Okay... my diving report on Playa Pesquero!
Blue World Diving Center. Located at the far right end of the beach, (furthest from PP.. you can see their dock from anywhere on the beach.
Booking:
You book through the Gaviota Tours desk, in the lobby of the resort. You book for the next day, and book early as some days are full. There are two dives daily, at 9 am and 2 pm, weather permitting. Morning dives are deeper (some up to 120 ft.), and the afternoons are shallower dives, good for repetitve diving, if you're doing both.
Cost is CUC 30 per dive, with your own gear (you can get weights there), or CUC 35, with all rental gear. There is a sliding scale, if you book multiple dives, and they will give you credit, if the day is cancelled due to weather.
Gear:
The gear at the shop is older, but is in good shape, and I have never seen anyone have any difficulty with any rental gear, and they have gear for all sizes, but if you're like me, your own reg. is a must, even if you bring nothing else.
Instructions:
Having heard, and experienced some disaster diving stories, I can assure anyone that this will not happen with Blue World. If the conditions are not right, they don't go. Before every dive, there is a full diver's meeting, where they explain: where you are going, how deep, what to expect (sites and any currents etc.) , what hand signals are to be used, and procedures for going down/surfacing... Miss the dive meeting, and you don't dive! C-cards are checked before every dive, and you have to fill out the standard release form. The dive masters will stamp your log book, so be sure to have it with you. During the dive meeting, you will be assigned (or already have) a dive buddy, based on language and experience, if at all possible. The dive masters keep a good track of everyone in the water, so as long as you don't go crazy, you will be fine!
Dive Masters:
Maikel, Carlos, and Osmani, all speak good english, so communication is no problem. I beleive Carlos also speaks french and italian. If there is anything you are not sure about, ask away, as they want a good crew of informed divers! They will have answers for every question.
The Shop:
The "shop" has change facilities, and washrooms, and fresh water tubs, to rinse your gear. If you are doing dives over several days, they have a locked changeroom, where you can leave most of your gear, but I don't reccomend leaving your computer/reg. It's easy enough to carry.
There aren't any "sales" available at the shop, so a spare parts kit is a must. If you can get some extra O-rings to donate to the shop, they would be most appreciated, as they are hard to get in Cuba.
Sites:
Every day of the week, offers two different sites (morning and afternoon) , so you can pick and choose which ones interest you, and are in your ability level. Talk to the guys, as soon as you arrive at the resort. If you tell the guys what you (want/can handle), they are most accomodating, and will let you know which are the best days to book. Nite dives are possible if their is enough interest, so you can speak to them about that as well.
My personal picks are "Corona da Vita" and "The Tunnel" for favorite dives. Corona is about 75ft. and The Tunnel, I was down to 95 ft. La Lanita is another good dive, to about 70 ft.
Note that you will leave your dive bag, at the shop, as you have to swim out to the boat... It's a short swim, and an excellent snorkel oppertunity.
Water conditions.
The water is amazingly clear. From the dive boat, I could see 40ft down, to the top of a reef, and once you are in the water, it is even better! Water temerpature in January, was 78 F at 75-80 ft. so you can judge your suit accordingly. I have always worn a 3mm shortie, and have never been cold. Others wear full light wets, so it's your choice.
I guess that's the highlights, but if I've missed anything, please ask!
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