Here’s something that’ll make your heart skip a beat: crystal-clear Caribbean waters, world-class dive sites, and zero passport stress. Puerto Rico is having its moment right now, and honestly? It’s about time. This US territory delivers all the tropical vibes without the international travel headaches, no currency exchange, no customs lines, just pure island magic waiting for you.

We’ve crafted the perfect 7-day itinerary that hits all the highlights, from San Juan’s historic charm to Culebra’s pristine reefs. And because we know island-hopping can get complicated fast (small planes, ferry schedules, dive shop logistics), we’re handling all of it. You just show up ready to explore.

Why Puerto Rico, Why Now?

The water temperature hovers around 82°F year-round. Your US phone plan works perfectly. And while everyone else is stressing over passport renewals, you’re already planning which underwater camera to pack. Puerto Rico offers wall dives that’ll take your breath away, bioluminescent bays that glow like liquid starlight, and reef systems so diverse you’ll feel like you’re diving a different planet each day.

Plus, the food? Let’s just say you haven’t lived until you’ve had fresh mofongo after a morning spent swimming with sea turtles.

Day 1: San Juan – Arrival & Old World Charm

You’ll touch down at Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport, where the warm Caribbean air greets you the moment you step outside. We’ll have your ground transportation sorted, whisking you straight to your boutique hotel in Old San Juan, think colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and cafés where time moves slower.

Spend your afternoon wandering the pastel-colored streets, grabbing a piña colada (they were invented here, after all), and shaking off any mainland stress. Tonight’s all about adjustment: getting your dive gear organized, meeting your Java Travel USA local contact who’ll walk you through the week ahead, and maybe catching sunset from El Morro fortress.

No diving yet. Just breathing in that island rhythm.

Day 2: San Juan – Your First Caribbean Dives

Morning comes early, but in the best way. You’ll head out with Aqua Adventures Puerto Rico for a two-tank dive right from San Juan. The sites here feature dramatic walls, swim-throughs draped in soft corals, and reef structures that drop away into the blue like nature’s own roller coaster.

Water visibility typically runs 60-80 feet, and the marine life doesn’t disappoint, expect friendly yellowtail snappers, curious spotted drum fish, and if luck’s on your side, a passing eagle ray. Maximum depths hover around 70 feet, making these dives accessible whether you’re newly certified or logging your 500th dive.

Afternoon is yours to explore more of San Juan. The Bacardi distillery offers tours (yes, samples included), or you can simply post up at a beach and let the waves do their thing. Your body’s adjusting to dive mode, so take it easy. Hydrate. Enjoy a leisurely dinner in Condado.

Day 3: Transfer to Fajardo – East Coast Adventures Begin

Today we shift gears. After breakfast, your private transfer will take you east to Fajardo: the gateway to Puerto Rico’s best offshore diving. It’s about an hour’s drive, and the scenery shifts from urban energy to lush green mountains and coastal views that’ll have you reaching for your phone every few minutes.

You’ll check into your Fajardo accommodations (we’ve selected properties close to the marina for maximum convenience), then head out for an afternoon dive with Sea Ventures, a PADI 5-star dive center operating from Puerto del Rey Marina. These sites feature diverse coral formations, hidden crevices, and swim-throughs that feel like you’re exploring an underwater maze.

The dive takes about 25 minutes to reach from the marina, and you’ll be back in time for dinner. Pro tip: try the fresh catch at one of the marina restaurants: you’re literally eating what was swimming that morning.

Day 4: Culebra – Island Paradise Awaits

This is the day you’ve been daydreaming about. Culebra, an 11-square-mile unspoiled island, sits just offshore, and it’s home to some of the Caribbean’s most pristine reefs. We’ve arranged everything: your boat transfer from Fajardo (6 to 6.5 hours round trip), dive operator coordination, even a packed lunch so you’re not scrambling between dives.

Culebra’s dive sites feature shallow reefs ranging from 30 to 60 feet: perfect for relaxed, extended bottom times. The coral formations here are healthier than almost anywhere else in the Caribbean, and the fish life is abundant enough to make you forget you’re technically still in US waters. Brain coral the size of small cars. Parrotfish munching away. Schools of blue tang that move like liquid silk.

