West, Rincón
Tres Palmas Marine Reserve
Also called Steps Beach, Playa Escalera
Rincón; the main entry is Steps Beach (Playa Escalera), off Road 413.
- Depth
- Not published
- Operators publish no depth (Rincón Diving & Snorkeling FAQ)
- Entry
- Shore
- Guided shore dives and snorkel tours run from the beach (Rincón Diving & Snorkeling)
- Level
- No source states a level
- Water
- About 78°F December to March, 84°F in summer (Rincón Diving & Snorkeling FAQ)
What's down there
Marine life
- Elkhorn coral stands, spiny lobster, angelfish, moray eels, leatherback turtles (Afar)
- Winter: Whales heard underwater (Rincón Diving & Snorkeling FAQ)
When to go, and when not to
Season
- UnconfirmedCalm in summer and one of the best snorkeling spots then; winter surf can reach 20 ft with strong rips, and snorkeling is not recommended (Islands.com)
- Mornings are calmer than afternoons (Rincón Diving & Snorkeling FAQ)
Hazards
- UnconfirmedA rocky, slippery entry with sea urchins; elkhorn coral very close to the surface; no lifeguards (Islands.com)
Emergency numbers and the jellyfish days: diving safety.
Reserve and rules
Inside the Tres Palmas Marine Reserve. Damaging coral, anchoring off the buoys, or fishing or diving in a reserve without the DRNA Secretary's authorization can cost $500 to $10,000 a violation (Law 147).
Who dives it
- Rincón Diving & Snorkeling, Rincón Site checked
- Taino Divers, Rincón Site checked
In the 787daily Guide: Tres Palmas / Steps Beach, with today's conditions.
Sources
Sources (6)
- Law 17 of 2004 (opens in a new tab), official, 2004
- Tres Palmas management plan (UPR-M CIEL) (opens in a new tab), official, 2008
- Rincón Diving & Snorkeling FAQ (opens in a new tab), operator, no date; checked Oct 18, 2026
- Rincón Diving & Snorkeling (opens in a new tab), operator, no date; checked Oct 18, 2026
- Afar (opens in a new tab), press, Mar 29, 2021
- Islands.com (read through a search summary) (opens in a new tab), unconfirmed, no date; checked Oct 18, 2026
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