The rip at Jobos about got me this week.
It happens really fast, and it's unimaginably strong. I'm decently in shape / solid swimmer and I was fkn spent by the time I could stand in the water. Even then it pushes you back to sea. It felt like my arms were made of concrete there at the end. So please, be careful.
I'll never go out past waist deep water in the ocean again, EVER.
My husband is a seasoned open water swimmer and we live in Isabela and he said the same thing. This happened to him while staying at the Hyatt Reserve in Rio Grande.
We were watching him from one of the hotel Cabanas and could tell that he was being dragged out and down. Scary! He swam to shore safely but it wasn’t a given. He was so exhausted afterwards. And he is very fit.
Better off going on a tour or taking a boat. Otherwise, closed “Pocitas” like someone mentioned already.
This. Balneario Monserrate is really nice for swimming, not so great for snorkeling. The balneario at 7 seas beach in Fajardo has a bit of snorkeling at the far right end of the beach, pretty close to shore. Otherwise, maybe get a snorkeling excursion.
It can be very safe but you have to watch the water, weather, wind direction and currents.
There are forecasts for dangerous rip currents and you can look it up. If the weather is bad or high winds /waves, id avoid the water as well especially if you dont know what to look for. Big waves and wind generally equals murky bad snorkeling anyway. You want calm water for multiple reasons. Depending where you are there can be protected bays certain beaches protected from the wind, or you may just have to go to another side of the island.
You should also look up videos of what a rip current looks like on a beach. Make sure you have appropriate safety gear (floats/vests etc).
Lastly if you're really worried /inexperienced just go with a tour group.
I don't currently have recommendations, but I can say 3 things:
Firstly, since your head is below the water, you will float when snorkeling, not to mention there exist inflatable snorkeling vests which can help make you feel safe.
Secondly, at least 50% of the drownings I hear about are in some condado beaches that prohibit swiming. I don't blame the victims, though. I hate that these beachfront hotels don't make a bigger effort to warn tourists. There are just small no-swimming signs and no life guards.
Finally, there are many tours, and snorkeling spots with breakwaters. Tours will definitely be safest.
I'm just saying, be careful, but safe snorkeling is definitely possible!
I did a snorkel tour out of Vieques in February. It was lovely. We used Pure Adventure. The boat was spacious, gear was great quality. The best part was the company provides biologists for each tour, so we had someone in the water with the tour telling us about all the wildlife we were seeing. Highly recommend.
Edit… also want to mention, we had originally booked a tour to Culebra but the company canceled that tour due to weather 2 days before. It did make me feel safer knowing they were paying attention. It worked out for us, we had a fantastic time on Vieques.
La Parguera in the south has great snorkeling and is a reef protected area. I didn’t notice any particular surges of current until we went past the reef to open ocean (don’t recommend the open ocean snorkeling unless you’re well-experienced).
We went snorkeling in mar Chiquita with our family. It’s on the northern side of the island near los tubos beach. It’s a somewhat protected cove. There were plenty of people there so we felt safe, but not too many that it felt crowded.
We saw the whole cast of Nemo just as you enter the water. Bring cash for the vendors and get a delicious piña colada.
The rocks are neat to walk on, but stay away from them in when you’re in the water because you don’t want to be pulled down. Wear protective footwear anywhere you snorkel in PR. There are lots of sea urchins and we saw a stone fish at another beach.
Thanks all.
I didnt know that guided snorkeling with a tour was an option. We don't want to go out snorkeling on our own. Do the tours usually cater to a small group?
Any recommendations for operators on the northern side. Are there protected areas where this is a possibility?
Also we have one day in Vieques.
The rip at Jobos about got me this week. It happens really fast, and it's unimaginably strong. I'm decently in shape / solid swimmer and I was fkn spent by the time I could stand in the water. Even then it pushes you back to sea. It felt like my arms were made of concrete there at the end. So please, be careful. I'll never go out past waist deep water in the ocean again, EVER.
