Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Mexico

Caribe Blu (formerly La Lorena) hotel

This is a typical nice second dive. S of Chankanaab Marine National Park; before Yucab reef, opposite Punta Tormentos.

Snorkel from shore on great Maya barrier that extends from the Mexican Caribe through costal Belize to the Honduran Bay Islands. Lodge in beach cabana ($25 per night) with 20m walk across white sand beach to shore. Sleep 'til you wake, snorkel, eat, drink and repeat. Nirvana. Fly to Cancun, QR, Mexico, rent a car and drive south to Mahahual.

Once inside the property, a nice, shallow shore dive can be had with tons of juvies. Great spot for a night dive on this little strip/patch reef. Nothing compared to Bonaire shore diving but pretty good for critter spotting close to shore in Cozumel. Just down the road from Caribe Blu hotel (closer to town) is the popular all inclusive dive resort called Scuba Club Cozumel.

Palancar Beach, one of the best all-around beach spots on Cozumel, is especially acclaimed for its water sports, including kayaking, snorkeling, sailing and diving. You can rent a dive charter and also grab some grub at the nearby restaurants and bars. Travelers especially recommend Palancar Beach and Palancar Reef for cruise patrons looking to escape a pre-planned excursion for a more authentic experience. Travelers also described the just-offshore Palancar Gardens as an excellent spot for divers of all skill levels. Even if you're an experienced diver, it's recommended you rent a charter to avoid the hassle of permits or licensing. All diving companies must have a license to operate, and while swimmers are allowed to dive on their own, we recommend that you hire local experts who are familiar with the diving terrain. Others say it's a must-do even if you're planning just to skim the surface snorkeling the Palancar Shallows.

The Coral Princess provides an excellent set of concrete steps for entering, and their dive shop, Pepe Scuba, will leave tanks out for you day or night, which makes this quite an attractive spot, especially for night diving. It is possible to dive all the way out to the reef a football field away, but the current generally renders this plan futile. It's better just to follow the iron shore south or north, staying shallow, admiring the schools of fish and the excellent sponge growth. There are lots of crevices, small bays, a couple swimthroughs to hide lobster, octopus, moray and little things like Christmas tree worms and juvenile angels constantly take center stage. A very worthwhile dive or snorkel. From the center of San Miguel de Cozumel, head north on the main highway two miles to the Coral Princess hotel, located right on the shore.

Considered one of the best dive sites in Cozumel, Punta Sur is characterized by an impressive deep wall on the southern end of the island, reaching down to 165ft/ 50m. Remarkable swim-troughs will take you down to the Devil's Throat, a narrow tunnel lined with red sponges, located inside this area's largest coral mound. Once you enter a large cave that leads to a smaller cavern, the narrow opening of the “throat” becomes visible. The swim through lasts a few seconds only, but creates unforgettable memories! Once outside, numerous other exciting tunnels take you through a labyrinth of corals until you ascend over a sandy slope up to 30ft/ 10m depth, accompanied by sting rays, turtles, nurse sharks and eagle rays. There is a cave named "The Cathedral" with large sponges. Due to narrow penetrations and depth, this dive is recommended for very advanced divers only, since it can be dangerous if lacking excellent buoyancy and air consumption. Punta Sur is located at Punta Sur ! (Extreme S of Cozumel island)

Hotel Barracuda is a 4.75-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Cozumel, Caribbean which is accessible from shore based on 4 ratings.

Great dive site. Supreme and probably one of the best not only in Cozumel but the Caribbean. Plenty of big fish as well as little fish and water clarity is amazing. Even at depth, the surface looks closer than it really is. By boat is the way to reach this dive site. The shore is visible from the dive boat. Santa Rosa Wall is also known as Rosa Wall.

