When to Go: December to May, Recently named a UNESCO World Heritage site, the largest reef atoll in the northern hemisphere. This dive site opens up to many other dive sites or can be enjoyed on its own. The Boiler is perhaps the most predictable site in the Socorro Islands for manta ray sightings with five or more regularly seen. There are two types of diving here. Recommended Level: Intermediate to Advanced ” Taking safety measures. 10 Reasons You Should Go Scuba Diving in Baja California. I haven’t had the pleasure of diving in Dos Ojos, but opted for the less-busy cenote La Calavera. Sea of Cortez Beach Club. Diving in Belize is one of the best in the Americas with famous diving spots such as Ambergris Caye and famous dives such as the Great Blue Hole and the Lighthouse Reef Atoll. Recommended Level: Beginner It is certainly a challenge from finding a dive center that has the permits to getting out there, but it is most certainly worth it. Eagle rays and nurse sharks make the occasional appearance. The article should have been called “Top 10 dive sites of Yucatan”. The first dive called ‘The Barbie Line’ on its 500m circuit, leads divers along the opening of the second eye, containing plenty of daylight and provides a lot of space for divers to explore the huge columns and stalactites. ISSN 1469-865X | Copyright © 1996 - 2021 deeperblue.net limited. When to Go: November to May. The Yucatan Peninsula and Mexico's Caribbean coast offer some of the best diving experiences you could hope for. This gorgeous island is not far from Cancun, but the shallow site known as “Afuera” is about 25 miles (40 kilometers) from Isla Mujeres. It’s all in the name. When to Go: December to April. Diving since I was 13 years old, I am currently a rescue diver working towards my Dive Master qualification. This dive site is located approximately 25 minutes by boat from the marina at Playa Del Carmen and consists of a wall, which extends between 20 and 30 meters deep. You can find out more at Suunto.com. In contrast with the mainland resorts, Cozumel offers a more relaxed and laid back feel. Both of these destinations are worth the long trip out to these isolated islands. When to Go: December to May. Recommended Level: Beginner The best way to dive Mexico is from land based resorts. Both snorkelers and scuba divers are welcome. Scuba divers and snorkelers find this breathtaking coral garden and all of the colorful tropical fish that call it home one of the best beaches in Mexico to explore. By Jeremy Foster posted May 30th, 2020. Read our full guide to Puerto Vallarta diving. This is certainly not a spot to be missed by any diver. These two cenotes appear like two eyes peering into the underworld below. Whale sharks are the largest fish in the sea, and Isla Mujeres is perhaps the best place in the world to get in the water with these creatures. The diving in Mexico is rich and diverse – from dramatic pinnacles surrounded by large pelagics in the Revillagigedos to gentle drifts dives over the coral gardens of Cozumel, from cage diving with great white sharks to exploring mysterious and beautiful freshwater caves hidden in dense jungle Here are our choice of the top sites… 1) COZUMEL The atoll covers 300 square miles (800 square kilometers), is protected by a Biosphere Reserve and is home to wrecks, drift dives and colorful reefs. Top 5 Dive Sites Of The US Virgin Islands, Top 6 Dive Sites In New South Wales, Australia, Activists Want The Maldives To Keep Its Prohibition On Shark Killing, Private Charters Now Available with Nautilus Dive Adventures, Volivoli Beach Resort Unveils New Dive Sites, The Wayne Hasson Legacy Scholarship Has Been Launched. The Gran Cenote and Dos Ojos seem most favorited and great for snorkeling, swimming and just the adventure of it. https://www.simplyscuba.com/ Simply Scuba counts down five of some of the most unique diving destinations that Mexico has to offer. Suunto is the world’s leading dive computer designer and manufacturer providing diving instruments for recreational, technical and freediving. Dive Type: Cave The beach club didn't disappoint. Diving in underwater cenote at Yucatan Peninsula. The sheer variety of dive sites in Mexico makes it one of the best diving destinations in the world. Between the Atlantic, the Pacific, the Caribbean and a freshwater cave system, it holds thousands of dive sites to explore, including everything from shark encounters to pristine reefs and manta cleaning stations. Mexico is perhaps the best destination in the world for an introduction to cave diving. Dive Type: Shore/Snorkel This is due to its system of flooded freshwater caves, locally called cenotes. Dive Type: Pinnacle/Blue Water Cozumel is more laid back with many smaller resorts and inns. These four sites are located to the southeast of the island. LOS CABOS. They have wonderful local dive masters who speak perfect english, and have been diving there for ever. Sea of Cortez. Suunto is the world’s leading dive computer designer and manufacturer providing diving instruments for recreational, technical and freediving. It is also one of the best scuba diving destination in Mexico. Your options for exploring them range from standard half-day fun dives to epic … Along with South Africa, California and Australia, Isla Guadalupe in Mexico is one of... 3. Recommended Level: Advanced We’ve been dedicated to bringing you the freshest news, features, and discussions from around the underwater world since 1996. This is a popular dive site and provides access to some beautiful and healthy coral reef systems. Recently named a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Revillagigedo Islands are located 240 miles (390 kilometers) off the Baja Peninsula in the Pacific Ocean. Located 150 miles (240 kilometers) off the Baja Peninsula, this island is annually home to approximately 170 individuals. Keep in mind that this dive should not be attempted by novice divers. Here, you can enjoy world-class diving destinations such as Isla Mujeres and Cozumel. Where the salt water and fresh water meet, it’s like diving through a stained glass snow globe, which is disorienting and beautiful. Also I highly recommend the town of Xcalak, which is more remote than Mahahual (no cruise ship crowds). Show Prices . The normally clear water conditions add to its mystique, making it a perennial favorite among liveaboard guests. The best diving in Mexico is dotted around the country so your arrival airport depends largely on where you want to dive. The crystal clear, blue waters of the Caribbean are certainly hard to beat and offer idyllic conditions for both advanced and beginner scuba divers. The original