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Private Guided Snorkeling Tour - Tres Palmas Marine Reserve

Private • Free Cancellation • On the Water

Duration: 3 hours

Features

Private
Free Cancellation
On the Water
Beginner Friendly
Kid Friendly
Wildlife
Locally Owned
Instant Book
$89 P-SNK (private snorkel tour)
$356 New P-SNK
(Price includes first 4 people • 1-4 people same price • $89 each additional person)

Description

Discover Rincon Snorkeling with a Private Guide!

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure as you explore the underwater world with our expert guides! When you join our snorkeling tour, you'll experience the beauty and diversity of the world class Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, home to some of the most stunning coral reefs and marine life in Puerto Rico.
Your tour will start with your personal guide fitting you with the right equipment and ensuring that everything fits correctly. They will also teach you how to snorkel comfortably and tell you about the secret hiding places of our local reef residents. Next, you’ll head to the water to practice the skills you’ve learned in the briefing. From the beach, wade into the water and swim out to the reef. It’s time to get up close to marine life and see what the underwater world has to offer.
As you look beneath the crystal-clear waters, you'll be amazed by the bright colors and textures of the coral reefs that surround you. Schools of tropical fish will swim by, and you may even encounter sea turtles, octopuses, and other fascinating creatures as you explore the underwater world. The Tres Palmas Marine Reserve is also known for having the largest area of endangered species of corals like elkhorn coral and staghorn coral. You'll feel like an explorer as you navigate through these hidden treasures, marveling at the secrets of the underwater world that are waiting to be discovered. At the end of your fun-filled morning, head back to the beach and spend time relaxing on the shore!

Duration of Adventure

  • Up to 3 hours for the entire experience
  • Approximately 1 hour of continuous snorkeling
  • Morning and afternoon start times are available. We highly recommend the morning options over the afternoon because (generally) water conditions are much better in the morning. Also, afternoon showers may shorten or cancel your tour. 
  • Arriving 5 minutes before the time on your reservation is recommended. If you are running late, please let us know as soon as possible. Arrivals more than 20 minutes late may need to be rescheduled.

Location / Where to Meet

  1. Check in/ Departure Address: Rincon Diving & Snorkeling, 2207 Ave Pedro Albizu Campos Carr 115, Rincón, 00677, Puerto Rico
  • Participants meet in the dive center at the time stated on their reservation for check-in.  You'll meet your guide for professional equipment fitting and briefing on the location and what you can expect to see during the tour.
  • Thereafter you will follow the guide in your own transportation to the entry point for the snorkeling tour (5 min +/- from dive center).  
  • Guides have limited space available for passengers. If you need transportation from the dive center and back, please give the dive center a call so advance arrangements can be made. Additional charges may apply.
  • There is adequate free parking at most of the snorkeling and dive sites. Some sites (especially during the winter months) tend to have lots of visitors and parking can be crowded.

Ages & Requirements

  • A minimum of 5 years old is welcome but contact the dive center for children under 8 years old.
  • While you do not need to be an expert swimmer, we do require that you have basic swimming skills to participate in the tour. 

What’s Included

  • Snorkel Gear (Mask, Snorkel, Fins) 
  • Experienced Snorkel Guide
  • Our guides will provide you with a safety briefing before the tour and will make sure you feel comfortable in the water.
  • Flotation Safety Vests
  • Drinking Water

Not Included

  • Gratuity - Never expected but if you have a great experience, please consider gifting 10-25% to your guide and captains!
  • If you need a prescription mask, please rent from a dive shop ahead of your tour time!
  • Wetsuits and Waterproof Cameras (SD cards as well) are available for rent with an extra fee!
  • If you need transportation from the dive center and back, please give the dive center a call so advance arrangements can be made. Additional charges may apply.
  • The option to add a souvenir t-shirt for an extra fee is available!
  • There is the option to add on Flexible Trip Protection for an extra fee.

What to Bring / Wear

  • Swimsuit
  • Towel
  • Reef-Safe Sunscreen
  • Extra layers of clothing - sweatshirts and warm hats
  • Dry bag
  • Snacks & Water
  • Required paperwork - Signed medical form if required, waivers, etc.
  • Waterproof Camera - The company is not responsible for any damaged or lost items.
  • Please remove any jewelry, watches, or anything that can get damaged by water or you don’t want to lose.

Wildlife Guidelines

Please be respectful of the fact that coral is a living organism and any standing, touching, or knocking over will irreparably damage the organism that takes a very long time to grow and is essential to our marine reefs. Please also be respectful of any marine animals including but not limited to turtles, rays, sharks, seals, and dolphins. Please never chase, harass, feed, or TOUCH any of the marine species. Enjoy their company if they approach from a distance and calmly move away from them if in their path.

Check Out TripOutside’s Rincon Diving and Snorkeling Podcast Episode!

ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Rincon Diving & Snorkeling

FAQs

Why should I hire a private guide? What is the difference between a private tour and a group tour?

Hiring a private guide for your snorkeling experience is an investment in your safety, comfort, and overall enjoyment. With a private guide, you have the flexibility to customize your tour to fit your interests and skill level, and you can rest assured that you'll be in safe hands throughout your adventure. Our guides will provide you with all the necessary equipment and will teach you proper techniques to get the most out of your snorkeling and diving experience. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced diver, a private guide can enhance your experience and help you discover the vibrant underwater world of Rincon with confidence and ease. 

A group tour may have participants who don’t know each other. If you have smaller children or need extra attention, guides may not be able to give you the best service without compromising the safety and enjoyment of other participants. Also, if you want a more personal service, hire a private guide by booking a Private Guided Snorkeling tour.

What will I learn on this snorkeling tour?

