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Dive Review of Taino Divers/Casa Kristina in
Puerto Rico/Rincon

Taino Divers/Casa Kristina, Apr, 2003,

by Ezra Lunde, NY, USA . Report 993.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 3 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 3 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments I flew to San Juan from NYC to do a quick weekend in the southern town of Rincon. I rented a big house from a girl named Nicole (787-823-5839), who's number was given to me after I had phoned most hotels and various inns in the area. She has a great deal of houses and condos to select from, and is very personable. In Rincon there are two dive operators: Taino Divers and Ocean's Unlimited. I chose Taino Divers because they claimed to take less time to get out to Desecheo Island, and were closer to where we were staying. Ocean's Unlimited, however, has Nitrox and what appears to be a much nicer boat. The trip from Rincon to Desecheo takes about 45 minutes, which was no problem given the calm, dry weather. The Taino boat is a 20-odd foot pontoon with twin 200 outboards that gets a little crowded with more than 5 people. The dive staff were a young and fun group of American dudes (urp), but were a little sloppy in regard to underwater policies. They harrassed a burrfish to inflation, rested cameras in sponges, did not help divers with buoyancy control issues, and were in general pretty laissez faire. Despite this the diving was good and very easy. We did Candyland, Crab Alley, Aquarium and Pesones (Spanish for nipples); nothing deeper than 70 feet, excellent vis, gentle surge, etc. The coral is in average shape, but the small fish life is good. The usual suspects were all around, but I was surprised to see several Sargassum Triggerfish and what I thought were either Gray or Ocean Triggerfish. We only dove the eastern sites as the swells and current around the other side of the island were too strong. Overall I liked Rincon with its excellent beach and surfer community feel. There are a few cool places to eat - Rock Bottom, Tamboo - and you're never far from any of the conveniences of the USA. If you ever plan to explore PR diving, I strongly recommend a few days in Rincon. I may return later this summer to finish out the rest of the sites at Desecheo, and perhaps take the controversial trek to Mona Island to see for myself whether it's all fact or fiction.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 51-100 dives
Where else diving Mexico, Bonaire, Tortola, Grand Cayman, Saba
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm
Water Temp 79-81°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 75-100 Ft/ 23-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Safety stop, return to boat with 500 psi
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles 1 or 2 Whales None
Corals 3 stars Tropical Fish 4 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 3 stars
Large Pelagics 2 stars

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter N/A Boat Facilities N/A
Overall rating for UWP's N/A Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments [None]
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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