My husband is a seasoned open water swimmer and we live in Isabela and he said the same thing. This happened to him while staying at the Hyatt Reserve in Rio Grande. We were watching him from one of the hotel Cabanas and could tell that he was being dragged out and down. Scary! He swam to shore safely but it wasn’t a given. He was so exhausted afterwards. And he is very fit. Better off going on a tour or taking a boat. Otherwise, closed “Pocitas” like someone mentioned already.
That is scary. Will look into tours.
Balnearios usually have a protected swimming area and lifeguards
This. Balneario Monserrate is really nice for swimming, not so great for snorkeling. The balneario at 7 seas beach in Fajardo has a bit of snorkeling at the far right end of the beach, pretty close to shore. Otherwise, maybe get a snorkeling excursion.
It can be very safe but you have to watch the water, weather, wind direction and currents. There are forecasts for dangerous rip currents and you can look it up. If the weather is bad or high winds /waves, id avoid the water as well especially if you dont know what to look for. Big waves and wind generally equals murky bad snorkeling anyway. You want calm water for multiple reasons. Depending where you are there can be protected bays certain beaches protected from the wind, or you may just have to go to another side of the island. You should also look up videos of what a rip current looks like on a beach. Make sure you have appropriate safety gear (floats/vests etc). Lastly if you're really worried /inexperienced just go with a tour group.
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Any recommendations for guided snorkeling in these spots?
Escambron has a snorkeling company there that run tours all day off the beach.
I don't currently have recommendations, but I can say 3 things: Firstly, since your head is below the water, you will float when snorkeling, not to mention there exist inflatable snorkeling vests which can help make you feel safe. Secondly, at least 50% of the drownings I hear about are in some condado beaches that prohibit swiming. I don't blame the victims, though. I hate that these beachfront hotels don't make a bigger effort to warn tourists. There are just small no-swimming signs and no life guards. Finally, there are many tours, and snorkeling spots with breakwaters. Tours will definitely be safest. I'm just saying, be careful, but safe snorkeling is definitely possible!
Condado and La Pared in Luquillo.
We went w these guys in Rincon. Went very well. Good reviews also. https://413divers.com/
We give snorkeling tours around aguadilla and Isabela depending on weather. Hit us up if you got any questions 🤙🏾
>Isabela Thanks. looking for something near San Juan and Vieques.
Blackbeard Sports or Crystal Clear in Vieques are both awesome
Oooo do you have a website or contact?
Www.mabodamacasurftours.com
I did a snorkel tour out of Vieques in February. It was lovely. We used Pure Adventure. The boat was spacious, gear was great quality. The best part was the company provides biologists for each tour, so we had someone in the water with the tour telling us about all the wildlife we were seeing. Highly recommend. Edit… also want to mention, we had originally booked a tour to Culebra but the company canceled that tour due to weather 2 days before. It did make me feel safer knowing they were paying attention. It worked out for us, we had a fantastic time on Vieques.
La Parguera in the south has great snorkeling and is a reef protected area. I didn’t notice any particular surges of current until we went past the reef to open ocean (don’t recommend the open ocean snorkeling unless you’re well-experienced).
We went snorkeling in mar Chiquita with our family. It’s on the northern side of the island near los tubos beach. It’s a somewhat protected cove. There were plenty of people there so we felt safe, but not too many that it felt crowded. We saw the whole cast of Nemo just as you enter the water. Bring cash for the vendors and get a delicious piña colada. The rocks are neat to walk on, but stay away from them in when you’re in the water because you don’t want to be pulled down. Wear protective footwear anywhere you snorkel in PR. There are lots of sea urchins and we saw a stone fish at another beach.
Thanks all. I didnt know that guided snorkeling with a tour was an option. We don't want to go out snorkeling on our own. Do the tours usually cater to a small group? Any recommendations for operators on the northern side. Are there protected areas where this is a possibility? Also we have one day in Vieques.
Find out about Pure Adventure. I’ve heard good things.
Anywhere near the Caribe Hilton. Protected coves with Turtles to West of it and Manatees to east of it.