Puerto Rico in February

"M@" <mattcushing@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1127326684.529062.176120@o13g2000cwo.googlegr oups.com...

> Has anyone ever been there before and liked it? I am going to be
> staying in the Isla Verde section, which from what I understand is near
> Old San Juan (North East end of the island?).

Supposedly some people have like it, but you're unfortunately on the wrong
corner of the island. All the good stuff, the supposedly good stuff, is on
the SE corner. Where you're staying, the best bet is to drive down to
Farjardo or Humacao, but it's still sort of lousy.

> I've only been diving in Aruba and been certified in June, so I am not
> a huge experienced diver, nor do I have time or money enough to go for
> the overnight trips to the smaller islands I have heard of (Culebra I
> think one is called).

Culebra and Vieques are also rumored to have decent diving. But you are
correct in that they require overnight stays, because of the quirky ferry
schedule. Another option may be to find a mainland dive op that runs a
weekly trip out that way, but I had no such luck during my stay. The shops
that claimed to offer trips there all claimed they didn't have any boats
going out that week even though it was a prime week (mid-March).

> Any advice is appreciated.

Go elsewhere. Bonaire isn't too far.

IMO, it probably wasn't a true case of spam, but rather an
over-enthusiatic novice from the island who didn't lurk before posting.

Be that as it may, i've visited the isla verde region twice, both times
with my dive gear.

The first time, I learned that the local PR diving was pretty poor.

The second time, we took advantage of San Juan Airport's role as a
gateway gun to places that we don't have direct flights to and after my
business conference was over, left the island to go elsewhere.


-hh

> Has anyone ever been there before and liked it? I am going to be
> staying in the Isla Verde section, which from what I understand is near
> Old San Juan (North East end of the island?).

I've been twice to Puerto Rico for diving, and I agree/disagree with the
other posts. Here's what I found:
Go to the southeast corner of the island. There is a reef system not too
far from the coast that is very healthy and not worn out by too much diving
activity. I know of two dive companies that will take you out in that area.
The first is La Parguera (Divers?, Diving?, something like that - your hotel
should have the exact name and contact info.) It's located in the small
town of La Parguera. Cool little town, but if you're looking for the
typical westernized resort town with Hiltons and Sheratons, this is not it.
But the locals are great, will welcome in anybody, and the equipment was
good, modern, well maintained and safe. The captain was great, and the crew
was very accomodating. It's several hours from Isla Verde, so maybe an
overnight side-trip would be better. The second place is through the Copa
Marina Resort, which takes you to the same reef system as La Parguera. I
tried to dive with them on two occasions, and on both times, they told me
that they're certificates had been suspended and they're "working on the
problem." They wouldn't tell me why the certificates were suspended despite
my asking several times, and the captain/dive master at the Copa Marina had
too much arrogance / attitude for me; he seemed more interested in his
tanning and sunglasses than diving. They may be good, but my experience
with them was not, so I cannot recommend them.
There is diving closer to your section of the island that does not require
overnight stays, live-aboards, ferries, etc. You can dive off of Fajardo,
and there are several companies who take you out from Fajardo. However, due
to its location, there is often a strong current. This may not be
comfortable for a new diver, and the visibility is limited due to the
current stirring up sediment. The current and viz not withstanding, there
is some okay diving in the area. However, if you're looking for a nice reef
with good marine life - morays, soldier fish, black coral (rare), etc., the
southeastern reef is the way to go. I really enjoyed it both times.

Disclosure: I've visited PR about 5 times, I don't own anything in PR, nor
do I own any interest in any companies in PR, including dive companies. The
above information is based only on my experience.

Hope this helps!
MH

p.s. - I can email you some pictures if you're seriously interested.
Contact me at dudley5nospam@rcn.nospam.com (obviously, remove the 2
"nospam"s)

"dudley" <dudley5@rcn.comnospam> wrote in message
news:ebCdnakz-om6taveRVn-og@rcn.net...

> I've been twice to Puerto Rico for diving, and I agree/disagree with the
> other posts. Here's what I found:

It's good you agree/disagree. Otherwise we'd have something to
disagree/agree about.

> Go to the southeast corner of the island. There is a reef system not too

Sure. Just go there. But don't forget to tell them that it's a 2.5 hour
drive if you drive like me, more if you drive slower.

> overnight side-trip would be better. The second place is through the Copa
> Marina Resort, which takes you to the same reef system as La Parguera. I
> tried to dive with them on two occasions, and on both times, they told me

I dove with them just fine. Maybe it's you.

> my asking several times, and the captain/dive master at the Copa Marina
> had
> too much arrogance / attitude for me; he seemed more interested in his
> tanning and sunglasses than diving. They may be good, but my experience

Our cap was Bam Bam, purportedly a local cop, and he sure had arrogance to
match. But that suited me just fine and he called me up top to sit with him
after telling Janna that I was safe with him because he was only a part-time
homosexual. Maybe you rub people the wrong way. Everyone loves me.