This is an amazing spot. Though, please be wary of the sea lions because they love to zip in an make you soil your wetsuit. The Sea lion colony is on the opposite side of Land's end and they love to play with divers. The diving is great for beginner to advanced because the water depth range is 25-150ft with tons of reefs, a old wreck, hundreds of schools of fish, a small cave, and every a horrible visibility of 50-75ft in the morning to 35-50ft late afternoon to evening. The current has a tendency of being a bit strong and will actually take you right around the point without a kick from you if you start on the colony side. It is a blast for all levels and interests. A great map I later found to show others is at http://www.loscabosguide.com/diving/divemap.htm - Erik From the airport, watch out for timeshare people and get in a taxi, van, or if lucky, your travel agent will have a van waiting for you. On the way to Los Cabos, you will see an enormous array of dive sites, and usually the drivers can tell you the most popular ones (if your driver speaks English or you Spanish). In Los Cabos, Land's End is just past Lover's Beach and El Arco (The Rainbow). To get there you will either need to bribe a water taxi ($3 per person anywhere you want to go), or get a dive boat ($40-45 includes tank, boat, weights, and bottled water). I tried many of the dive centers there but was really happy with Cabo Pro Dive in the Las Glorias and Villa Palmar hotels. You can leave your gear with them and they will clean it for you (they do a good job too). The dive boats are all small so no standing jumps, all water entries are backwards drops. - Erik

This is a Cavern Dive...Not a Cave Dive. Crystal fresh water and lots of Stalactites, stalagmites and columns. Good buoyancy required. Dos Ojos is located near a place called Xel Ha. It is on the highway from Playa del Carmen to Tulum. Turn right if you are driving from PDC towards Tulum about 500m after Xel Ha, you'll see a big sign for it. From there drive on a dirt road for about 10min. If you want to dive this site you will need a guide, you can not dive without it. Cenote Dos Ojos is also known as Dos Ojos Cavern.

It's a wall full of small life, with some eels and some medium fishes. The current it's strong, but if you are in the right position, you could travel along the wall without effort, and then the boat retrieve you when you reach the surface. If you are lucky, you could some big rays It's near the shore, but too far to reach it by enter from the shore. Any dive center will take you there by boat Pared Verde is also known as Green wall.

The Brain is also known as Arrecife el Cerebro.

This is a great dive for photographers wanting maximum bottom time. Good second dive also. Just N of Punta Sur (S of Cozumel Island). Columbia Reef is also known as Columbia Pinnacles, Columbia Shallow.

Several small hard coral finger reefs come right to shore in this area. In the summer, water is calm and clear (50 ft). Easy entries from sandy beaches. Huge schools of fish, plus sea lions. Current can be very strong if you get too far from shore. From Los Cabos International Airport (San Jose del Cabo), Mexico: Head north for 71 km (44 mil.) on Mex Hwy 1 - going through the small towns Miraflores and Santiago. Just past hwy marker 92km will be a junction at Las Cuvaso to La Ribera and Cabo Pulmo (jst before a gigantic wash with a bridge spanning it). Turn right here. Drive 8 km (5 mi.), passing the small town of Santa Cruz. At the out skirts of the town of La Ribera, turn right again and head towards Punta Colorada and Cabo Pulmo. Continue straight (about 26 km [16 mi.]) on this paved road as it bends south a mile inland. Continue past Punta Colorada for about 5-10 minutes. At this point the road turns into a washboard dirt road. You will pass through two small towns, El Rincon and Las Barracas. Approaching Cabo Pulmo, you will descend down a large steep hill with a beautiful vista of the bay. Note that Cabo Pulmo has no street names. Once in Cabo Pulmo, your first landmark will be Titos Bar (a small palapa - thatched roof structure) on the right. Continue driving through town for a few miles and turn left at the sign for Playa Los Arbolitos. Drive down to the beach (the road is very rough but drivable with a regular rental car). There is ample parking. Playa Los Arbolitos has excellent snorkeling but limited diving. To reach a better area, hike the coastal trail that starts to the right (as you face the water) for about a mile to Playa La Sirenita.

Easy sandy beach entry. This is a cove, so there are two options to dive (left or right). Both sides are slopes with a max. depth of the cove 140ft. The best depth to see lot of tropical fish is at 30-60 feet. Recommended when there are no waves, and dive half a tank to go, and half a tank to come back so that way you do not have to snorkel or swim a long way. Easy to get there!! All the way to the south side hotel zone in Puerto Vallarta, to (Mismaloya beach) where hotel Barcelò is located. You can easily drive and park right in front of the beach for a comfortable set up your equipment. If you are not traveling with gear, it's easy to rent your equipment or tanks and weights. www.vallartaexplore.com

Southwest side

E off Cabo Pulmo

Part of Playa del carmen reefs. Jardines is also known as Gardens.

