Puerto Rico Diving Center

Located in the sun-drenched southern region of Gran Canaria, Puerto Rico Diving has been a fixture of the local diving community since 2002. The centre is situated in Puerto Rico and provides easy access to the island's most significant marine protected areas.

As a PADI 5 Star centre, the facility is geared towards both recreational exploration and professional progression. Whether you are looking for your first breath underwater or working towards a Divemaster internship, the focus remains on small group sizes and individual attention.

The centre is run by Michele and Holly, who took over operations in 2017, bringing a long-standing history of service to the site. The instructor team is multilingual, capable of conducting courses and guided dives in English, Spanish, Italian, and French.

Safety and personalised service are central to their operation, with a strict ratio of a maximum of four divers per guide. For those looking to professionalise their skills, the centre offers Divemaster internships, which include accommodation on-site.

Training is available for all ages, with the PADI Bubblemaker programme for children from 8 years old, and the Open Water courses available for those aged 10 and above.

The course catalogue is extensive, covering the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with the PADI Scuba Diver or the Open Water Diver courses, while more experienced divers can progress through the Advanced Open Water Diver, Deep Diver, and Wreck Diver specialties.

For those pursuing a professional path, the centre offers Divemaster training. Specialty courses are also available to refine specific skills, such as Peak Performance Buoyancy, Underwater Navigation, and Night Diver. The centre also provides Emergency First Response (EFR) and Emergency O2 Provider training to bolster safety skills.

The centre provides full equipment hire for all diving activities, ensuring you have the necessary kit for reef or night dives. All equipment is rinsed after every use to maintain its condition.

Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom times. For safety, the centre also carries Emergency O2 Provider equipment on-site.

The reefs are populated by a wide variety of fish, including parrotfish, colourful wrasse (Labridae), and various species of damselfish. You can also find larger predators such as Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) and various groupers (Epinephelus) patrolling the areas.

In the sandy patches and near the reef structures, you are likely to encounter stingrays, common stingrays, and mantellina rays. Other notable residents include trumpetfish (Aulostomidae), pufferfish, and various species of snapper.

Macro life and cephalopods are well-represented, with sightings of octopus (Octopus vulgaris), cuttlefish (Sepiidae), and nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani). Divers should also look for smaller invertebrates, including sea stars (Asteroidea), spider crabs, and various species of shrimp.

Between December and April, the presence of angelfish becomes more frequent, making this a prime window for those interested in seeing them in the El Cabron and Tufia areas.

The southern sites of Gran Canaria generally benefit from low currents, making them suitable for a wide range of diver abilities. Visibility in the area typically ranges between 10 and 20 metres.

Water temperatures remain relatively stable throughout the year, providing consistent conditions for year-round diving.