Diving and Snorkeling in Puerto Rico

The continental shelf surrounding Puerto Rico is home to several coral reef formations that help various forms of sea life thrive.

Just off of the island's South, East, and West coasts, there is extraordinary aquatic life flourishing within the reefs, and the water is perfect for diving. With underwater caves, seawalls created by the continental shelf, trenches, and many more spectacular marine sites, snorkelers and divers will find that Puerto Rico's waters are great for exploration.

Ocean Paradise

The temperature of the ocean waters surrounding Puerto Rico is warm, staying fairly consistent almost year-round at approximately 81 degrees Fahrenheit. Underwater visibility is quite clear at about 60 to 75 feet just off shore, and if you go farther out into the ocean, you can see up to 100 feet or more into the depths of Puerto Rico's crystalline waters.

The vivid array of sea life living beneath the waves off the coast of Puerto is enough reason to plan a scuba-diving or snorkeling trip during your vacation. Snorkelers and divers can swim alongside a number of colorful fish species including lobsters, grouper, and a multitude of other aquatic animal species.

Not only are the cities of Puerto Rico rich with history, and brimming from fascinating architecture and culture, but the underwater world surrounding this island country has its own stories of the past to tell. Artifacts that were sunken by powerful hurricanes, including ships and even a 500-pound cannon dating back to the Dutch invasion of 1625, now lie at the sea floor. The submerged relics make the perfect treasures for scuba divers and snorkelers to seek during underwater explorations.

Best Dive Sites

The best dive sites to see while vacationing in Puerto Rico are off of the island's South, East, and West coasts. Off of Puerto Rico's East Coast, a chain of small islands leading toward Culebra closes off the moderate warm waters of the Caribbean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean. Moving southeast, near Humaco, vacationers will find that some of the largest creatures of the sea return to these waters annually. If you're visiting Puerto Rico during the right time of year, you may be able to spot a herd of migrating manatees or a pod of whales.

More seasoned divers will enjoy a scuba adventure to the Great Trench just off the South Coast. Also off of the South Coast, between the cities of La Parguera and Guanica, curious scuba divers can inspect seawalls and underwater caves to discover surprising marine life. About three hours away from the capital city of San Juan is Mona Island, whose waters are home to unspoiled coral reefs located at depths of around 80 feet.

Dive Shops

When planning a vacation to Puerto Rico, travelers who wish to explore the waters will have to locate a dive shop to obtain diving and snorkel equipment, charter a boat, and, if you're a beginner, take a few classes on diving.  Introductory courses can be found at resorts and dive shops for around $100(USD), and you can expect to spend between $60 and $150(USD) on a one or two tank dive and all of the necessary diving equipment. 

Dive companies can assist you in getting all the right gear you need to explore the depths of the salty sea, and they can also escort you to the best dive spots around the island on a charter boat.

Best Snorkeling

The crystal-clear blue waters of the Caribbean around the southern shores of Puerto Rico are ideal for snorkeling. The best places for snorkeling while visiting Puerto Rico are off the shores of Vieques and Culebra , which are two of the country's remote islets. These two offshore nature islands lie just off the mainland and are generally less frequented than the more popular tourist destinations on Puerto Rico. But if you want to stay on the mainland, you could explore the beautiful coral formations off the shores of Fajardo, which is east of San Juan and located in Puerto Rico's serene East Coast. Fajardo offers some of the best snorkeling off the mainland, and here you won't have to wade through hoards of tourists who visit the island's more popular beaches.

The sea waters near Puerto Rico's capital city of San Juan tend to get a little crowded because the city is so popular with tourists. Other places snorkelers may choose to avoid are the waters of the Atlantic Ocean around the island's North Coast because ocean waters can be choppy and turbulent, making them unsafe for swimming and snorkeling. The waves of the Atlantic are more popular among surfers and windsurfers.

Novice snorkelers and those who feel more comfortable exploring underwater with a knowledgeable guide nearby, might choose to book a snorkeling tour, rather than go it alone.  You can typically find these hosted by local dive shops for about $50(USD).  The price tag includes equipment, transportation to the site, and usually a snack or meal.

Words of Caution

Scuba diving and snorkeling are great ways to enjoy a Caribbean vacation in Puerto Rico, but there are some safety precautions underwater adventurers should consider. First, always be aware of your surroundings while in the ocean. It's easy to drift far away from your starting point without even noticing. Also, take note of the time, and don't remove anything from the water. This is illegal, and you could face a heavy fine. Beware of jellyfish, urchins, and other stinging ocean animals when walking in the shallows. Shuffle your feet on the ocean floor.

The Caribbean Sea is teeming with amazing ocean life that adventurous vacationers won't want to miss. When visiting Puerto Rico, be sure to check out the local sea life on a scuba-diving or snorkeling trip.