Trip plan · November
3 days of diving & snorkeling in Ponce
Every stop below is a 787daily guide pick near Ponce, chosen by distance and what's good in November.
Three days based in Ponce, mixing island and bay time on the water with beaches, local bites, and evenings back in town. Each day follows a simple rhythm from sea to table.
Day 1
Start with the reef-ringed island of Caja de Muertos, then settle into Playa Hilton Ponce before dinner at Café Café and a drink at Asturias Lounge Bar.
Caja de Muertos
An uninhabited island nature reserve about five miles off Ponce, ringed by reef. Boats leave from the La Guancha boardwalk in Ponce, and dive trips reach coral walls and gardens in clear, warm water.
Playa Hilton Ponce
Playa Hilton Ponce is a beach in Ponce, Puerto Rico, offering parking areas and a playground within walking distance.
Café Café
Café Café is a restaurant in Ponce serving regional cuisine.
Directions from Playa Hilton PonceAsturias Lounge Bar
Asturias Lounge Bar is a bar on Calle Mendez Vigo (Calle Luna) in Ponce, set up as a lounge-style nightlife spot. It draws a late-night crowd for indoor drinks and socializing, with a lively atmosphere that picks up as the evening goes on.
Directions from Café Café
Day 2
Snorkel the mangrove cays at Guánica / Gilligan's Island, wander the Ruinas de Hacienda Florida, and finish with galletas de manteca at La Gloria.
Guánica / Gilligan's Island
Calm, clear snorkeling around the mangrove cays of Guánica's protected bay. Gilligan's Island (Cayo Aurora) has shallow reefs; travel guides report its public ferry has not run since the 2020 earthquakes, so people reach it by kayak rented along PR-333. Check before you go.
Ruinas de Hacienda Florida
It is a historic site that showcases the remains of Hacienda Florida.
La Gloria
A Peñuelas bakery and pastry shop known for its galletas de manteca, baked fresh every day from the recipe the shop began with. The owner is the fifth generation of the family to run it.
Directions from Ruinas de Hacienda Florida
Day 3
Dive the wall at La Parguera, relax at Playa Rosada, then return to Ponce for seafood at El Ancla and a late stop at La Esquina del León Sport Bar & Sandwiches.
La Parguera
Wall diving where the southwest shelf drops off, with 60–80 ft of visibility. La Parguera's bioluminescent bay glows fainter than the bays in Vieques and Fajardo, but it is the only one of the three where tours let you swim; rules change, so check with the operator.
Playa Rosada
Playa Rosada is a public balneario in Lajas, offering a beach resort experience with managed facilities, including parking, restrooms, and showers. The beach is managed by the Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Municipio de Lajas.
El Ancla
El Ancla is a seafood restaurant on Avenida Hostos in Ponce.
Directions from Playa RosadaLa Esquina del León Sport Bar & Sandwiches
La Esquina del León Sport Bar & Sandwiches is a bar in Ponce, Puerto Rico, that serves sandwiches.
Directions from El Ancla
Curated by 787daily from its own guide. Seasons shown are typical, conditions change. Verify hours and access before you go.