We're staying at the Mata Chica Aug 24-28. We want to relax, dive and check out San Pedro. What's the best way to get to town and to dive shops? Are there any good dive shops near us?

I saw your posting about Mata Chica, as I am doing some research on where to stay on A/C, and I was wondering how your trip was. Did you like MataChica? I hope you get this....Let me know. You can write me at erikaspencer@hotmail.com

there is a map you can download from the home page. on it you will see that mata chica is the FARTHEST north resort on the island. one way in, one way out, and that is by boat. they run water taxis. it should take you about 20-25 minutes to get to town by boat. bring a hat that doesnt fly off your head, they zip!

I cannot say enough GREAT things about our stay last month at Mata Chica. Correct, it is away from town, but that was one of the parts we loved! The island has everything figured out as far as water taxis, so getting back and forth to town or dive spots is no problem whatsoever. It's quite impressive how organized they are. The staff at Mata Chica is top-notch and will do everything they can to make your stay as relaxing as possible. They will make all the necessary calls to sign you up and arrange transportation. They'll just let you know what time to meet your ride (a boat) at their pier (about 50 away). Very easy!

You will have a wonderful time -- guaranteed.
We're trying to save enough $$$ to go back & stay at Mata Chica again. Loved It!

We stayed at Captain Morgan's and it is also up north. Mata Chica is just a little further north. We loved being away from town but it also was very easy to get to town via water ferry service US$5 per person each way.
We enjoyed the daily boat rides to and from town. The ferry service works great and I hear they also have a water taxi service you can call to pick you up and take you anywhere but it is a little more. We did not try it so. Since we live in crowded S.Calif. we loved being more remote surrounded by nature but in no way did we feel trapped. We did go into town for dinner and bars etc.

yes i did not mean to sound negative. i stayed at journeys end, between mata chica & captn morgans, and the seclusion was great. next time, i think i would stay closer to town. if anything, just for more variety of meals.

the scenery up north cant be beat. see my photos of journey's end at:
http://ambergriscaye.com/jane

they have a terrific dive shop at JE, steve the dive master is a neat person, to boot. he was featured on temptation island. my husband did 9 dives with him and was not disappointed on any.

The water taxi from Mata Chica is $10. US per person. When we stayed this March for a family of four the cost was $40. US each way, $80.US round trip for lunch or dinner. The resort has a boat each morning and later in the afternoon but to just go for lunch or dinner it got somewhat expensive. The resort boat is free but you must leave around 8:30 - 9 am and then take taxi back or wait until 4 oclockish for the resort boat. Bottom line if you want to go on your schedule to town expect to pay $20. US roung trip / person for the taxi. One of the things I thought Mata Chica could improve upon. They have discount water taxi tokens but we were told they were for non guests only ( coming for lunch / dinner ). That didn't make sense to me either at $300.+ / per night. Great place but some things irked me and would probably stay in town next time.

joe, i felt the same way. i really wnated seclusion that trip, but next time, closer to town for sure. the meals alone would save you a bundle from what you pay for, say, breakfast at the resorts up north. $6.95 for eggs & bacon?? breakfast at canibals in town cost that for both of us. and we got to eat with our toes in the sand

frosty see my posting "marty board very helpful" hope this answers some of your questions...say hello to rob the bartender at mata chica from garfish