  • How to select snorkel equipment for best personal fit
  • Learn to identify various fish by color and name
  • How to protect the reef
  • Learn the mechanics of snorkeling on a shallow reef.
  • Fun, safe tour on shallow local reefs. Enter right at the beach--NO BOAT REQUIRED.
  • Feel free to ask lots of questions--our guides are experts in what they do with years of diving and snorkeling experience.

What sunscreen can I wear and why is it important?

  • The chemicals found in regular sunscreens are harmful to coral. Their tiny particles can be ingested, leading to toxicity and coral bleaching. Reef-friendly sunscreens avoid these toxic ingredients. Reef-SAFE sunscreens avoid harmful chemicals AND use ‘non-nano’ particles that are too large to be absorbed by corals, thus protecting marine ecosystems.
  • PROTECT THE MARINE RESERVE: Avoid using sunscreens that contain oxybenzone, octinoxate, and parabens. Reef-Friendly sunscreen is available for purchase at the dive center.
  • Sun protective clothing like long-sleeve rash guards are a great alternative to sunscreen and are available for purchase.
  • If you’re looking at a mineral-based formula, be sure it says ‘non-nano’.

Do I need to know how to swim or snorkel?

No experience is necessary to enjoy a snorkeling tour. However, you should have a minimum comfort level in the water. The beautiful corals are close to the surface so you are guaranteed to get up close and personal with the marine life. All participants should be comfortable in the water. Snorkelers will be provided with snorkeling equipment, flotation/life vests and, if preferred, snorkeling noodles for flotation. Guides will instruct on snorkeling techniques for beginners.

How large are your groups?

Our groups are typically small. For snorkeling tours, the maximum number of snorkelers per guide is usually not more than 12. If there are more than 12 in your group, additional guides will be added for safety.

Can I participate if pregnant?

Pregnancy does not necessarily preclude you from participating in a snorkeling tour. A certain level of fitness is necessary. If you feel snorkeling during pregnancy will be a risk, please abstain. We reserve the right to refuse participation if it endangers the safety of the participants.

How do I snorkel if I use eyeglasses?

The nature of the mask design does not allow you to wear your glasses. However, we do have a limited number of fixed lens masks that may suit your needs. These are available for use during your tour without charge or for an added fee for any rental. Inquire about them with a staff member. Contact lenses can be worn under a mask only if you feel comfortable doing so. However, if water should flood your mask, it is recommended to keep your eyes closed in case your contact decides to float out of your eye.

Do I need a wetsuit?

Water temperature in Puerto Rico ranges from 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter months (December-March) to 84 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months. Most divers get cold in the winter months and a wetsuit is recommended. At other times of the year, wetsuits are good for abrasion protection. Wetsuits are available for rental for an additional fee.

Where do I leave my personal belongings?

You can leave your personal belongings either in your personal vehicle or in the dive center. When checking in, it’s better to leave everything in your vehicle so that you can be hands-free during check-in and equipment fitting. The dive center and guides are not responsible for personal belongings.

What about sharks?

Incidents of sharks biting people in Puerto Rico are very rare. Fatal shark bites are extremely rare, especially considering the number of people in Puerto Rico’s waters. People who enter the water need to recognize that there are hidden dangers. A number of marine animals can cause serious injury to people, and sharks are just one example. Entering the ocean should be considered a “wilderness experience,” where people are visitors in a world that belongs to the sharks. The risk of injury caused by sharks is extremely small, but it is a risk accepted by anyone who enters the shark’s world. By learning more about sharks, using common sense, and observing the following safety tips, the risk may be greatly reduced.

Can you go underwater with a snorkel? 

Snorkels allow you to breathe while your face is submerged in the water. If you should desire to dive down to get a closer look, water will fill the snorkel. With this in mind, you should hold your breath as you descend until you return to the surface and blast clear the snorkel of water. Our expert snorkeling guides can teach you this technique.

How do I receive my pictures from my camera rental?

There are 3 ways you can typically receive your pictures:

  • Purchase the storage card in the camera for an additional cost.
  • Upload the pictures to your own device for free.
  • We can email them to your email for free. The internet is not always reliable, so please allow a couple of days for delivery. If you do not get them within a reasonable time, give us a call or email so we can check on the status.

Do you have military discounts? 

Yes, we do. To thank you for your service, we give a 10% discount to the service member on any tour or dive course. Please let the desk agent checking you in know that you are an active duty or retired service member to receive your discount. Be ready to show your military ID.

What can I see on a snorkel tour?

We often see the majority of the fishes named on any fish ID template, including, but not limited to, parrotfish, blue tangs, hogfish, squirrelfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish. We have the occasional stingray, tarpon, and turtle swim by checking you out. Look in the crevices for eels, crabs, and lobsters.

Cancellation Policy

Because our groups are always small to exclusive, it is important to let us know of any changes in your reservation. This is our cancelation policy:
  1. All cancelations should be made 48 hours prior to the day of the tour to be exempt from the cancelation charges of 50% of the total tour cost.
  2. There are no penalties or fees for canceling your tour before the 48-hour window.
  3. Cancelations for last-minute bookings: Bookings made less than 24 hours of the tour date are considered final.
  4. All no-shows will be charged the full tour price for the group.
  5. Cancelations made after 5:00 PM the day prior to the tour will be considered a no-show and incur the full tour price. This includes reduction-in-group-size cancelations.
  6. Cancelations need to be made directly by calling the dive center at 787-506-3483.
  7. Cancelations made by email, voicemail, or other means, may not be honored.
Trip Protections is available for an additional cost. With Trip Protection, you can reschedule your trip for any reason up to 18 hours before departure, without incurring any penalties.
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Availability

November 2024

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Reviews

Location

Address

2207 Ave Pedro Albizu, Rd 115, Km 12.0, Bo Pueblo

Rincon, PR, 00677

US

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