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Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: pat polk (---.phlapa.fios.verizon.net)
Date:   04-22-08 23:00

We will be visiting your island via sailboat. What are some of the favorite dive or snorkel sites?
Thanks in advance. Am really excited to finally get to Culebra.
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Re: best scuba/snorkel sites
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Tricia (65.173.18.---)
Date:   04-23-08 07:06

My favorite snorkel sites are
Carlos Rosario
Melones
Luis Pena
and I love snorkeling in the baths at Culebrita

There is no such thing as a bad vacation. Some are just better than others.
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Re: best scuba/snorkel sites
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.msy.bellsouth.net)
Date:   04-23-08 11:18

The best in my book has been Carlos Rosario. I have been to most of the lesser Antilles, good snorkeling at Aruba, St. Thomas, Cayman Islands and their stingray were awesome but, none better than Carlos Rosario. Especially if you have children, you don't have to swim far away from the shore, shallow waters and you're already seeing awesome marine life. No danger of sharks, you do have the occasional barracuda but, they're not bothersome. It was wonderful to see pristine coral reefs and others in development. Carlos Rosario is easily accessible, 15-20 minute hike from Flamenco beach parking lot. Happy travels! J

supergarcia3
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Re: best scuba/snorkel sites
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   04-23-08 12:26

Jeannie, I agree completely.

A warning for those who hike there from Flamenco... Carlos Rosario is not the first beach you come to after you cross over the hill (that's Tamarindo). Keep walking on the path for a bit until you reach the next large beach area.

I like going to the left hand side of the beach area and go out toward the mooring balls. There are some truly great coral areas.

Tamarindo has good snorkeling, too.
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Re: best scuba/snorkel sites
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: pat polk (---.phlapa.fios.verizon.net)
Date:   04-27-08 21:18

Thanks, everyone. Carlos Rosario is now on our "must do" list.

Is there good scuba there also?
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Re: best scuba/snorkel sites
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Russ (74.39.243.---)
Date:   04-27-08 22:19

I wish I had known a little more when I went to Carlos Rosario. First of all, which beach it was, It's the one to the right if you're walking away from Flamenco, Tamarindo is the one straight ahead. The trail is a little confusing. If you go to google earth and zoom in, you can actually see the trail and its forks. Then when we got there we didn't know where the best spots were, so we were a little disapointed when we didn't see many fish. The dive shop across the street from the pier can help with more specifics. Take water and wear good shoes for hiking. It's not and easy trail wearing flip flops. The gate is through the parking lot, to the left of the food kiosks.
Good Luck and have fun!

Signed.......Jealous
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date:   04-29-08 00:33

flip flops suck on so many levels.

just get water socks.
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   04-29-08 07:40

Richard,

It'd be insane to try to hike on Culebra in water socks due to the acacia thorns. Those bad boys puncture jeep tires, so you know they will cripple you if you step on one. And they are on the trail in hard to see places. Wear sturdy shoes for the hike.

Doug
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date:   04-29-08 08:32

Doug: very true, but still better than flip-flops.

and to add to Doug's caveat, the trail to Rosario isn''t always well maintained so even a watchful eye can miss those thorns.
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.hsd1.va.comcast.net)
Date:   04-29-08 11:17

But why walk at all?

I think that too many people overlook a form of transportation that works just as well today as it did with Culebra's first settlers. It's cheap and comfortable, and it puts you well above harms way.

Here is a link to a recent photo of some friends on the path to Carlos Rosario...

http://www.arrakeen.ch/thai4/130%20%20elephant%20ride.JPG
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Jeannie G3 (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   04-29-08 13:22

Hola!
This is how "Little Gandhi" went to Carlos Rosario:
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/1267124392065396378NrIbpa

This is how Shelby is proposing to get to Carlos Rosario:
http://brokenthermometre.com/images/About%20Us/Lindy's%20family/Millers/ShelbyRidingIguana%20(Medium).jpg

Personally, I like the second mode of transport, there are so many of them! LOL!! Happy travels! J

supergarcia3
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Herb (---.dsl.stlsmo.swbell.net)
Date:   04-29-08 21:45

When we were there in late January we ended up spending many hours at the first exit on the path and thought we were snorkeling in our own personal saltwater aquarium. Unfortunately, the day we tried Carlos Rosario (we later learned the difference between the two) the water was choppy and we did not get to see it show off to us. So we spent almost all of our time at Tamarindo. It was amazing.

