Quick trip report. We flew into San Juan and picked up a car. The general idea was to dive Desecheo out of Rincon and then head down to La Parguera for the wall. We were warned ahead of time that weather can be dicey, but we were relatively lucky. A couple of days were blown out the week prior, but none for us. That said, the mornings along the south coast were fine, but by noon the wind picks up to the point that you can’t dive - probably why no one does. Sounds like fighting significant swells, like we had, is not uncommon. The wall was worth coming down to see and I could have done it a few more times and been perfectly happy.
Rincon. We tried Taino as they were the only one to do the Desecheo trip, but it didn’t work out. Apparently they have lost their captain of many years (got a job with the university in Mayaguez) who was the real expert in where to dive when and we heard that they are having other issues. I can’t validate any of this, but the bottom line seems to be book well in advance and plan for cancellations for whatever reason. We’ll come back and try again. Wound up doing a shore dive with Rincon Diving. The shop really has their stuff together. But, the dive was meh. Probably a 30 minute surface swim for about 15 minutes on a “wall” and then back to shore underwater. It was a good easy dive to get dialed in but I think the lesson is you don’t go to surf towns to dive.
We stayed downtown at Que Chevere. The place was in a great location and the staff were fantastic. The location was also the biggest issue. It was party central until about 4 am, so not for light sleepers.
The next two stops were both diving the Parguera wall. The two were experiences quite different so I especially hope this part is useful for folks trying to decide which shop to use.
Guanica. Dove with Island Scuba. Small shop that runs a six pack that really tossed in the 4-5 ft swells. Underwater was fine. I would characterize this as a minimalist shop. They are quite nice, but it’s basically transportation to the reef. They put a DM in the water, but you manage your own dive and can do whatever you want. We basically followed along at our leisure. We did 61 minutes on the wall dive (with at least half of that actually on the wall - not the typical 15 minutes). The reef dive was 70 minutes- didn’t even turn until the 40 minute mark. No pressure to limit your dive. For us, we stopped when we got cold. It’s been said this is not for beginners and that is probably true. But this is exactly what we want from a dive op and we we loved it. Between them and Paradise (below), we would choose Island first.
We stayed at the Parador Guanica 1929. It was built as part of the old sugar mill next door. It’s a really cool old building right on the bay. Rooms are very simple. Staff was great. We dove in the morning and they gave us a later checkout at 2pm without any hesitation. We were able to shower and head out to La Parguera.
La Parguera. We dove with Paradise and they were also very good, but completely different from Island Scuba. They are a big shop and run a big boat that can hold 17 divers. With Island it was a 15 minute trip to the wall, Paradise goes to the same wall, but a little west (the part of the wall we went to with Island was nicer, but this was also quite good), and the trip was about 30 minutes. With the big swells, the larger boat was more comfortable. After the dives with IS, my ears pricked up when that announced the first dive would be 37-45 minutes. That said, once in the water we didn’t really feel limited. We were the first off and last back on and did 50 minutes on the wall and then 59 minutes of the reef. Having 11 divers in the water with a guide versus 4 with Island. Definitely a better choice for the less experienced divers. Though, the six pack was actually easier to board than the big boat in the swells because the stern of the big boat would lift out of the water and the small boat rolled with the swells. Had a sick diver on each trip so the larger boat didn’t seem better for that.
We stayed (are still staying) at Villa La Parguera. Great spot. The place is about in need of some TLC, but ok for now. Walking distance to Paradise, grocery store and restaurants. The town appears to be a weekend town - almost nothing open Mon or Tues and more opening progressively through the week.
Wish we could have done more diving. Should’ve planned better, but it’s the bio bay tonight and then off to San Juan tomorrow for a taste of the city.
We’ll be back with better planning next time.
Rincon. We tried Taino as they were the only one to do the Desecheo trip, but it didn’t work out. Apparently they have lost their captain of many years (got a job with the university in Mayaguez) who was the real expert in where to dive when and we heard that they are having other issues. I can’t validate any of this, but the bottom line seems to be book well in advance and plan for cancellations for whatever reason. We’ll come back and try again. Wound up doing a shore dive with Rincon Diving. The shop really has their stuff together. But, the dive was meh. Probably a 30 minute surface swim for about 15 minutes on a “wall” and then back to shore underwater. It was a good easy dive to get dialed in but I think the lesson is you don’t go to surf towns to dive.
We stayed downtown at Que Chevere. The place was in a great location and the staff were fantastic. The location was also the biggest issue. It was party central until about 4 am, so not for light sleepers.
The next two stops were both diving the Parguera wall. The two were experiences quite different so I especially hope this part is useful for folks trying to decide which shop to use.
Guanica. Dove with Island Scuba. Small shop that runs a six pack that really tossed in the 4-5 ft swells. Underwater was fine. I would characterize this as a minimalist shop. They are quite nice, but it’s basically transportation to the reef. They put a DM in the water, but you manage your own dive and can do whatever you want. We basically followed along at our leisure. We did 61 minutes on the wall dive (with at least half of that actually on the wall - not the typical 15 minutes). The reef dive was 70 minutes- didn’t even turn until the 40 minute mark. No pressure to limit your dive. For us, we stopped when we got cold. It’s been said this is not for beginners and that is probably true. But this is exactly what we want from a dive op and we we loved it. Between them and Paradise (below), we would choose Island first.
We stayed at the Parador Guanica 1929. It was built as part of the old sugar mill next door. It’s a really cool old building right on the bay. Rooms are very simple. Staff was great. We dove in the morning and they gave us a later checkout at 2pm without any hesitation. We were able to shower and head out to La Parguera.
La Parguera. We dove with Paradise and they were also very good, but completely different from Island Scuba. They are a big shop and run a big boat that can hold 17 divers. With Island it was a 15 minute trip to the wall, Paradise goes to the same wall, but a little west (the part of the wall we went to with Island was nicer, but this was also quite good), and the trip was about 30 minutes. With the big swells, the larger boat was more comfortable. After the dives with IS, my ears pricked up when that announced the first dive would be 37-45 minutes. That said, once in the water we didn’t really feel limited. We were the first off and last back on and did 50 minutes on the wall and then 59 minutes of the reef. Having 11 divers in the water with a guide versus 4 with Island. Definitely a better choice for the less experienced divers. Though, the six pack was actually easier to board than the big boat in the swells because the stern of the big boat would lift out of the water and the small boat rolled with the swells. Had a sick diver on each trip so the larger boat didn’t seem better for that.
We stayed (are still staying) at Villa La Parguera. Great spot. The place is about in need of some TLC, but ok for now. Walking distance to Paradise, grocery store and restaurants. The town appears to be a weekend town - almost nothing open Mon or Tues and more opening progressively through the week.
Wish we could have done more diving. Should’ve planned better, but it’s the bio bay tonight and then off to San Juan tomorrow for a taste of the city.
We’ll be back with better planning next time.
