SCUBA DIVING IN PUERTO RICO

This small, uninhabited island located off the coast of Rincon boasts some of the most unspoiled coral reefs in Puerto Rico. A 45-minute boat ride will take you to this National Wildlife Refuge that has more than 20 dive sites. Most popular with intermediate divers is the aptly-named Candyland—a kaleidoscopic reef filled with tropical fish (think: giant sea fans and stoplight parrotfish), colorful sponges and more. This is also where you’ll find one of Puerto Rico’s most chilled-out dives—Las Cuevas (the Caves). With a maximum depth of 30 feet, this one’s great for swim-throughs and beginner divers.

For beginner divers, the island of Vieques (located about 7 miles east of the main island) offers sheltered waters, great visibility and a variety of gorgeous coral reefs. Favorite diving spots include Rompeolas (or Mosquito Pier), Blue Tang Reef and Lobster Reef, where you just might bump into a turtle, dolphin or manatee. Stay locally to soak up the white-sand beaches and bustling restaurants, or take a boat from the big island.

Dubbed the “Galapagos of the Caribbean,” Mona Island in western Puerto Rico isn’t the easiest diving site to get to (the 50-mile ride can be bumpy) but its clear waters and diverse marine life make it well worth the trip. Explore the many coral reefs, grottos and drop-offs teaming with turtles, dolphins, marlins and even whales during the winter migration season. But note that unpredictable currents make this site best suited for expert divers.

About a 45-minute trip off the coast of La Parguera is where you’ll find Puerto Rico’s most famous diving spot—the Black Wall. This 22 mile-long stretch features drop-offs of over 1,500 feet and magnificent coral formations including staghorn, elkhorn and black coral gardens. Especially popular with advanced divers is Fallen Rock, a passageway formed thousands of years ago that’s now home to stunning coral forests, octopi, sharks and barracuda.

Fajardo offers great scuba diving for beginners and above. Expect to see plenty of sea turtles and nurse sharks while exploring underwater. With easy access by boat to islands off the coast, Fajardo is a great place to start a dive adventure. You can access the Sand Slide dive from here where you’ll see lobsters, moray eels, puffer fish, and spotted eagle rays. You might even get a glimpse of a dolphin.

Calm and clear waters make this small island (located approximately 17 miles north-east of Puerto Rico) an excellent diving spot for beginners. In these shallow waters, divers can expect to see lush coral reefs, brightly-colored fish and gliding turtles. Once here, don’t miss out on the gorgeous sandy beaches.