DWM took us to Barracuda up on the north end of the island on our last day of diving 5 days with them back in September. We fortunately lucked up with less "trade-winds" on Barracuda than what others have encountered. The deepness is not what I was most concerned about. I had heard numerous stories of current so fast that if you turned your head that it could at times pull the mask off! There is a reason the dive ops only take divers who are "ready" to the north end dive sites. I was pleasantly pleased with a nice glide once we actually got over to the wall. It is so pristine and virgin looking compared to the Southern deep reefs on the island. Yes, watch your depth gauge because it's so deceiving at that depth with the beautiful clear water and such lush wall in front of you as you glide beside the wall. After our SI, we headed to San Juan for our 2nd dive and man, was the current rippin! We settled into a fast-forward rocket ride across the top of San Juan. It was so gorgeous, lush green, finger corals popping up everywhere across the top. You could not stop to hover if you tried!!! HONEST! Our DM, David, commented once we all got back on the boat that from looking at shore, we traveled a good 2-3miles from where we dropped in!!!
We didn't do Devil's throat this past trip, because we did the Catherdral there instead. All I can suggest to you about Devil's throat is to have your small flashlight in your BC ready to pull out as you head in. I'd also make sure your wife is the 1st one in behind the DM so she can follow his fins instead of someone who may silt up the place. I'm female, and was at first very concerned about the feel of darkness as we entered from the sandy area into such a darker area. (I was the 2nd to the last of 8 divers going single file into the dark part) I whipped out my 2ndary light I always keep in my BC and felt much more comfortable. I remember having to hang a left in the darkness, locate a hole that felt like a square shape that was wider than me and my tank and basically use my hands to lift myself up and into the hole head first which then led me into brightness again straight down to around 120. What a thrill ride to emerge into the blue abyss after being in the darkness first!!!Whatever you do, let the DM assist your wife instead of you. In my opinion, accidents can happen when/if the diver is not mentally ready for the situation presented.... It definately is a deep dive for much later in your diving week! You know, your wife can always hang out on the boat while you dive it with the others on the boat and then just rejoin the group on the 2nd dive if she is still feeling too much pressure. It took me 6 trips to the island before I felt ready for that advanced of a dive. I'm glad I waited till I was ready. It was a thrill, but it wouldn't have been on my earlier trips because I wasn't comfortable with everything you have to be ready for on Devil's Throat. (deepness, darkness, good air consumption, good bouancy so you don't silt up the already dark area for those behind you, and most of all a "can-do" attitude ready to enjoy the dive instead of being fearful of it.) Patience is will pay off for you when she feels up to the dives.
