This dive site is located on the expansive private grounds of San Juan along with three other dive sites: Boka Grandi, Big Sponge, and Playa Largu. To get here by car, head west past Cas Abou and look for the red and white painted rock and the small sign for San Juan on your left. (If you get to Soto, you've gone too far!) Follow this road to the ruins of an old land house, where you"ll pay a small fee, which allows you access to all the beaches and dive sites beyond. There are no facilities here, so bring plenty of water and snacks. The quiet beaches are a great place to relax and usually deserted during the week, and the dirt roads and seaside trails running along the cliffs are worth exploring.

Playa Mansalina is located towards the northwest of San Juan. Follow the small signs along the side of the dirt road and park close to the water. The beach is an idyllic sandy strip, with plenty of shade from the Mansalina trees. Though these trees are pretty, their little apple-like fruit is poisonous and contact with the leaves can cause severe irritation. Enter at the sandy beach. Currents and waves are usually light, and this site has some very nice snorkeling along the rocks beside the cliffs. To reach the drop-off, swim straight out about 150 yards. The wall starts in 30 feet of water and falls below 120 feet; either direction is good. The reef consists of Star Coral, Brain Coral, Finger Coral, Tube Sponges, and Sea Rods, to name a few. Look for Eagle Rays, Creole Wrasses, Trunkfish, and Grouper, and don’t forget to check out the crevasses for Lobster, Crab, and Spotted Morays. This is a good dive for both macro and wide angle photographs.