Rincon and the West Coast

Check NWS San Juan marine forecasts (Mona Passage and northwest coast), rip-current alerts, thunderstorm risk and beach advisories before travel. The local operator policy allows guides to cancel if entry, exit, currents, waves or visibility are unsuitable. For shore scuba, use appropriate certification, equipment checks, a buddy plan, surface-marker/communication procedures as directed, and clear turn and exit criteria. For freediving, use trained buddy/rescue supervision and never practice breath-hold alone. For post-dive air travel, DAN suggests at least 12 hours after one no-decompression dive and 18 hours after repeated/multi-day recreational no-stop dives; deeper/decompression profiles require longer specialist planning. Never swim with wild whales or use their presence to assess safety.

For emergencies call 911 first. For dive injury, call DAN +1-919-684-9111 after activating local EMS. Hospital Buen Samaritano in Aguadilla advertises 24-hour adult and pediatric emergency departments (main +1-787-658-0000). DAN advises physician assessment and stabilization at the nearest suitable medical facility before any recompression transfer. No continuously staffed dive-capable hyperbaric chamber near Rincon or fixed evacuation time was independently verified; do not promise one. Before a trip, ask the dive operator about on-site oxygen, first aid, transport, marine-radio coverage, emergency action plan and insurance/evacuation arrangements.

Tres Palmas is specifically managed for elkhorn coral and associated habitat. ProtectedSeas reports a ban on extraction and collection of marine organisms. NOAA Fisheries lists elkhorn coral as threatened. Maintain buoyancy, do not stand on reef, keep fins clear, carry out trash and avoid wildlife harassment or touching/feeding turtles. NOAA wildlife guidance discourages approaches or swims intended to interact with wild mammals and turtles. DRNA recommends avoiding immersion after continuous heavy rainfall and checking posted bacterial advisory status. Treat community and management permissions as current operating requirements, not mere marketing text.