Puerto Vallarta Scuba Diving

Puerto Vallarta Scuba Diving Cruises

Does Banderas Bay beckon to you? Deep blue and expansive, the view from land only skims the surface. These waters appear to mirror the tranquillity of the sky... how deceptive. Teaming with life, Banderas Bay more closely resembles the surrounding geography, with its floor, a mate to the ridgelines and mountains above. Diving is the only true way to see all of the treasures of the Bay. Puerto Vallarta Scuba Diving site is known for the diversity of fish, its stunning sub aquatic panoramas, and the mystical sensation of swimming amidst extraordinary sea life.

In the winter months, humpback whales migrate to local waters, and divers remark on the peaceful feeling they are left with after listening to their tonal songs under water. During the summer, sea turtles seem to fly past you, their swimming speed in complete contrast to their stodgy land maneuvers. And all year long, colorful tropical, majestic game fish and other marine life playfully populate the bay.

According to Gordon Sanders, Certified Master Instructor and head of Vallarta Adventure's dive program, "There is nothing more magnificent than to come upon a giant pacific manta, 20 feet wide.

These creatures are gentle giants and they want to look at you. If that doesn't touch your heart, then you're stone cold!" He recommends that divers invert every once in awhile to see them. Mantas traverse the bay, and the potential to see them exists no matter which dive site you select. Sanders comments that he has seen groups of over 100 dolphins in one spot, all leaping and playing, almost as if performing for the divers in the boat, awaiting the chance to join them in the water.

Rodolfo Lamprecht, owner of Chico's Dive Shop, states that while Banderas Bay may not be known as a dive destination, it should be, and is increasing its renown as a place of great dives, quality equipment and a variety of facilities for training. "Vallarta is one of the best training sites that I've ever seen because of the diversity," states Sanders, "There are good sites for beginning divers to feel comfortable, but there are also sites that take you close to the edge, if you're looking for that type of experience."

Puerto Vallarta Scuba Diving Sites

What can you see? In addition to a varied collection of colorful tropical fish, Lamprecht lists tunas the size of small torpedoes and a cornucopia of eels, generally found along the southern shore, in sites like Caletas and Mahajuitas, where the bottom is sandy. "These sites make for nice, relaxing dives," he states. Another popular site is the Marietas Islands, where whales congregate when in the bay.

Los Arcos also offers divers a steep drop along a wall. Dismissed by many because of the snarl of daytime snorkeling boat traffic, Lamprecht assures, "It is still very popular for fish, and it's the best site for night diving." the advanced site of El Morro is surrounded by depths of 120-130 feet, with pinnacles, crevices and walls. "It's a very exciting site, " says Lamprecht, who compares swimming around the precipice to flying around a huge building.

Both Sanders and Lamprecht concur that Puerto Vallarta Scuba Diving offers advantages, no matter the season. "In the winter, the plankton groups are more abundant, which diminishes visibility slightly, but brings in more mantas and the whale populations," states Sanders. "summer is wonderful, " adds Lamprecht. "The water is warm and comfortable with visibility of 80-120 feet outside the bay."

"There's nothing better to do in life than dive," Lamprecht states with convition. "Wherever you come from, you owe it to yourself to try it, and you might as well do it here and now. You may not have another chance and in Puerto Vallarta it's easy to learn, and spectacular to do. There are no excuses."

Home | Fishing : About Us Generations Of Experience Fishing in Vallarta Our Fishing Trips Our Boats Customer Testimonials Reservations Photo Gallery FAQ | Cruises : Sailing Remote Beach Cruises Snorkeling Cruises Puerto Vallarta Scuba Diving Whale and Dolphin Watching Pirate Ships Private Yachts Rhythms of the Night Sunset Cruise | Adventure Tours : Eco Adventures Remote Beaches Swim with the Dolphins City Tour Wild ATV Tours Discover San Blas San Sabastian Jeep Tours San Sabastian Air Adventure | About Us | Reservations | Contact Us

Puerto Vallarta Scuba Diving