Sand Slide

Overview

Sand Slide, also called Palominito's Wall, is a boat dive off Fajardo where sandy slopes form a semi-wall with reef on one side, from about 15 to 80 ft. Sea fans, sponges and small caves shelter spotted eagle rays and green and hawksbill turtles, and a coral restoration nursery operates at the site. Sources differ on difficulty, from all levels to intermediate–advanced. It is reported to lie within Arrecifes de la Cordillera Natural Reserve; check current DRNA rules.^[1][2][3][4]

Site characteristics

• Wall^[1]
• Reef^[2]

Habitat & marine life

• sea fans, sponges, small caves^[1]
• spotted eagle rays^[1]
• green and hawksbill turtles^[1]

Marine life is what sources report having seen or commonly seeing — not a guarantee.

Access

• Boat dive^[1][3]

Experience & conditions

• Aqua Adventure (Fajardo/San Juan operator; also scubapuertorico.net): “operator: intermediate to advanced”^[1]
• PADI (info contributed by Sea Ventures Dive and Snorkel): “suitable for all levels”^[2]

Attributed descriptions from sources, not our rating. Conditions vary; your training, experience and the day’s conditions decide.

Safety considerations

No site-specific hazards are recorded in our sources. That does not mean there are none.

Ocean conditions change daily. Dive within your training, plan with current local information and consider a local professional guide. Full safety note.

Protected area

• Arrecifes de la Cordillera Natural Reserve (Reserva Natural Arrecifes de la Cordillera)

  Natural Reserve · Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources · Reported by a source as within this area^[4]

  NOAA's MPA Inventory classifies this area's protection level as "Uniform Multiple Use"; fishing: no site restrictions. Anchoring: restricted.^[5]

Regulations change. Check with DRNA (Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales) before diving.

Depth reports by source