Puerto Rico has always been a waypoint to other dive destinations in the Caribbean, but as dive tourism infrastructure develops, more divers are stopping to sample the reefs. While night life is abundant, crime is somewhat of a problem . . .

For a full review of the following Puerto Rico destination, see:

Parguera Divers - Puerto Rico, Undercurrent- April 1999

Aquatica Underwater Adventures, February 1998, Michael Miller/Anne Selby, Gaston, IN. Jose Rafals, owner of Aquatica, has several fair dive sites and one remarkable location. Fair sites are in the bay of Mayaguez. The corals are healthy but the vis. is often only 40-60 feet. Remarkable location is 12 miles off the West northwest coast of Puerto Rico-Desecho Island. Uninhabited and formerly a bombing site for the Air Force. Usually choppy seas often make it difficult to get to Desecho, but the diving is worth twice the ride. Visibility can exceed 150 feet and the healthy corals house giant spider crabs, spiny lobster and moray eels. Desecho has sustained heavy fishing in spite of Puerto Rican laws intended to protect these reefs. Water: 80 degrees. Dive restriction enforced was not below 120 ft. We saw several pods of humpback whales during our 3 days out with Jose. Jose always dives with his guests and usually has another divemaster in the water. He allows proven divers to dive their own profile and supplies dive computers. (Ph: 809/890-6071)

Coral Head Divers/Palmas Del Mar, January 1998, William Erosh, Manchester, NJ. Booked dive package at resort three months in advance. Confirmed with dive shop then that wife and I needed boat and deep dive for AOW certification and that dive shop could do this for us. Package was supposed to be 4 days or 2 tank boat dives at depths of 40-90 feet. When we got there, dive shop canceled the 1st day, saying boat captain had to leave the island. Turns out the dive shop owner left the island and no one else knew where dive locations were. Next day we did a 20' dive and nothing else. 3rd day was canceled due to no one around to drive boat. 4th day was return to 20' site where divemaster aborted dive after 10 minutes when some in group went away from group and he lost them. This is not what we bargained for and I am still arguing over refund. We obviously didn't finish our AOW certification. Vis: 10-50ft. Water 78-80 degrees. (Ph: 800-635-4529 or 809-850-7208 )

Palamino, June 1998, A. Ron Carmichael, Lago Vista, TX. My 12 year old certified daughter uses crutches and a wheelchair. Clarity wasn't great for the Caribbean, Dive operation in Fajardo was quite acceptable and professional, taking extra effort with us due to our disability. Flexible in timing and the boat rides to site were short. Sites were good but average. No current; dive guide stayed near us. Only put one tank per diver on the boat. Out, down, up, back in. On the dock for 15 to 45 minutes then back out to another site.

Parguera Divers, February 1998, Michael Miller/Anne Selby, Gaston, IN. Efra Figueroa has owned Parguera Divers for 20 years. He has 20 miles of pristine walls to dive and few competitors. Visibility is usually 75-100+ ft. Water: 80 degrees. Swarms of small reef fish (chromis, creole wrasse, black durgeon) and healthy coral cover. Wall starts at 60 feet and the sea is usually 3 to 5 feet. Efra says, there are no wimp divers on Parguera Wall. Equipment is well maintained and he is accommodating to the wishes of his crowd. Never more than 10 divers out on his 38 ft. covered boat, so it is comfortable. Provides lunch and drinks, lets everyone dive their own profile (after checking them out) and loves to share his extensive knowledge of marine biology. . . . Located at Posada Porlimar Hotel, a small inn that caters to divers. We stayed in a new room on the 4th floor and they included a buffet breakfast. The small town has many wonderful restaurants that specialize in seafood. Puerto Rico has a great variety of on surface activities, including tropical rain forest park, one of the largest cave systems in the world, verdant mountains, coffee plantations, and wonderfully friendly people.

(Ph: 800-234-7682, 809-899-4171, Fax: 809-899-4171)

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