Puerto Vallarta Dive Outfitters

[smokeyslc]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a company in the area?
This will be our 1st real dive and we'd prefer a smaller group if possible.
Thanks!

[rayaa3]

I was there doing some diving in 2007 - let me see if I can find some info on the shop I used. What time of year are you going?

[rayaa3]

Here is a trip report I did on the other board - a couple of years ago (July 2007) I edited and added some info all of my added info is in Red.

Puerto Vallarta diving - trip report
I just finished a trip to Puerto Vallarta - I've been there twice and dove with Pacific scuba both times.

http://www.pacificscuba.com.mx/

(edit: this shop seems to have a newer site, I think they were absorbed by another shop in the area, so I don't know how much this will help you)

The first trip was in May - and conditions were 'ok' vis was about 30 feet, and water temp dipped down to 68 degrees at 80 feet. We wore 5mil suits...and some folks had to wear hoods. However even on this trip - with the limited vis - I had a nice trip. I saw lots of stingrays - I mean LOTS...puffer fish everywhere, a couple of big eels - and whats more is in the lower vis it seems the eels come out alot more - so instead of a little eel tucked away I was treated to 2 feet of long protruding eel coming out of the rocks. Nice.

I'm told visibility gets better the longer into the summer - with the best being August, September, October.

So - when I went back last week (I was there near the end of July)- I was impressed at how much conditions had changed - the water was warmer 85 at the surface, 78 at depth - for the first time ever I dove with no wetsuit (I'll never do that again - more on that later) The water was warm and comfortable at depth. The vis is up to about 50 feet - which in the carribean is just ok - but really opened up the dive site in PV. I dove Marietes, and it was AMAZING. I saw octopus and the same suprising appearances of eels out in the middle of everything feeding and showing themselves...but the crown jewel was on the second dive - we spotted a sea turtle aboves us about 15 feet away, but then in the background of the sea turtle about another 15 feet back, we saw the giant outline of a HUGE MANATA RAY. OK - I've heard about them and knew it would be neat to see - but there are no words. This beautiful animal is the most gracefull swimmer I have ever seen - its very much like seeing a a glider gently cut through the air. The silhouette will not leave my mind for some time I promise you.

PV is a different kind of scuba trip - but its definitely a trip worth making - I don't think I would go anytime in the year before July.

edit: if water is warm, don't be fooled, wear some type of suit - jellies will get you!

OK - now a word about pacific scuba - these guys are great - visit the site - and call them when you get to town - ask them where they are going that week...they make their decisions based on conditions at the various sites. Most sites take about an hour by boat from the pier - sorry - its just part of the deal. The boats are small fast boats - about 24 feet long - and they seem to take out no more than 6 divers at once - in two groups with 2 dive masters. They divide the group up by experience - which is best for everyone involved. The more experienced group usually has better air use and gets a bit more bottom time. On my last trip - I dove with another diver and the dive master in the more experienced group, and the other group was a family of 3 with the dive master - it was great. I got a nice 54 minute 72 foot dive - and the family got a lot of personal attention for their 16 year old daughter on her 2nd trip out.

at any rate - thank you to the guys at pacific scuba for a great trip - see you next time I find myself in town.

When I visit the site it pushes me to Scuba diving puerto Vallarta Vallarta Undersea :: Escuela de Buceo Vallarta Under Sea - Scuba Diving I don't know anything about these guys...they could be great they could be not so great. Most of the diving I saw (including other shops) were 6 divers to a boat. The boats are small, the trips to the dive sites are as much as 1 hour 20 minutes. We dove isla marietas every time. The good shops won't tell you what site they are going to visit until the day before, because they base their decision on vis the previous day. This will not be cozumel, there will be no 100ft vis (no matter what you read on a dive shop website) if you get 60ft vis then you had a great day. That being said, if I ever go back, I'll take my gear and dive again. However, after two trips - I'de rather go to cozumel or cancun. Hope this info helps.

[MxDiver]

Here are a couple ops you can check out.
My Homepage
http://www.pvscuba.com/
I have not tried either one myself, but I heard good things about them on the other board.

[smokeyslc]

Wow! Great info.
Thanks everyone!
We're thinking Oct or Nov.
Will let you know how it goes.

[MxDiver]

NP, I go to PV several times a year let me know when the date is closer and I´ll try to give you more information, or if I happen to be there I´ll show you first hand.