Swanee Reef is also known as Swanee.

Easy entry into the wreck if you wish. Tons of life around the wreck if you choose to check it out instead of going into the ship. Boat access from Puerto Morelos C-56 Shipwreck is also known as C56.

Entry and exit are ridiculously easy. Gear up on the concrete platform next to the boat ramp and then hop into 4' of water off the end. The bay is relatively shallow but there is lots to see. There is a wrecked shrimp trawler right in front of the entry, swim about 70 yards out and it is just past the line of rocks that break the surface. At low tide the hull of the boat protrudes from the water, the wreck sits in about 15'-20' of water. If there isn't too much surge you can penetrate the wreck, the interior has a lot of encrusting corals, so please be careful! To the right of the boat ramp is what is referred to locally as the "Spanish anchor", supposedly off a Spanish Galleon. It is a huge "anchor-shaped" anchor, obviously quite old, so... There is a lot of life to see, look for the huge eels in the sand-flats or scorpion fish among the rocks. Spotted stingrays are very common. During my last trip there I videoed 5 different species of puffers, including a two-foot monster inside the wreck. The shallow depths (max. depth I have found is around 35') make this a great place to snorkel. You can enter from the boat ramp, but if you are just snorkeling you can enter anywhere along the beach as well. This place is very special, if you go you will want to spend the day. Going to Tehuamixtle is like stepping back 20 years. The beach is always deserted, the water is warm and blue, and there are no beach vendors selling Indonesian sarongs. Drive South from Puerto Vallarta on Highway 200 for about 40 minutes to the town of el Tuito (look for the Pemex station on the left). Take a right into the town. When you get to the main square keep to the left, you will see a Tehuamixtle sign pointing to the left about a block past the plaza. If you have any doubt, just ask anyone how to get to Tehua (Tay-wah). After leaving town it is a scenic 45 minute drive over graded dirt roads. The trip used to require a high-clearance vehicle, but these days any rental car will get you there. Once you get to the Port of Tehuamixtle you can park on the main pier or next to one of the two restaurants in town. I like the restaurant "Liz Adriana" on the left.

Moc Che Deep is a 5.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Yucatan, Playa del Carmen which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.

North from Tulum; eight kilometers from the Highway 307 intersection.

Great novice dive - very easy entry & exit, very shallow waters. You can rent anything you need from beachside dive operators who will provide a guide for your group as well as all equipment for around $50 - $60 per person. Be wary of some of the uncertified operators: while you won't get bad air, the equipment maintenance is sketchy and they don't seem to care if you bleed your tank dry or whether you wanted to see the submerged crucifix (a good 20m against current over barren sand to see a pretty mediocre statue, underwater or no, burning air that you would rather spend looking at the small but lush reef closer to shore). Pay the extra $5 to go to the PADI operator next door and you'll get better quality of equipment and a better guide A state park about 9 km south of San Miguel on the island of Cozumel, Mexico. You can catch a cab from any hotel, the airport or cruise ship for about $5/head. No mystery here about finding the place - Cozumel's too small! -- Suzanne D'Aunoy

Casa del Mar is a 4.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Cozumel, Caribbean which is accessible from shore based on 4 ratings.

This is an amazing dive site. It became globally famous after Jacques Ives Cousteau dived the reef. It features many huge coral columns. Lots of fish are visible on this dive and the water clarity is fantastic. The outer of the reef wall south of the Horseshoe and Palancar caves. Palancar Deep is also known as Palancar reef.

Very plentiful and abundant reef with lots of fish, coral, and sponges. Lobsters and eels are seen on the site at times. Makes a great dive for everyone, even new novice divers. Just south of San Miguel Paraiso Bajo is also known as Paradise Reef.

