Snorkeling in Peurto Rico?

[gholtmeyer]

Ok, the family is going to Peurto Rico for Christmas. Where is the good snorkeling? I have never been snorkeling or scuba diving. But the mask at local shop there? I asked the guy that we are renting the house from if he had any snorkeling stuff and he responded that he did not but there was a Wal-mart close. Is the equipment pretty much the same or some better than others? Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

 

[dherrera83]

I was in puerto rico not too long ago and the hotel had some and then i whent to another beach and got some snorkeling stuff at walmart and they looked the same. So i think you should be fine, its not that expensive. Think it was 20 bucks for both goggles and fins. But i dont think you need to get one for each, you might be able to get away with just 2-3 sets since you can only do it for so long. after 15 min most fam members get bored.

Unless your like me i stayed in for a while... lol

BTW there is an inforamtions center in every hotel and it has all the information you need. I guess i got lucky both the hotel and beach i visisted has fish and somewhat corals... lol

 

[James]

All masks are not created equal. I would at least try a couple out here in the states and make sure the seal is good in case the stores in PR don't have options that fit well. Nothing worse than having a week or two vacation and having a leaky or foggy mask.

 

[dherrera83]

Im sure they are better masks but in my case it was more of thinking if it makes financial sence in investing on a mask that i was only going to use for a few minutes each otherday for 1-2 weeks. - Traveling with a family gets expensive.

If it does leak alittle (mine didnt) just blow through your nose and hold your mask. The water will come right out.

 

[James]

If you are only in using it for a couple of minutes a day, then yeah I guess it doesn't matter what mask you get. When I snorkle I do so for hours but I guess it depends on where you are or how interested you are in what you are seeing. If you are going to spend any time in the water a good mask is a good investment if possible, you will probably use a mask on more than one trip in your lifetime. It's also just my wife and I, no kids so I don't think about buying 3 or 4 of everything, which would suck.

 

[Killarsox]

I'd spend a few extra $ on a mask.
Nothing worse than your mask leaking the whole time.
Go to your local dive store and try on a few masks to see which fits best.

LeisurePro is a great online site for ordering.

 

[gholtmeyer]

Great and thanks. So for those of you who have been to PR snorkeling, do they have decent reefs? I am not expecting something as good as whats out in the Pacific coral wise, but ....

 

[dherrera83]

Do a google search. I did get to see much coral but there was alot of fish. All types from damsels, tangs, wrasse and they are all much bigger then the ones in captivity.

 

[Hefe-Weizen]

Be careful snorkeling without a guide during the winter months. The water is very ruff and without knowledge of the area you could get injured or killed.

I snorkel here in the summer. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Re...r_Villas_del_Mar_Hau-Isabela_Puerto_Rico.html

It's called Montones Beach. There is a big reef behind the rock right off the beach. There is also a Manatee that cruises the reefs near there. There is another beach called Heaven near there as well. You would have to ask around at the dive shops in Isabela to find where they are. None are marked.

http://www.nogafoto.com/Photography/surfart/15937049_HT74nf/7/1256927046_CGBH9Ng#1256927046_CGBH9Ng