Thursday dive trip, Punta Mita Style

We had planned for a dive trip so Mark could get in some scuba diving while we are here.  In past trips we have gone with Chico's Dive Shop in Puerta Vallarta.  While we have truly enjoyed the trips we have gone on with them, the only problem we found was trying to park in the downtown area where they are located.  When we got here earlier this week, Mark got on the internet to see what other options we have are.  He has always wanted to do a dive out at the Murrietta Islands, which we can see from our condo balcony.  From where we are staying, it is about a 15 min boat ride.  From Puerto Vallarta, its an hour drive into town and and hour boat ride.  So you would think there would be a dive trip or two in town that we could use.  Well no.  They always say the go there to dive, but they never seem to get enough divers wanting to to there to do to make it worth their while. 

On Mark's internet search he did find several, but some of them it looked liked we would be paying $300.00 US dollars for both of us to go out on the boat.  Mark dives and I don't.  I just like being on the boat.  He found one company called   PV Sea Dives who we decided to go with.  It was $125.00 for the both of us.  It was a 2 tank dive for him.  Only catch, they were out of the Marina in PV.

So we got up early on Thursday morning and head down to the marina.  Sue and Marie own the operation and are wonderful.  They had another dive master who's name is also Marc.  The three of them are from Great Britain and have a wonderful sense of humor.  Our captain was Carlos who is a local here.  There were 2 other couples on board who were from Mississippi.  A smooth boat ride, beautiful weather and good company.  You can't ask for much more than that.



Getting ready for the first dive

Mark and the rest of the divers all enjoyed their first dive.  Between the two dives we went over to this arch in the water and were encouraged to jump in and swim through the arch to this unbelievable little beach on the other side of it.  You would never know this little beach was there.  I have a picture of it coming to me in a few days as one of the other couples had a waterproof camera and were kind enough to take our picture standing in one of the two caves that are on either side of this little protected beach.  It is like this little oasis you would expect to see in a Pirates of the Caribbean movie.

We had about 20 min there before we needed to be back at the boat for their second dive.  After that dive and everyone was on board we started to head out when the captain spotted some whales ahead so he steered the boat closer to them.


2 dolphins and 1 of the whales right in front of our small boat

It was incredible.  There was a pod of about 6 whales and a couple of dolphins right in front of us.  They were so majestic, powerful and magical.  We stayed with them for about 15 min and saw them surface and dive many times and of course witness the sprays of water from their blow holes.  I've seen whales before from our cruise a few years ago to Alaska, but it was nothing like this.  They are right there in front of you and almost seem to be enjoying performing for us.  It was an amazing sight to see 4 whales all surfacing in a row at the same time right in front of you.  Words can't describe the feeling it leaves you with.


My friend the whale, waving goodbye to us with it's tail

We witnessed this for about 15 minutes before we needed to head back to the Marina.  It is 15 minutes of power and grace that I will hold close in my memories. 

Swim safe and free my new found friends from the ocean.