Diving and Snorkeling in Puerto Rico

The diving is excellent off Puerto Rico's south, east, and west coasts, as well as its nearby islands. Particularly striking are dramatic walls created by a continental shelf off the south coast near La Parguera and Guánica. There's also some fantastic diving near Fajardo and around Vieques and Culebra, two small islands off the east coast. It's best to choose specific locations with the help of a guide or outfitter. Escorted half-day dives range from $65 to $100 for one or two tanks, including all equipment; in general, double those prices for night dives. Packages that include lunch and other extras are more. Snorkeling excursions, which include transportation, equipment rental, and sometimes lunch, start at $50. Equipment rents for about $5 to $10.

Near Gate 5 of the old Ramey Air Force Base, Aquatica (Rte. 110, Km 10, 00605. 787/890-6071) offers scuba-diving certification courses as well as snorkeling and surfing trips. Culebra Divers (4 Calle Pedro Marquez, Dewey, Culebra, 00775. 787/742-0803. www.culebradivers.com), run by Monica and Walter Rieder, caters to those who are new to scuba diving. You travel to dive sites on one of the company's pair of 26-foot cabin cruisers. One-tank dives are $65, and two-tank dives are $95. The office is in downtown Dewey, across from the ferry terminal.

At Sea Ventures Pro Dive Center (Puerto del Rey Marina, Rte. 3, Km 51.4, Fajardo, 00738. 787/863-3483. www.divepuertorico.com) you can get PADI certified, arrange dive trips to 20 offshore sites, or organize boating and sailing excursions. A two-tank dive for certified divers, including equipment, is $99.