At just over 9,000 square kilometres, and with a population rapidly approaching 4 million, Puerto Rico is one of the larger Caribbean islands.
As for the scuba diving, Puerto Rico certainly has lots to offer divers, both experienced and new. Amazing reefs, spectacular walls, intriguing caverns, and mangrove-topped cays define the tropical waters that surround the island. They form the backdrop for dives that are as dazzling as any found in the Caribbean and as diverse as its marine life. Large numbers of fish co-exist with endangered manatees and humpback whales and corals abound.
Since diving in Puerto Rico is one of the Caribbean's best-kept secrets, with many of the sites there remain untouched. Diving in Puerto Rico is the next best thing to slipping into an aquarium. Ocean temperatures range from 77 degrees to 84 degrees F (25 degrees to 28 degrees C) and underwater visibility averages 60 to 75 feet (18 to 23 meters), with offshore visibility of 100 feet and beyond.
The dive options are as varied as the sites themselves. Explore reefs that lie within a splash of your hotel room, or ones that fringe remote islets far from shore. You can see just about every submarine tropical landscape that divers love: overhangs, tunnels, lava tubes, caves. Among the countless sea creatures do flying gurnards, arrow crabs, octopus and sea horses co-exist along with countless kinds of corals, sponges and other underwater flora and fauna. A night dive in the bioluminescent bay will fascinate your senses. On the southwest coast, a spectacular wall of Black Coral that descends about 120 feet provides a unique experience. Also on the west coast of the island, divers will find two off the coast islands, which are national wildlife reserves and scuba diving sanctuaries. Desecheo Island offers great diving sites of undisturbed coral formations, variety of reef fish, angels, jacks and sharks. Mona Island, considered by many the Galapagos of the Caribbean, is known for its unique species and its home to sea turtles, dolphins and a wide variety of rare marine life. This cavernous island has underwater fallen boulders that create crevices and tunnels with abundant marine life.
Start your scuba diving experience with an easy half-day resort course, or enjoy an advanced dive 100 feet below the surface. Puerto Rico has beach dives, shallow dives, boat dives, wall and ledge dives, night dives, cave and wreck dives, and they are all memorable.
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