This dive consists of beautiful coral garden with chutes leading off into the deep. The normal path usually goes no deeper than 70 feet, though it is possible to drop further off the wall. Major features include an arch at 70 feet, large brain coral at approximately 55 feet, and channels running throughout the reef structure. Due to the low current, this is a good spot to relax, photograph, and learn navigation. Turtles and Nurse sharks have been spotted on the reef, along with large groupers, French, Gray, and Queen Angelfish. This site is easily accessed by boat with a short drop to a sandy patch around 20 feet.

just south off Playa San Francisco Yucab Reef is also known as Yucab.

Commonly known as "Rocky Point" a favorite vacation spot for many Arizonans. About 4 hours away from Phoenix - No passport required. Several good shore diving locations. About 30 miles north of Puerto Penasco, at the northeast corner of the Sea of Cortez

Drift Dive following coastline from NE to SW. Sloped terrain, lots of sea life at deep and shallow levels.

Sloping wall with huge sponges and gargonians, varied marine life. Wall stars at 35 feet , then slopes into the abyss. Dive usually done between the two piers. Second dive after Barracuda.

A beautiful drift dive with lots of turtles on every dive. You will need a boat to get to the dive site. From Playa del Carmen is only around 10 to 15min from shore. Tortugas Reef is also known as Turtle Reef.

Southwest side of Cozumel Island, near Palancar Reef.

Aquarius Playa Maroma is a 4.0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Yucatan, Playa del Carmen which is accessible from shore based on 1 ratings.

Starts on the reef on a sandy bottom (with garden eels), and follow the slope to the wall. NE of Pelikan rock. North Wall is also known as Las Cuevas.

Near La Ceiba Hotel. Also known as Airplane Flats. The plane remains are on the bottom upside down, and there is not much of it there. It was put there by La Ceiba after it was used in a movie, and then removed, but the hotel supposedly had it put back. It is not that far north of the international pier, which is about 2.5 miles south of the ferry pier you would have arrived at. If memory serves me right La Ceiba has both a tall tower, and a 2 or 3 story section similar to a motel, and I think they have their own in house dive shop. Aqua World (another dive shop) is a bit north, about 100 to 200 yards.

Great dive site for all divers. The reef goes gradually from 5 to 30 meters deep, then a deep wall up to 40 meters and more... There is a sandy submarine canyon located NNE from the rock, named "Sandfalls" that goes up to 30m. Also good for night dive. Approximatively between the harbor and the Point. There are on big rock (La anegada) and three small ones (including Pelikan rock). Anegada Rock is also known as Pelican Rock.

The Point is the only dive site wher you dive both the Sea of Cortes and the Pacific Ocean! The flat rock nearby is where a small colony of California sea lions live. They usually play with the divers. It's a magical dive. You also may see some turtles and huge sea bass, as well as pelagic shoals, whales and mantas. There is also a shipwrech SE of the rock (24m deep). Take care of the strong currents that may be encoutered sometime. This is the most southern rock of Baja! The Point is also known as La Punta, Land's End.

A vertical granite wall covered by a moving cascade of sand falling down Close to Pelican Rock

Discovered in the late 1960s by Jacques Cousteau Approx 30min from Cancun. N of Isla Mujeres.

Chun-zumbul is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Yucatan, Playa del Carmen which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Nice shallow reef (50 ft) with shallow narrow cuts. Gorgorians cover the top of the reef with barrel sponges, vase sponges, sea fans and elkhorns. Lots of fish in the holes, butterflies, cowfish, trunkfish, and rock beauties. Streight out from Akumal Bay. Herradura is also known as Horseshoe.

Big grouper and playful green moray eels. Punta Tunich is also known as Tunich Reef.

Far east of Punta Cancun

The maximum depth is 80 feet where the sand slope begins. Huge rocks form crevices and small swim throughs. The main wall goes down to 40 feet and it is covered with corals, gorgonians, ascidians, sponges and bryozoans. During the months of April, May and June large aggregations of the colorful nudibranch Tambja abdere can be observed. The dive site known as La Pared (The Wall) is located on the lea side of the round island. La Pared is also known as The Wall.

