jlyle
Contributor
- Messages
- 2,245
- Reaction score
- 1,200
- Location
- Palos Verdes Peninsula, California
- # of dives
- 2500 - 4999
Mike,
I have thousands of dives under my dive belt and have dived all over the world.
Barracuda is a dangerous dive site, period. The ridge is off the NW end of the island with deep, deep water on both sides. The top of the reef is deep and the currents are normally much stronger than on the southern reefs; you cannot stop or swim against the currents there. Down currents are common and there is no where to hide on the reef (except for one saddleback about half way along). The safety stop is in blue water stop with nothing around you for orientation. When you come up, the next stop is Cuba. Twice, we surfaced in rain and were lucky the dive boat found us.
I would compare Barracuda (on most days) to dives at Coco Island where, if you get swept away, you aren't likely to be found.
My adult children are very experienced divers and I would think twice about taking them to Barracuda.
San Juan, on the other hand is just plain fun!
DSAO,
Jim
I have thousands of dives under my dive belt and have dived all over the world.
Barracuda is a dangerous dive site, period. The ridge is off the NW end of the island with deep, deep water on both sides. The top of the reef is deep and the currents are normally much stronger than on the southern reefs; you cannot stop or swim against the currents there. Down currents are common and there is no where to hide on the reef (except for one saddleback about half way along). The safety stop is in blue water stop with nothing around you for orientation. When you come up, the next stop is Cuba. Twice, we surfaced in rain and were lucky the dive boat found us.
I would compare Barracuda (on most days) to dives at Coco Island where, if you get swept away, you aren't likely to be found.
My adult children are very experienced divers and I would think twice about taking them to Barracuda.
San Juan, on the other hand is just plain fun!
DSAO,
Jim