PV Las Caletas scuba opportunity

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

Although it wasn't mentioned in the description of the tour, you can scuba dive once you get to Las Caletas. I found out on board the boat to the resort, as they were describing everything that was available that day. Although I'm certified, I hadn't brought my C-card or log with me (I did have my own prescription mask, fins, and snorkel as I was planning to snorkel that day). After talking to "Anibal", the divemaster on board, I found out that you could either take a resort course (I believe the price was $50), or just do a dive for $15! Quite a bargain, and it included all gear--wetsuit, BC, regs, mask, etc. He asked who I was certified through (PADI) and offered to radio back to base and have them look up my certification on the internet, which they did. He asked how long it had been since my last dive and I was honest and told him about 20 months (rule of thumb is that you've been diving within the last year), so he said I could sit in on the resort class as a refresher, then dive with them for $35 (including all gear I needed). I decided to go for it. He had two young women who had never dived before in the class. I was impressed with how patient and thorough he was with them. We got to be in the water about 45 minutes. He led the dive and I just followed along. The viz was OK, about 35' and we never went deeper than 15-20', just stayed in the area around the boat and dock, but we saw a good size turtle (1+') up close, and lots of fish. He showed us a balloon fish up close and pointed out other things. The only possible downside is that it took about 90 min. total, so that cut into the beach time. However, I still had about 30 min. on the beach before lunch was served and about 25 min. after lunch before we left. I was glad I did it, both because it was enjoyable and because I'm going on a week-long diving trip to FL in July and now have done my requisite dive w/in the last year.
So if you're interested in trying scuba (a resort course is about 30 min. of basic instruction and then a shallow dive under the supervision of the instructor) or are certified and interested in an inexpensive, quick dive opportunity, I recommend it.

 

[AnnaS]

I also read on someone's excursion report that this was offered here and you could scuba dive as a first timer. We will be doing this excursion (Las Caletas) next week when we cruise. My 17 1/2 yr. old has been dying to try scuba diving. He is a great swimmer and always does the snorkeling. I know they are two different experiences - I am wondering if I should let him try. Was there a minimum age requirement? I am more concerned obviously for safety issues.

Thank you in advance for any additional input.

 

[AnnaS]

just bumping

 

[justmestace]

We are snorkelers, and we did this on the June 4th cruise. It cost us $35 per person....we had our own gear, but others who didn't paid the same price. One guy who did the excursion with us was certifed, but he took the course and paid the same amount that we did. We went down to 30' and were under for 45 minutes, and yes....as NotSoLittleMermaid said, we still had time to explore Las Caletas and have lunch, etc.

The youngest in our group was my 11 year old son. He did great, and the dive master was so patient with him, and all of us. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who snorkels and has often thought about trying diving. I'm not too sure that I'd advise it for anyone who doesn't snorkel often....that would be an awful lot to get used to in a short amount of time.
I don't recall them saying anything about an age limit, although I'm sure there is one. They didn't have any problem with our son being only 11.

 

[AlexandNessa]

We did the Las Caletas Tour in April, and we were able to swim with a Sea Lion for $35. I looked at their website when I got home, and the same sea lion swim was listed for $45. They only allowed 4 people, and you just signed up on the boat ride over. Definitely worth it!

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

I also read on someone's excursion report that this was offered here and you could scuba dive as a first timer. We will be doing this excursion (Las Caletas) next week when we cruise. My 17 1/2 yr. old has been dying to try scuba diving. He is a great swimmer and always does the snorkeling. I know they are two different experiences - I am wondering if I should let him try. Was there a minimum age requirement? I am more concerned obviously for safety issues.

Thank you in advance for any additional input.

I think it would be a great opportunity for your son to try diving. As I said, I was impressed with the divemaster (Anibal). He was very safety conscious and kept a close eye on the newbies. Plus, the price is very reasonable for a resort dive.

Regarding the cost: I asked him a couple of times about the price if I had just wanted to do a dive (assuming I had my C-card & log to show I'd been diving w/in the last year) and both times he gave me the price of $15 (including use of the gear)! That's ridiculously cheap! If you could get it, that would be a great deal. But if you couldn't, even $35 for a dive is reasonable.

An aside about me: I was a snorkeler who was reluctant to try diving, not out of fear or being uncomfortable in the water, but because it seemed like a whole lot of hassle (gear, weights, etc.) compared to the ease of snorkeling, plus I didn't think the experience would be that much better/different to warrant the work of getting certified, etc. Long story short, my first dive was a transforming experience and I was hooked!