Shore dive. Stay to either side and follow the rocks to avoid the anchored boats and find the sea life and rock formations. Best as an early morning dive, less boat traffic and parking is limited.

Northernmost point of Santiago Bay (Approx 45 min from La Boquita). Pena Blanca is also known as White Rock.

East of Punta Nizuc; 21 km of Cancun hotel area

ESE of Punta Cancun (between the C-58 Mine Sweeper and the Cuevas de Afuera)

The C-53 Felipe Xicotencatl is a retired Mexican Navy Minesweeper, sunk June 6, 2000. It is 184 feet long & 33 feet wide. It lies in 80 Feet of water. The Marine Park established a 4:1 diver to dive master ratio for those entering the wreck, and all divers must have lights. Coral growth is minimal, though there is life in and around the wreck. Currents can vary widely within hours from light to strong. The C-53 lays outside of Balones de Chankanaab, on a sandy plain between Tormentos & Chankanaab. The dive site is supposed to be marked by a buoy. Sometimes this is simply an overturned plastic bottle. Best to visit by boat. Note: It could be done as a shore dive from Chankanaab Park, but it's a long swim ;-) C-53 Xicotencatl is also known as Felipe Xicotencatl.

El Tunel is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Yucatan, Cancun which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

South of Punta Cancun

This reef has been chosen to host the sculptures of Jason de Caires Taylor: Coleccionista de los Sueños (The Archive of Lost Dreams) and Hombre en Llamas (Man on Fire). They have been placed here in november 2009. South of Isla Mujeres. Part of the National Marine Park of Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc. Manchones reef is also known as Coleccionista de los Sueños, The Archive of Lost Dreams, Hombre en Llamas, Man on Fire.

entrance fee Approx 5 km south of Puerto Aventuras just before Xpu-Ha; 25 Km from Playa del Carmen.

ESE of Punta Cancun.

The San Luciano is a 300-foot-long steam vessel, sunk during the hurricane of 1959. This wreck is home of many sea horses and marine sea life. This is a great dive site for snorkelling (the top of the wreck is only 4 ft. beneath the surface). Visibility can range from < 5m upwards to 15 or 20m. The best time to dive here is around 11:00-Noon with clear skies for better light penetration. The site is surrounded by fine sand so silting can be an issue. The San Luciano wreck is located just 50m (300 yards) off shore of La Boquita area (Santiago Bay).

Far south of Isla Mujeres Bandera is also known as La Bandera.

Snorkeling and children. Outside, good dive site. To lagoon, from shore. To outside lagoon, by boat or swimming directly in a short distance.

Mine Sweeper wreck SE of Punta Cancun C-58 Wreck is also known as C 58, Tulum shipwreck.

Just NW of Punta Cancun.

Very good dive site and very close from shore. Surrounding volcanic rock pinnacles covered with bright-colored sponges, stony corals and starfish give it its name. Depths reach 100feet and visibility ranges from 50 to 100 feet. "Los Frailes" or "The Friars" lies about 10 minutes from the mainland in the open ocean. The dive site is located near 3 rock outcroppings in open ocean almost straigh out (1 mile) from the La Boquita area of Santiago Bay. Los frailes is also known as Friars.

The dive area is opposite the big white sand beach in Xpu-Ha. A short boat ride will take you underwater where little coral bars run offshore parallel to each other.

E of Cabo Frailes

Santo Remedio is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Yucatan, Cancun which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Tugboat sunk as an artificial reef. Approx 2 miles South of the Mujeres island

Dive Torrecillas! Arches, caverns... a nice dive for intermediate divers. Located in front of punta ixtapa. Boat ride form both marinas from ixtapa is even closer but padi or naui corporations only available in town not many instructors to guide the trips if you have dive master or higer to rent tanks you can get them on the zihua marina. Torrecillas is also known as ixtapa torrecillas.