cave diving exploration of the whole cave system within the Riviera Maya began through these cenotes. This underwater museum was created in order to divert tourists away from other reef systems in order to protect them and to help them recover. Find the best Dive Professionals, Dive Centers and Liveaboards in Mexico. People from all over the world have second homes along this bay because of the tranquility it offers. Best way to know everything we can offer is to contact us and we can call you whenever you’re available. With less that 1% being above water, this atoll has been witness to almost 200 wrecks, which date back to the 16th century. When to Go: May to November. However, if you boat just 20 minutes out into the port, the Gulf of Mexico's clear blue-green waters shine through and offer some of the best scuba diving in Mexico. Take an introductory SCUBA course in Cancun and dive at one of Mexico's best diving spots. Recommended Level: Beginner Usually, the best diving in Mexico is found in the most remote locations such as the protected Banco Chinchorro. However, adventurous divers can take advantage of the annual migration by getting in the water with these predators. Cancun Airport is the most connected internationally welcoming direct flights from Paris, Frankfurt and Miami. In general, they say scuba diving in Mexico is “the best along the Riviera Maya and Costa Maya coastal areas”, where the Yucatan Peninsula meets the quiet, warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. From the spectacular corals, sponges, sea fans and a myriad of macro-invertebrates that cover this wall, you will certainly not be disappointed on this dive. For uncrowded sites and top visibility book your Tulum dive vacation between May-November. Mexico Has It All. When to Go: May to September. These destinations are the primary liveaboard destinations in Mexico. THE WORLD\'S LARGEST COMMUNITY DEDICATED TO FREEDIVING, SCUBA DIVING AND SPEARFISHING. Some scientists believe that this region annually boasts the largest congregations of whale sharks at any one time. Along with South Africa, California and Australia, Isla Guadalupe in Mexico is one of the four best places to dive with great white sharks. Coral pinnacles rise from a sandy bottom which slopes slowly down to a drop-off. Some of the best diving in Mexico can be found in this area, including the amazing Banco Chincorro. Most of the scuba diving in Mexico takes place off the Caribbean coast from Cancun and playa Del Carmen as well as the nearby islands of Isla Mujeres and Cozumel. These are two very different cave systems, which start and end in the same place. This guide is brought to you by Suunto. Meanwhile, over on the other coast, you’ll find the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean. (VIDEO) (Video not showing clearly? You are likely to see turtles, barracuda, lobsters, stingrays and nursing sharks. It is the darker of the two and leads to an air-filled bat cave where there is little light penetration. I love their personalized service! Oh dear… An article about the “best dive sites of Mexico” that does not even mention The Sea of Cortez, Soccoro, Guadalupe, Cabo Pulmo national park , La Paz sea lion colony etc.. Those that are interested in scuba diving have access to so many options that are wonderful. If you are diving, don’t forget to pack a snorkel as many winter time tours also boast whale shark sightings. Five Best Places to Scuba Dive in Mexico. In Akumal visit the akumal dive shop, they have been there since the 70s and provide an excelent service. Dive Type: Reef/Wall/Drift The one-tank dive on Cancun's local reefs does not require full certification, and all equipment is provided for you. When to Go: November to March. In English, Dos Ojos means ‘two-eyes’ and refers to these two neighboring Cenotes, which connect into one very large cavern zone. Dive vacations in Mexico are perfect for those looking for shark diving and cenote specialties. You might get a glimpse of mackerels, jacks, snapper, eagle rays, mobula rays, cownose rays and, with any luck, scalloped hammerhead sharks or silky sharks. The 8 Best Places to Dive in Mexico Socorro (of the Revillagigedo Islands) The Revillagigedo Islands consists of few volcanic peaks that poke up from an underwater mountain range. We recommend that you use a Suunto Dive Computer when diving one of these dive sites. You have entered an incorrect email address! As a unique site, this part of Cancun is perfect for fun underwater photography. Our Mexican dive resorts offer the opportunity to explore the MUSA, an underwater contemporary museum of art consisting of over 500 life-size sculptures. During other times during the year, you might also spot a humpback or gray whale on your way to the island. Huge stalagmites, stalactites, and columns pierce through the water providing endless wonder and adventure. It is the western hemisphere’s largest coral atoll and is on most seasoned diver’s bucket lists. First, they relieve some of the pressure placed on the area’s other coral reefs by creating a secondary attraction for snorkelers and scuba divers. They run small groups and fast boats. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There, I had the opportunity to dive through a halocline. Cave Diving in Mexico is the best option for all of those scuba divers who are attracted to the bowels of the Earth. Cenote Dos Ojos, Yucatan. From standard reef diving to intriguing Cenotes (subterranean sinkholes), there is something for every level of diver. As one of the most popular dives in Mexico, don’t expect to be the only diver underwater. This majestic pool can be enjoyed by divers and non-divers alike and is a great place to take the family to cool down and explore in the hot summer months. When to Go: June to September. When staying in the Yucatan Peninsula, you’ll have your choice of several, but one cenote stands out as the best dive in the region. When to Go: July to November. The cenotes of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula have become a popular cliff diving destination. The name of the cenote really sums this place up, as it is quite simply a deep pit carved into the ground. Besides being home to the second-largest barrier... 2. Then, they were placed underwater for two purposes. The blue, warm, clear waters of the Caribbean are truly hard to beat and offer paradise conditions for beginners and advanced scuba divers alike. There really are no words to describe what it feels like to explore Banco Chinchorro and to know that you are most likely one of the only dive boats diving this atoll that stretches for over 600 square miles.