Aquatica Underwater Adventures

Located in Aguadilla, Aquatica Underwater Adventures has been a fixture of the Puerto Rican diving scene for over 35 years. The centre operates from its main base on Rt 110, positioned behind the Cabrera Car Rental, and also maintains a second location in Rincón to better serve the local diving community.

Whether you are looking to complete your first certification or are pursuing professional instructor training, the centre provides a structured environment for all levels. They focus on both PADI and SSI certifications, ensuring divers can follow their preferred training path while exploring the vibrant reefs of the west coast.

The team is comprised of six internationally certified instructors, qualified through both PADI and SSI. This allows them to cater to a wide range of student needs and certification requirements.

Instruction is provided in both English and Spanish. The centre operates as an official SSI Instructor Training Center, making it a primary destination for those looking to advance their careers into the professional ranks.

As an Instructor Training Center, the course catalogue is extensive. They cover the full spectrum of recreational diving, including Open Water Diver (OWD), Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD), and specialty courses such as Nitrox, Deep, Wreck, and Navigation.

For those looking to progress professionally, they offer Divemaster and IDC (Instructor Development Course) programmes. They also provide Scuba Skills Update sessions, Marine Ecology, and specialized training like the Lionfish Class & Hunt, as well as night and limited visibility diving.

For trips to Desecheo Island, the centre operates a boat with a capacity for up to 5 people. These excursions provide access to the remote marine reserve located about 13 miles off the coast of Rincón.

On these trips, passengers are provided with snacks and cold water. To help you remember the experience, the centre also includes underwater photos of your dive with the Desecheo Island tours.

The centre provides full equipment rental for all divers, including masks, fins, snorkels, BCDs, regulators, and cylinders. This setup is designed to allow divers to travel light without needing to carry their own heavy kit.

Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom time. For those interested in more specialised propulsion, the centre also offers DPV (scooter) diving instruction.

The reefs are teeming with a variety of tropical fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, and yellowtail snappers. You will often encounter larger residents such as nurse sharks, reef sharks, and stingrays, with eagle rays appearing more frequently during the summer months.

In the sandy areas and reef flats, you can find hawksbill turtles, green sea turtles, and various species of octopus. Moray eels are also commonly found sheltering among the rocks and pier pilings at Crashboat Beach.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants include octopuses and various reef fish hiding within the coral structures. The presence of sharks and eagle rays is particularly noted during the summer season.

The west coast generally experiences calm waters. For those planning their trips around visibility, the clearest conditions are typically found from December to April.

Water temperatures vary between 25°C and 29°C throughout the year. From May to November, the water tends to be warmer.