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I plan to go to Puerta Viarta in late December. Anyone know how the diving is there at that time? Do you know of a reliable dive shop to find a buddy? I am new to this site.
I have been in PV a couple times, the diving is pretty good. The visibility is just ok and there is not much for soft coral but there are lots of big fish, eels, whales (in Dec/Jan/feb) and Mantas. I have used Pacific Scuba and was happy with them. I used a 3mm full wetsuit most of the time but in November 2007 it was warm enough to not use one. You might want to use one anyway because they sometimes have jellyfish.
Let the Dive OP know that you need a dive buddy and hopefully they will set you up. I am always the buddyless diver on the boat and usually end up matched with someone on the boat or being the DM's buddy. Being the DMs buddy is ok, but they usually are looking out for the whole group and aren't focused on you as a buddy.
My favourite site was Las Marietas, least favourite Los Arcos. have fun on your trip.
Last edited by Chocoholic; November 29th, 2009 at 02:20 PM.
Reason: add info
Thanks for the info - Funny, but I was in Alaska last year - twice! First time for a couple of weeks in Whittier, then to Valdez. I will look for a buddy for Puerta Vallarta.
My dive skills impress children and non-divers alike.
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I would suggest PVScuba. We (three of us) dove with them four days last week and had a GREAT time. Alex is one of the most professional operators out there, Ramses was an awesome instructor, guide, buddy etc, and the captain (who's name I won't try to spell) sure knows what he is doing. They have a very comfortable boat, designed for divers, very fast, yet quiet enough so everyone can talk comfortably while in route. They also provide steel 100s! I could write a book of praise about these guys, but I will just say they are the best of what we experienced in PV. They even took the time for a close encounter with a couple of grey whales and a visit to a small fishing village between dives. Oh yes, we also saw mantas two days in a row! I would not worry about not having a buddy with you; I am sure they will match you with a diver of similar experience and will be guided.
I plan to go to Puerta Viarta in late December. Anyone know how the diving is there at that time? Do you know of a reliable dive shop to find a buddy? I am new to this site.
Is that Puerto Vallarta? on the west coast? (pronounced like you spelled)
"Equality of opportunity or equality of outcome?
One is consistent with a free people and the other requires a police state. Pick one." ~Cool Hardware52
I, alone, am responsible for my health and safety, my actions and inactions.
"If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size?" ~Sydney J. Harris
I would suggest PVScuba. We (three of us) dove with them four days last week and had a GREAT time. Alex is one of the most professional operators out there, Ramses was an awesome instructor, guide, buddy etc, and the captain (who's name I won't try to spell) sure knows what he is doing. They have a very comfortable boat, designed for divers, very fast, yet quiet enough so everyone can talk comfortably while in route. They also provide steel 100s! I could write a book of praise about these guys, but I will just say they are the best of what we experienced in PV. They even took the time for a close encounter with a couple of grey whales and a visit to a small fishing village between dives. Oh yes, we also saw mantas two days in a row! I would not worry about not having a buddy with you; I am sure they will match you with a diver of similar experience and will be guided.
"Equality of opportunity or equality of outcome?
One is consistent with a free people and the other requires a police state. Pick one." ~Cool Hardware52
I, alone, am responsible for my health and safety, my actions and inactions.
"If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size?" ~Sydney J. Harris
Nuevo Vallarta is just across the river that divides the 2 states (Ameca river that is, between Jalisco and Nayarit) . It is a few minutes away from Puerto Vallarta .
"Equality of opportunity or equality of outcome?
One is consistent with a free people and the other requires a police state. Pick one." ~Cool Hardware52
I, alone, am responsible for my health and safety, my actions and inactions.
"If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size?" ~Sydney J. Harris
It takes me about 15 minutes to drive from Nuevo Vallarta to Marina Vallarta where VallartaUndersea (formerly known as Pacific Scuba) is located and where it departs for the daily dive trips.
The water has cooled down a bit (from 82F to 78F in just 2 days) because the full moon brought along some major swell and the thermocline crept up on us... whatever, it was meant to happen eventually. Incidentally, this swell of late Nov or early Dec is about the worst of the year, so better times are to come.
We have been stopping by to see whales, we saw a female slapping her tail about 20 times and we have been pretty lucky with the mantas as well.
Contrary to what I see the general opinion is on Los Arcos, I have been having consistently good dives there recently. Big schools of fish at the canyon, in the area of the 70feet rock. You can also see some cleaning stations around there and we have seen mantas there twice in the past couple of weeks. It is for sure you will see some eagle rays too. I also love the fact that if you want to make any plans for that day, the proximity of Los Arcos allows you to even have a late lunch with the non-diving family.
I will not be in Vallarta late December (family things around Christmas...) but we can surely set you up with buddy, divemaster and an operation that you will like very much.
Click for the Vallarta collection in my flickr pictures to see some of my uw photos of various dive sites. * Alicia's collections on Flickr
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Originally Posted by Belwish