Between dives, Flamenco Beach: consistently ranked among the world’s best: waits for you. White sand, turquoise water, and exactly the kind of beach that makes you question why you ever live anywhere with winter.

Day 5: More Fajardo Dives & Evening Magic

Back to Fajardo for another morning dive session. By now, you’re in the groove: gear setup feels automatic, you know the boat routine, and you’re starting to recognize some of the resident fish at the regular sites. This familiarity lets you slow down, notice the smaller stuff: the camouflaged scorpionfish, the cleaning stations where fish line up like they’re at the world’s weirdest spa, the octopus peeping out from its rocky den.

But tonight? Tonight is special. We’ve arranged for you to experience one of Puerto Rico’s famous bioluminescent bays. As darkness falls, you’ll kayak or boat into Laguna Grande, and with every paddle stroke, the water lights up with millions of glowing dinoflagellates. It’s magic that science explains but your brain refuses to fully accept. Wave your hand through the water and watch trails of blue-green light follow your fingers.

Day 6: La Parguera – The Wall & Bio Bay Double Feature

Today involves a longer journey to Puerto Rico’s southwest coast, but trust us: it’s worth every minute of that drive. La Parguera is home to “The Wall,” a legendary dive site featuring a 100-foot deep reef covered in sea plants, rare black corals, and marine life that includes manta rays, sea turtles, and schools of barracuda that shimmer like chrome in the sunlight.

We’ll have you set up with one of the local operators: Paradise Scuba, Papayo Divers, or West Divers: all experienced with The Wall’s unique topography. The dive itself is suitable for various levels, with options to stay shallower or follow the wall down into the deeper blue, depending on your comfort and certification.

After diving, La Parguera’s bioluminescent bay offers a different experience from Fajardo’s: some say even more intense. You can actually swim in this one after dark, turning yourself into a glowing silhouette as you move through the luminescent water.

Day 7: Return to San Juan – Full Circle

Your final morning in paradise. We’ve timed your return transfer to San Juan to give you a relaxed checkout, maybe one last breakfast overlooking the water, and a chance to reflect on a week that somehow felt like a month in the best possible way.

If your flight’s later in the day, there’s time for some final shopping in Old San Juan: local artisan crafts, Puerto Rican coffee to bring home, maybe that bottle of rum you’ve been eyeing. We’ll coordinate your airport transfer based on your departure time, because even on the last day, logistics shouldn’t be your problem.

How We Handle the Complicated Stuff

Here’s the thing about island-hopping dive trips: they require coordination that can quickly become overwhelming. Ferry schedules that change seasonally. Dive operators who speak different languages or have different booking systems. Accommodations that need to be positioned just right for early boat departures.

That’s where Java Travel USA’s concierge expertise comes in. We’ve spent years building relationships with Puerto Rico’s best dive operators and properties. We know which Fajardo hotels have secure gear storage. We know which Culebra boats leave on time. We know how to build buffer time into your itinerary so one delayed ferry doesn’t topple your whole week.

You get a detailed day-by-day packet with all confirmation numbers, contact information, and even our 24/7 support line for anything that comes up. We’ve thought through the gear transport between locations, the meal timing around dive schedules, even which restaurants near each marina serve the best post-dive fuel.

Ready to Make This Your Reality?

Puerto Rico isn’t just trending: it’s delivering on every promise the Caribbean makes, with none of the usual international travel friction. And with the right planning partner, a week here transforms from “good trip” to “best diving vacation I’ve ever had.”

We can customize this itinerary based on your group size, experience level, or specific interests. Want to add an extra day in Culebra? Done. Prefer more time in Old San Juan exploring the culture and history? We’ll adjust. Traveling with non-divers who need snorkeling or land-based activities? We’ve got options.

Get in touch with Java Travel USA and let’s start building your Puerto Rico adventure. Because the best time to go was yesterday, but the second-best time is right now. And honestly? The water’s perfect.