00 equipment rental

Specialty:

Digital Underwater Photography
Enriched Air Diver Course Online
Deep dive
Navigation
Fish identification

Training and certification information:

Discover Scuba

The PADI Discover Scuba Diving program allows you to experience the pleasure of diving under the supervision of a PADI professional. During your adventure, you will learn some of the basic concepts and skills of scuba diving, and you can even go on open water trips. PADI Discover Scuba Diving can be experienced by just about anyone aged 10 and over in good health and fitness. nine0003

Open Water Certification

3 days of practice with us at our amazing dive sites. The price includes training, equipment, boat, diving, snacks and certification. Semi-private tuition.

Spoken languages:

English
Spanish

Island Scuba is described on the independent portal tripadvisor®, read reviews, see ratings:0003

Island Scuba Diving Center Puerto Rico Contact Information:

Address: 392 Calle Marina Playa Santa Ensenada Guanica, Puerto Rico
Phone: +1 787-309-6556
Website: www.sanjuandiver.com
E-mail: [email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IslandScuba01/