Herb
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Gary Eichelberger (---.hfc.comcastbusiness.net)
Date:   05-13-08 18:46

yes, while it's important to know to proceed the whole way to gett to Carlos Rosario, don't shortchange the tamarindo beach you come to first. In January I was unable to handle the unusually rough surf at Rosario but Tamarindo - just around the corner - was sheltered enough to allow me a good hour and a half of fine snorkeling. Carlos Rosario is definitley tough to beat, but Tamarindo had plenty to see and was very comfortable place to be with only a handful of others there. A very pleasant beach for lounging and leisurly swimming as well. Faces the sunset
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date:   05-14-08 17:32

this is sort of off topic, but while this thread is fresh, I came across this comment on a completely unrelated board debating the definition of cheese:

"I don't eat Cheese Whiz, but when I'm diving a shallow coral reef, it brings in fish as if you rang a dinner bell. (Below about 20 feet, it won't come out of the can)"

any veracity/experience?
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.coqui.net)
Date:   05-14-08 18:09

I don't have any experience with Cheez Whiz and there is a reason for that...or a few but the main thing is the use of the word *cheez*. Cheez Whiz, probably one of the first marketing ploys to playfully mis-spell its name on purpose (z was popular that year).
So why on earth (or in that better place, the sea) would I subject fish or just the water itself to something full of cra...chemicals and who knows what else? Sounds cruel to me! But then, I think offering anyone cheese whiz, and yes, Velveeta *cheese* as well, is cruel ;)
Lots of things can be used to chum pretty fish; crackers are used by a number of charter people I know and work just fine.
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   05-14-08 18:19

Pleez don't poison the fish!

Happy Diving!
Debbie
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Trent (63.225.219.---)
Date:   05-14-08 23:46

Why not cheez, and crackers? and some soft music.

Sorry.
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.coqui.net)
Date:   05-15-08 07:14

Laughing. I knew an alligator that liked classical music...leave out the cheez, and see what happens. Are there underwater iPods?
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   05-15-08 08:28

Of course there are underwater iPods. There's something for ever gadget person! I was shocked to hear music while snorkeling with our friends in April - they both had iPods strapped on! Give me a break! That's the very reason people can't travel light. LOL!

http://www.blueseaadventures.com/store/underwatermp3.htm

Happy Diving!
Debbie
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Trent (63.225.219.---)
Date:   05-15-08 13:15

I think I'll try the underwater iPod with the theme from Jaws playing. Which brings up another point of interest for me. What is the shark population like around Culebra. I've seen Debbie's pictures of nurse sharks. Anything to be cautious of?

22 days and counting! Trent.
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   05-15-08 13:53

Nope, nurse sharks aren't dangerous. Unlike most sharks, they have adapted to laying on the bottom, like a ray. If you step on them or persistently prod them, they'll almost always just swim away.

They're probably the most docile sharks imaginable.

As for other sharks in Culebra waters... They are very rare, and attacks are even rarer, if ever.

Urchins, on the other hand, are something to watch out for!
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Trent (63.225.219.---)
Date:   05-15-08 15:33

You guys are great. I love this site! This is the first time I've logged onto any forum, for fear of saying something stupid. Thanks for making me feel welcome. Do any of you live on Culebra?

22 days and counting! Trent.
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Mort (---.tampabay.res.rr.com)
Date:   05-15-08 16:49

Trent, there's still time to say something stupid. Don't give up yet!

I haven't given up, even though I've never actually said something stupid. But someday I'm bound to.

No matter how hard I try to avoid it, my posts invariably contain a plethora of wit and intelligence, and often universal insight. The thong threads, for example, were mere metaphors for something that rides much more deeply within us.
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Trent (63.225.219.---)
Date:   05-15-08 17:17

Mort, thongs for the encouragement. Nice to know that I can say anythong that comes to mind.
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   05-15-08 18:54

Oh my, Mort - looks like you've created a monster. :)

Happy Diving!
Debbie
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.coqui.net)
Date:   05-15-08 22:48

But he sounds like the right sort of monster! Or does that sound stupid? Unlike my ethereal friend, I'm prone to do stupid, but I do it very well, and I must say so myself.
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Vicki moore (---.dhcp.jcsn.tn.charter.com)
Date:   05-15-08 23:57

MJ lives on Culebra. Also, Deb, where can I view your uw pics?? I would love to see them. TIA.

Vicki in Tennessee
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date:   05-16-08 04:08

jeez, I knew the cheez whiz was a dumb question (maybe some legs), but go checkout the stuff on the Chowhound boards.

if that person was right and it doesn't hurt the fish...

although I have to consider that it's not exactly good for me either.
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Trent (63.225.219.---)
Date:   05-16-08 13:05

What would the world be like without the invention of the Bugle cone. I shutter to think. It ranks up there with the oak toilet seat.
Richard, can you help me navigate the Chowhound boards to check out your source. I couldn't find any reference for Cheez Whiz. Thanks.
I enjoyed Debbie's underwater pics 'cause there were real. Not somethong (oops) altered by a computer for the sake of luring divers.

21 days and counting. Trent.
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Trent (63.225.219.---)
Date:   05-16-08 13:07

Anyone else have underwater pics to share?
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.hsd1.dc.comcast.net)
Date:   05-16-08 14:26

Trent, it was under the General Topics in a thread called "but is it Cheese" posted by someone named Veggo

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/518970
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Re: Best scuba/snorkel sites in Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.sip.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   05-16-08 20:12

Vicki,

See http://web.mac.com/debalew/Scuba/Welcome.html

Happy Diving!
Debbie
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