Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Scuba Diving -- The continental shelf, which surrounds Puerto Rico on three sides, is responsible for an abundance of coral reefs, caves, sea walls, and trenches for scuba diving and snorkeling.

Open-water reefs off the southeastern coast near Humacao are visited by migrating whales and manatees. Many caves are located near Isabela on the west coast. The Great Trench, off the island's south coast, is ideal for experienced open-water divers. Caves and the sea wall at La Parguera are also favorites. Vieques and Culebra islands have coral formations. Mona Island offers unspoiled reefs at depths averaging 80 feet (24m); seals are one of the attractions. Uninhabited islands, such as Icacos, off the northeastern coast near Fajardo, are also popular with both snorkelers and divers.

These sites are now within reach because many of Puerto Rico's dive operators and resorts offer packages that include daily or twice-daily dives, scuba equipment, instruction, and excursions to Puerto Rico's popular attractions.

In San Juan, Caribe Aquatic Adventures offers an array of sailing, scuba, and snorkeling trips, as well as boat charters and fishing.

Elsewhere on the island, several other companies offer scuba and snorkeling instruction.

Snorkeling -- Because of its overpopulation, the waters around San Juan aren't the most ideal for snorkeling. In fact, the entire north shore of Puerto Rico fronts the Atlantic, where the waters are often turbulent. Windsurfers-not snorkelers-gravitate to the waves and surf in the northwest.

The most ideal conditions for snorkeling in Puerto Rico are along the shores of the remote islands of Vieques and Culebra.

The best snorkeling on the main island is found near the town of Fajardo, to the east of San Juan and along the tranquil eastern coast.

The calm, glasslike quality of the clear Caribbean along the south shore is also ideal for snorkeling. The most developed tourist mecca here is the city of Ponce. Few rivers empty their muddy waters into the sea along the south coast, resulting in gin-clear waters offshore. You can snorkel off the coast without having to go on a boat trip. One good place is at Playa La Parguera, where you can rent snorkeling equipment from kiosks along the beach. This beach lies east of the town of Guánica, to the east of Ponce. Here tropical fish add to the brightness of the water, which is generally turquoise. The addition of mangrove cays in the area also makes La Parguera more alluring for snorkelers. Another good spot for snorkelers is Caja de Muertos off the coast of Ponce. Here a lagoon coral reef boasts a large number of fish species.