Diving Puerto Rico (9 top spots)

 

It is part of the Greater Antilles

Puerto Rico has a population of aprox. 4 million people and covers 3515 square miles.

San Juan is the capital





When to dive Puerto Rico:

If you are visiting the North, or East coast, the best time is February and March. The best time to visit the South and West coast is from December to March.

In April there is almost certainly an increase in rainfall, specifically in the inland and North coast.

From June until November it is hurricane season, with the highest probability in August and September.

Temperatures and precipitation are quiet different depending the side of the island;

North coast (San Juan):

Average temperatures:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min (°C)222223242525262625252423
Max (°C)282929303132323232313029
Min (°F)727273757777797977777573
Max (°F)828484868890909090888684

Average precipitation:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Prec.(mm)805060901451201251501501501401151375
Prec.(in)3.122.43.55.74.74.95.95.95.95.54.554.1
Days131010101213151614151616160


South Coast (Ponce);

Average temperatures:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Min (°C)191919212223232323222120
Max (°C)303030313132333332323131
Min (°F)666666707273737373727068
Max (°F)868686888890919190908888

Average precipitation:

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Prec.(mm)252540559565651101501609535915
Prec.(in)111.62.23.72.62.64.35.96.33.71.436
Days66671088101113107102

Average water temperatures (San Juan):

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Temp (°C)262626272728282929292827
Temp (°F)797979818182828484848281


Puerto Rico Offers Great Wall diving, pristine reefs and amazing visibility. 

There are 14 PADI dive centers, also SSI and NAUI are available in Puerto Rico



Dive sites:

Parguera's wall













Several drop-offs along a 20 mile long wall that start at 30 ft and reach up to 120 ft. Black Corals, Elkhorn coral, Sponges & Gorgonians cover the wall. Mantas, Barracudas, Big Dog fish, Turtles Angelfish, Sharks, Angelfish & Black Durgon all reside here.


Angel reef







This pristine coral reef at 60 ft depth is ideal for all level divers.
Spanish Anchors can be observed between the corals & Rocks.
Gray Angelfish, Morel, Damsel fish and Butterfly fish made this reef their home.


Cayo Raton

















With a maximum depth of 60 ft this reef is ideal for open water and more experienced divers.

It is the home of Angel fish, Peacock Flounders, Horse Eye Jacks and Parrot fish.

Viz is often over 100 ft at Cayo Raton.


Palomino wall










Located at the eastern side of the island this 15 to 80 ft wall is densely covered in hard & soft corals, Gorgonian fans and sponges.

Plenty of Hawksbill turtles and Eagle rays are to be seen here.

 White Dolphins can be spotted regularly from the boat.


Las cuevas
















These caves with a max. depth of about 30 ft are ideal for all level divers.
Many Eels, Crabs, Shrimp, a variety of Bony fish and Sharks dwelling in the sand can be observed here. 
Take a torch and you'll see the eyes of many invertebrates reflect the light.


Cayo lobito











This 75 ft deep reef is ideal for intermediate divers.

Because of the abundance of tropical fish,Cayo lobito is the ideal  place to see Barracudas, Jacks, Nurse Sharks and other pelagic fish.

There's plenty of healthy Corals and visibility is fantastic.


Cayo Icanos










This shallow dive (29 ft) is suited for all levels of divers.

Parrot fish, Jacks, Butterfly fish, Barracudas and Angelfish are to be observed at this reef, together with healthy Soft Corals.


Efra's wall














The wall starts at 55 ft and reaches a maximum of 100ft.

Gorgonians, Whip Coral, Rope Pore Sponges, Green Finger Sponges and Large Golden Zoathids are all part of this spectacular vertical reef.
Large Black Coral forests house Lobster, Black Dungeons and Striped Parrot fish.


Fallen Rock














This 'V' shaped notch in the wall, with a pinnacle formed by a large, Coral covered boulder is one of the most popular spots in Puerto Rico.
It is a great place to observe Eagle Rays and Barracudas in the open water.
Spanish Hawk fish, Chromis and Caesar Grunts all swim around here.

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