> There is diving closer to your section of the island that does not require
> overnight stays, live-aboards, ferries, etc. You can dive off of Fajardo,
> and there are several companies who take you out from Fajardo. However,
> due
> to its location, there is often a strong current. This may not be
> comfortable for a new diver, and the visibility is limited due to the
> current stirring up sediment. The current and viz not withstanding, there
> is some okay diving in the area. However, if you're looking for a nice
> reef
> with good marine life - morays, soldier fish, black coral (rare), etc.,
> the
> southeastern reef is the way to go. I really enjoyed it both times.

Actually, the shitty viz at Fajardo has nothing to do with current. If
current caused shitty viz, Cozumel would suck.

> Disclosure: I've visited PR about 5 times, I don't own anything in PR,
> nor

And where else other than PR have you dove, pray tell? Jamaica?

"Greg Mossman" wrote

> Our cap was Bam Bam, purportedly a local cop, and he sure had arrogance to
> match. But that suited me just fine and he called me up top to sit with
> him after telling Janna that I was safe with him because he was only a
> part-time homosexual. Maybe you rub people the wrong way. Everyone loves
> me.

Hmm, You're admitting to being happy on the flybridge with a gun toting part
time homosexual and that everybody loves you, all in one paragraph. I aways
thought it was a figure of speech when others called you a whore. Somehow,
this puts everthing in a new perspective.

Lee

"Lee Bell" <leebell@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:Y_QZe.4327$QE1.3451@newsread2.news.atl.earthl ink.net...
> "Greg Mossman" wrote
>
>> Our cap was Bam Bam, purportedly a local cop, and he sure had arrogance
>> to match. But that suited me just fine and he called me up top to sit
>> with him after telling Janna that I was safe with him because he was only
>> a part-time homosexual. Maybe you rub people the wrong way. Everyone
>> loves me.
>
> Hmm, You're admitting to being happy on the flybridge with a gun toting
> part time homosexual and that everybody loves you, all in one paragraph.
> I aways thought it was a figure of speech when others called you a whore.
> Somehow, this puts everthing in a new perspective.

I think he was joking about the homosexual part, I stayed a lot drier in the
big swells we were fording through, and I was the one paying for the
experience. If that makes me a whore, so be it. And if you're wearing your
speedos, I ain't visiting you on the flybridge for any price. We whores
have our limits.

"Greg Mossman" wrote

>> Hmm, You're admitting to being happy on the flybridge with a gun toting
>> part time homosexual and that everybody loves you, all in one paragraph.
>> I aways thought it was a figure of speech when others called you a whore.
>> Somehow, this puts everthing in a new perspective.

> I think he was joking about the homosexual part . . .

One can only hope. Of course, if he knew you were from California, he may
have made some assumptions you would not be comfortable with.

> I stayed a lot drier in the big swells we were fording through, and I was
> the one paying for the experience. If that makes me a whore, so be it.

Actually, whore was probably incorrect, unless you were charging. Make it
slut instead.

> And if you're wearing your speedos, I ain't visiting you on the flybridge
> for any price.

You got that right.

> We whores have our limits.

Everyone needs to know their limits.

Lee

"Lee Bell" <leebell@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:PWVZe.5314$q1.2353@newsread3.news.atl.earthli nk.net...

>> I think he was joking about the homosexual part . . .
>
> One can only hope. Of course, if he knew you were from California, he may
> have made some assumptions you would not be comfortable with.

Saying you're from California is almost as bad as saying you're from
Florida. But you're OK. Those speedos make you look real macho.

> Actually, whore was probably incorrect, unless you were charging. Make it
> slut instead.

Thank you. A dive slut.

>> And if you're wearing your speedos, I ain't visiting you on the flybridge
>> for any price.
>
> You got that right.

Besides, you're not my type.

> Everyone needs to know their limits.

It's more important to know the limits of others.

Hey guys,

I've read some posts about Puerto Rico, seen some serious amounts of
angry being thrown around by people pissed at others for posting
advertising for the places.

Has anyone ever been there before and liked it? I am going to be
staying in the Isla Verde section, which from what I understand is near
Old San Juan (North East end of the island?).

I've only been diving in Aruba and been certified in June, so I am not
a huge experienced diver, nor do I have time or money enough to go for
the overnight trips to the smaller islands I have heard of (Culebra I
think one is called).

Any advice is appreciated.

M@

"M@" <mattcushing@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1127326684.529062.176120@o13g2000cwo.googlegr oups.com...

> Has anyone ever been there before and liked it? I am going to be
> staying in the Isla Verde section, which from what I understand is near
> Old San Juan (North East end of the island?).

Supposedly some people have like it, but you're unfortunately on the wrong
corner of the island. All the good stuff, the supposedly good stuff, is on
the SE corner. Where you're staying, the best bet is to drive down to
Farjardo or Humacao, but it's still sort of lousy.

> I've only been diving in Aruba and been certified in June, so I am not
> a huge experienced diver, nor do I have time or money enough to go for
> the overnight trips to the smaller islands I have heard of (Culebra I
> think one is called).

Culebra and Vieques are also rumored to have decent diving. But you are
correct in that they require overnight stays, because of the quirky ferry
schedule. Another option may be to find a mainland dive op that runs a
weekly trip out that way, but I had no such luck during my stay. The shops
that claimed to offer trips there all claimed they didn't have any boats
going out that week even though it was a prime week (mid-March).

> Any advice is appreciated.

Go elsewhere. Bonaire isn't too far.