East Puerto Rico Scuba Diving

About Puerto Rico

When Christopher Columbus discovered Puerto Rico in 1493 he sure wasn’t aware of the fact that he found one of the most beautiful islands of the Caribbean Sea. Puerto Rico is situated south east of Florida, with Haiti and the Dominican Republic as neighbors in the west and the Virgin Islands to the east. After it’s discovery in 1493, the island enjoyed 15 more years in semi-freedom, until it was finally colonized by Spain in 1508. 13 years later, in 1521, the capital city of San Juan, was founded on the Atlantic side of the island. Puerto Rico stayed under the Spanish flag for 377 years until it was relinquished to the USA by Spain in 1898 as a result of the Spanish-American War.

Because of constitutional reforms during the early nineteenth century, the economy and the population of the island, saw a surge with hundreds of French, Corsican, Lebanese, Portuguese and Chinese families arriving in Puerto Rico. Along came large numbers of immigrants from Spain and former Spanish Colonies in South America. The local character of the island expanded to a colorful mixture of nationalities. There were other settlers like Irish, Scottish, Germans, and Italians arriving in the thousands because they were granted land from Spain during the Royal Decree of Graces in 1815 which allowed European Catholics to settle on Puerto Rico with a fair amount of free land.

Puerto Rico Today

Today Puerto Rico is a self governing, and very independent-minded, territory of the USA and enjoys a great deal of autonomy.
The climate of Puerto Rico is usually humid and hot. If you choose to wander off to higher ground, you will find some lower temperatures in the hillsides of the central and the south of the island.
During the hurricane season from May until October, Puerto Rico is like most Caribbean Islands, subject to an occasional hurricane warning.

Puerto Rico Vacations

The island has become a paradise for Caribbean cruise ships bringing visitors from around the world. The town of Old San Juan is the most popular tourist destination on Puerto Rico today.
Unlike other Caribbean islands, Puerto Rico has a very high standard of living with a vibrant industrialized economy. Puerto Rico has a fair amount of manufacturing due to favorable taxation from the U.S.

Puerto Rico in Facts and Numbers:

• Official Name: Puerto Rico, Commonwealth Territory of the USA
• Population: approx. 4,000,000 (last counted July 2003 est.)
• Capital: City San Juan – approx. 450,000 Citizens
• Land Area: 9,100 sq km
• Highest Mountain: “Cerro del Punta” 4,389 ft. (1,338m)
• Languages: Spanish, English
• Official Currency: US Dollar
• Religions: Catholic/Protestant
• Latitude/Longitude: 18º 15N, 66º 30W

Flag of Puerto Rico:

Map of Puerto Rico:

Puerto Rico Scuba Diving Tours – Scuba Diving Lessons with East Puerto Rico Diving

Welcome to Puerto Rico!

For centuries, travelers have known about Puerto Rico. It has long been a connecting point to all areas of the Caribbean. Today’s travelers are well familiar with the island as a major port of call for cruise ships, as well as for a major air terminal. Puerto Rico might well be the THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN THE CARIBBEAN !! You don’t have to go to somewhere remote and hard to get to, to see pristine, healthy,reefs and abundant aquatic life. It’s all here in Puerto Rico!

Scuba Diving Puerto Rico

East Puerto Rico Diving is located in the middle of the east shore of Puerto Rico. The east coast of the island offers most spectacular scuba diving, with visibility frequently approaching 100 ft/30 meters. On our numerous dive sites, including the island of Vieques, you will find warm, clear waters, and enjoy healthy coral reefs, with a great chance of seeing some truly remarkable sea life. Along with stingrays, eels, angelfish and jacks, very often we see dolphins, turtles, manatees, and even sometimes, passing whales!

The Best Diving in the Caribbean!

What you will rarely see, while diving with East Puerto Rico Divers, is other dive boats! Only a few, even well traveled, scuba divers know that Puerto Rico offers scuba diving that is among the best in the Caribbean, for not to say, in the world!. You will see walls, dropping off thousands of feet, you will explore coral reefs that rarely have seen divers or fisherman!
For North American divers, the Scuba Diving Paradise of Puerto Rico is usually only a two to three hour direct flight away, with NO PASSPORT REQUIRED.

