best places to dive in mexico

Large gamefish species such as tuna, wahoo, and marlin are attracted by baitballs of schooling jacks, as well as the occasional sighting of a whale shark or humpback whale. 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. Chinchorro Banks - Unexplored Reef in Pristine Condition. If you are diving, don’t forget to pack a snorkel as many winter time tours also boast whale shark sightings. Along Cozumel’s near-shore coastline, the dives become progressively deeper and more challenging towards the center of the island. Another unusual option for diving, Mama Viña is an old shrimp ship intentionally sunk in 1995. With two coasts teeming with life, Thailand is a veritable playground for scuba enthusiasts. While it may not make many lists of the best places to go scuba diving in the world (or in Mexico ), Puerto Vallarta is still a fantastic choice if you want to include a bit of diving during your beach holiday. That’s Cenote Dos Ojos (or Cenote Two Eyes). 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. Divers flock here to enjoy easy drift dives along Cozumel’s steep but vibrant walls, with a bonanza of colorful hard corals, sponges, and gorgonians creating an aquarium backdrop for all manner of fish life, turtles, rays, and the occasional reef shark. Further out at the dramatic offshore walls and plateaus of Gordo Banks, oceanic pelagics regularly pass through on migration further into the Sea of Cortez. The normally clear water conditions add to its mystique, making it a perennial favorite among liveaboard guests. Dive Type: Shark Diving here is all about the great whites, and this is one of the best scuba diving destinations in the world to get up close and personal with these awesome predators. Deeper caves marked by a sign should only be explored with the relevant experience. Mexico is perhaps the best destination in the world for an introduction to cave diving. Xcalak is much quieter, offering not much more than snorkeling and beaches. Difficulty: Inshore sites for all levels, some offshore sites are only suitable for experienced divers. These statues were originally sculpted using models from the local community. However, when you do these two things on separate occasions in Mexico, you will have the best time there! Snorkelers and divers of all levels can enjoy the unique scenery where large entrance caves connect to dimly lit caverns, allowing a safe introduction to cave diving. Also known as MUSA, this dive site features more than 60 underwater installations from the famed sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. Watersports such as kayaking and paddleboarding are popular, as are cultural tours to the Mayan ruins. Two exciting events draw divers and underwater photographers each year to Isla Mujeres on the northeast tip of the Yucatan Peninsula near Cancun. The small African nation of Djibouti is also at its best, offering the chance to snorkel with numerous whale sharks. Among the more popular dive destinations in the Gulf of Mexico are the many oil rigs scattered from the Louisiana coast along into Mexican territory. Here we select our top dive locations around Mexico and her outlying islands, showcasing the best of this colorful region and its spectacular world-class diving. Located in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, The Riviera Maya is Mexico’s top holiday resort destination and very highly regarded by divers. WHERE: 240km off the Baja Peninsula RECOMMENDED DIVE SITE: Discovery Bay WHY: Guadalupe Island is one of the four best places to dive with Great White Sharks in the world, along with South Africa, California and Australia. Cozumel is within easy reach of Playa del Carmen on the mainland, providing an excellent opportunity for day trips to dive and snorkel the famous cenotes. The Pacific Coast of Mexico Less crowded than elsewhere in Mexico, the Pacific Coast offers a variety of sites, including reefs, deep sea drifts and one awesome wreck. Banco Chinchorro . The experience is truly breathtaking; a rare opportunity to get up close and personal with these magnificent creatures. The blue, warm, clear waters of the Caribbean are truly hard to beat and offer paradise conditions for beginners and advanced scuba divers alike. Be found, and May/June is baitball season the journey to the South, and Bari.... 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