Just ten minutes from Mismaloya

invertebrates and Halibut in the sand South of San Diego

This dive site is must do for advanced divers who are looking for something a little different. The name means "little angel" in English and there may not be a better way to describe this magical dive site. The setting is perfect as you walk a short distance through the jungle to the rather large hidden away cenote. To describe it simply this cenote does nothing else but go straight down 200 feet. Fresh water with unlimited visibility makes up the first one hundred feet and salt water the other half is separated by a mystical layer of hydrogen sulfate. This layer in the middle appears as a dense cloud from the top and strange colored hue from the bottom. Bring your dive lights, as you will need them if you are going to penetrate through to the bottom. There are not many dives in the world where you can dive in the clouds at 100 feet and see trees, but this is one. The deepest point of this cenote really is at 200 feet so go with the proper gasses in your tanks but more importantly the right guide showing you the best and safest dive possible. 17 Kilometers South of Tulum, 5 min walk through the jungle

This is just one site that is swarming with wildlife. Pelican Rock is a great dive site for beginner to advanced because it has a nice reef outcropping all the way around the point and a great wall that drops to around 100-150ft. There are Sandfalls (you would have to see it to believe it) and wildlife at every turn. At some points you can't help but feel disoriented when swallowed up by any number of schools of fish in the area. This is a favorite spot for dive boats to drop beginners to advanced off and it can get a bit crowded, but head out around 9am and you will be fine with the best visibility (50-75ft). Otherwise visibility get bad in afternoon at around (35-50ft). - Erik Once you arrive at the airport, and through customs, you will find yourself surrounded by timeshare salesmen. A Taxi to Los Cabos is around $50 USD. Or you can take a van for $25-35 USD (the vans pack in many travelers and might be stopping at various places along the way. Not the fastest way but you get to see a lot of hotels). Once in Los Cabos, getting to Pelican rock is as easy as walking down to the beach and yelling "I WANT TO GO DIVING!" you will then be approached by 1-100 people who will ask you to come with them. Pick one and pay no more than $45 USD and everything else is taken care of. I personally suggest Cabo Pro Dive at either the Hotel Villa Palmar or they are at the Hotel Las Glorias. They can take all your gear and clean it for you at no charge instead of you having to deal with it from a hotel room. Plus the dive master, Olmo, loves to take people out and show them his favorite spots, and you will see a bunch. - Erik

Approx 11 km southwest of Punta Vallera; just after the Arches.

Passage from one side of the island to the other with Sea Lions all around you. purple hydrocorals South of San Diego

Guano covered island you can dive around with a single tank, although best diving is on it's eastern side and it's seaward tip. Visibility varies by season from a best of 50-60ft to less than 10. Dive is mostly over a slope of rubble which ends at a sandy bottom (45-60ft). Not many large fish due to fishing pressure, but very good variety an quantity of smaller rocky reef fish & invertebrates, including many octopus, seahorses, and tent olives (Oliva porphirya) Short boat ride from Miramar Beach

Manta rays are commonly be seen! Southern side of Banderas Bay; about an hour south of Puerto Vallarta. Majahuitas is also known as Mahahuitas.

purple hydrocorals, invertibrates, lobsters South of the Coronados Islands

Visibility and current can vary hugely from day to day. From 5' Visibility to 100' and 0 to 4+ Knot currents. Almost always strong surge as waves break overhead. Must be accessed by boat from local dive shop. Has 2 mooring lines. It is inside the reef in the Puerto Morelos national marine park (Fee Required)

Similar to "Primera gringa" site, but shallower in general. Off the ocean side there's a black coral "forest" in deeper water. By short boat ride from Miramar beach

Some of its interesting features are: laberinthlike rocks to swim through while seeing schools of fish, an archway covered with corals and sea fans housing all kinds of nocturnal species like squirrel fish, soldier fish and octopi and remains of a shipwreck know only by a few. In the sandy bottom, with some patience and a good eye, there are some interesting symbiotic relationships to observe, like the couples of gobbies sharing a borrow couples of blind shrimp: the gobbie keeps an eye out for potential predators while the shrimp keeps the place clean. There are also important populations of nudibranchs and sea hares. Area of sandy and rocky bottom located between el Morro and the Marietas Islands with a mean depth of 60 to 80 feet.

Sea bass, Calico bass and Halibut in the sand South of San Diego

NE of Coral Los Frailes