Enjoy scuba diving in the morning and be back in the sophisticated world of International Hotels, Casinos, and Restaurants of Puerto Rico for dinner!

Snorkeling Puerto Rico:

The top of the list on places for snorkeling in Puerto Rico are made by Playa Esperanza and Blue Beach. The underwater world of Puerto Rico will amaze you with its beauty and tranquil movements. Occasionally, a manatee or nurse shark may glide by. Appreciate the beauty of the antler coral that thrives along the ocean floor, schools of colorful tropical fish and the clear,warm water of the Caribbean. An even better way to discover the beauty of Puerto Rico’s underwater world and to enjoy snorkeling sites, which are otherwise hard or even impossible to get to, is to join in on one of our afternoon scuba diving tours. We will bring you to the best snorkeling spots in Puerto Rico; Jump in and be amazed!

Fort El Morro

Surly one of the most visited places in Puerto Rico is Fort El Morro. Sailing into the harbor of San Juan, you will be astonished by the view of El Morro. Built by the Spanish around 1500, the massive citadel of Fort El Morro was meant to prevent their European enemies from gaining access to San Juan, the largest natural port of the Caribbean. The Fortress El Morro was attacked many times during the years and withstood many famous enemies such as Sir Francis Drake and the British fleet, who attacked the fortress in 1595 and 30 years later the entire Dutch fleet.

Old San Juan

Old San Juan is located on the western half of the small island Isleta de San Juan. It is connected to the main island by two bridges and one causeway. The 47 mi² of Old San Juan offers the visitor many attractions such as the famous Commonwealth’s Capitol and most of Puerto Rico’s central government buildings. Colonial buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th century, alongside narrow cobblestone streets, characterize the picture of Central Old San Juan. Large parts of the old city are surrounded by massive walls, defensive structures and fortresses such as Fort San Felipe del Morro and the 17th century Fort San Cristóbal. A most famous fortress is the 16th century Fort El Palacio de Santa Catalina, also known as La Fortaleza, which today serves as the Governor’s Mansion. Don’t forget your camera, there are pictures to take on every corner of the town!

Beach Vacations:

A number of travelers already know about the white sandy beaches of Puerto Rico. One of the most photographed beaches in Puerto Rico is situated not far from East Puerto Rico Diving. Luquillo Beach lays about 30 miles east of San Juan an is known to be the most family friendly beach of Puerto Rico. A coral reef, perfectly placed to limit the rough oceans, evident at some other beaches in Puerto Rico, keeps the water in the bay calm, clear and warm. Luquillo Beach is well suited for families with small children. The beach provides Picnic Areas, Changing Rooms and Showers.

Surfing Little Malibu

Another famous beach in Puerto Rico is Playa Higuero which served for the world surfing championships. Playa Higuero is a world-class surfing beach also known as “Little Malibu”. The beach of Playa Higuero commonly experiences 16 foot wave breakers waiting to challenge even experienced surf boarders. There are many more beaches, one more beautiful than the other, on Puerto Rico. Some of them are secret, hidden spots like Rosado Beach, a quiet little cove providing the ultimate place to escape the busier beaches of Puerto Rico. The access to Rosado Beach can be a bit tricky. Our staff will be happy to provide you with more information about the most beautiful beaches of Puerto Rico, and how to get there best.

El Yunque:

Visit El Yunque; the only sub tropical rain forest in the U.S. Forest Service System. Flourishing on the eastern side of the steep mountains of Luquillo, with it’s 28,000 acres of lush, tropical vegetation, El Yunque, remains the last virgin rain forest on the island and the largest stretch of pristine forest under public domain in Puerto Rico. El Yunque has welcomed more than one million visitors since it‘s opening in 1996!

We hope that we where able to give you a little insight in Puerto Rico and of what you can expect on your Puerto Rico Vacations. We will add more specific content on many aspects of Puerto Rico, Scuba Diving Lessons and our Scuba Diving Tours over time. Check back here frequently to find new pictures of the island, the spectacular Puerto Rican underwater world, the rain forest and it’s inhabitants, and of course, of our guests and ourselves.

Please feel free use our Contact Form for further inquiries and/or reservations.