Desecheo Island 2 Tank Dive

No we don't, please have your own transportation from the shop to the boat launch.

You’ll need to be Open Water certified at minimum, but this is considered an advanced dive due to depth, conditions, and boat entry. Divers should be comfortable diving to at least 100 feet, have recent dive experience, and ideally be confident in moderate currents. Not quite there yet? Consider doing a refresher or gaining more dive experience locally before heading out to Desecheo.

Desecheo Island is one of Puerto Rico’s most untouched and remote dive sites, often compared to the best reefs in the Caribbean. It’s located within a protected marine reserve, so the coral is thriving, and the water is exceptionally clear—sometimes with visibility over 100 feet (30.5 meters). You might see nurse sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, moray eels, and giant schools of tropical reef fish. Look closely and you could spot a camouflaged octopus or spiny lobster tucked into the reef. The sites are also known for dramatic underwater topography, from coral-covered slopes to rocky swim-throughs.

The ride from the Aguadilla boat ramp to Desecheo Island usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on sea conditions. It’s a scenic ride with a good chance of spotting dolphins or seabirds along the way. Once you arrive, you'll drop into some of the most spectacular water Puerto Rico has to offer.

Diving in Puerto Rico is great year-round, with warm water and excellent visibility no matter the season. December to April typically offers the clearest visibility, while May to November brings warmer water temperatures, often reaching 84°F (29°C). There’s always amazing marine life to see, making any time a great time to dive!

Flying directly after scuba diving is incredibly dangerous and could result in a life-threatening illness called the Bends/Decompression Sickness. The Divers Alert Network (DAN) guidelines for flying after diving include:

• A single no-decompression dive, a minimum preflight surface or any driving to above 1000 ft (305 m) interval of 12 hours suggested.
• Multiple dives per day or multiple days of diving, a minimum preflight surface or any driving to above 1000ft (305m) interval of 18 hours is suggested.
• Dives requiring decompression stops are recommended to have longer than 18 hours.

Please discuss with your dive guide ahead of time what is suggested!

Any activity that brings you above 1000 ft (305 m) can trigger the Bends/Decompression Sickness. Please check your hike elevation to ensure that at no time you will be going up in elevation. If the hike does go to elevation, you must treat it like a preflight interval as listed above in the flying FAQ.

Common sunscreens contain chemicals that can harm coral reefs, as the particles are small enough to be absorbed by corals, causing toxicity and coral bleaching. Reef-friendly sunscreens are formulated without these harmful chemicals. Reef-SAFE sunscreens go a step further by using non-nano particles, which are too large for corals to ingest, helping to preserve marine ecosystems. 

Please avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone, octinoxate, and parabens. Consider wearing sun-protective clothing, like long-sleeve rash guards, as an alternative to sunscreen. If you choose a mineral-based sunscreen, ensure it is labeled ‘non-nano.’

You can dive with a beard or mustache but it can prevent a tight seal between the mask and your face, which may cause water to leak in. It is often recommended to shave at least your mustache before diving. If you’d prefer not to shave your mustache, please bring petroleum jelly or chapstick with you. If you coat your mustache in that chapstick or jelly, it may be able to seal and prevent water from getting in.

Glasses cannot be worn while diving, but contacts are perfectly fine and recommended for the best experience. Prescription masks are not available for rent, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Additionally, there is an automatic correction effect that occurs underwater due to light refraction, making things appear clearer, but contacts or a personal prescription mask will provide the best visibility.