Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Mexico

Caribe Blu (formerly La Lorena) hotel

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.

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.

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.

Hotel Barracuda is a 4.666666666666667-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Cozumel, Caribbean which is accessible from shore based on 3 ratings.

The Brain is also known as Arrecife el Cerebro.

Swanee Reef is also known as Swanee.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

Casa del Mar is a 3.6666666666666665-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Cozumel, Caribbean which is accessible from shore based on 3 ratings.

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.

Southwest side of Cozumel Island, near Palancar Reef.

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.

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.

Large coral heads scattered all over the bottom. Plenty of local marine life. The Atlantis submarine occasionally visits the site and can be seen by divers. Access by boat. The site is well known to local dive operators. Chankanaab Bolones is also known as Bolones.

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

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

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

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.

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

ESE 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.

East of Punta Nizuc; 21 km of Cancun hotel area

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Many schools of fish are found near the reef. It's slightly sandy so try to stay away from the bottom. Slants smoothly to a wall. Most action is near the top or above the slant. It's best to go by boat. It's across from the Fiesta Americana hotel (not exactly but close enough). Las Palmas Shallows is also known as Dzul Ha Beach.

This is a very popular reef of Cancun. Just north of Punta Cancun.

In front of the fisherman's jetty

In front of the point where Rio Bermejo plunge into the sea

Big Seqa Bass and other Pelagics. Lots of fish and Lobster South of San Diego

About 15 Underwather volcanic craters, the bigger one is about 85m diameter an 35m deep. calm and warm waters 28°C average all year long. prehispanic figures have been found here, prehistoric remains as well. little cave at west. From rio verde city, in SLP, MX drive drive west 4km turn left in a dirty road and drive 10km. La media Luna is also known as Media Luna, Rio Verde.

This is a cenote, essentially a technical dive. Most of the dive is dark, light required. Also there is no open water overhead for most of the dive. We went on a guided dive. There are two cenotes in the immediate area a short walk from parking. It was a fantastic dive with interesting geological formations and clear water conditions. You do go though a halocline at some points in the dive profile. 3 Cenotes at this site: Chac-Mool, Kukulkan, and Big Brother Vehicle access on dirt road northwest of Mexico 307, Ctra Tulum - Playa del Carmen. Short walk from parking area. We went with a guide. Chac Mool Cenote is also known as Kukulkan Cenote.

Behind Roqueta Island Las Cuevas is also known as The caves.

Deep slot just outside of reef where large schools of huge tarpon rest along with some very large grouper. Great place to swim amongst huge tarpon and grouper. Excellent living reef. We dove with XTC Diving in Xcalak, the departure point for Chinchorro Reef. Chinchorro Reef, Xcalak

Beautiful cenote with three rooms in which light enters from above in a beam that leaves you puzzled. Halocline hallucinations. Cavern dives possible with guide, cavedives. The Chinese Garden and The Waterfalls are particularly beautiful. Approx 26 km south of Playa Del Carmen; 5 km south of Puerto Aventuras. Just south of Xpu-Ha.

A fun dive with half coral and half sand. ' You see tons of different animals and fish Access by a tiny dive shop boat

Big Calico Bass and sea Bass. Half-way down Baja California

Black Sea Bass Half-way dowb Baja California

This is a good dive with a variety of marine life, including turtles,and nurse sharks.

Coco Beach 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.

NW point of Anegada de Adentro La Virgen is also known as Punta de la Virgen, Anegadita.

This dive site has low to no current. This is a good dive site for those who like free diving and snorkeling. Shallow. It has tiny coral formations. You can frequently see eagle rays and spotted eels. Palmitas is also known as palmitas.

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

It is a very small island frequented by divers in Mexico City and surrounding area divers. Once passed the red tape -done by the shop- you are on to a very memorable dive. If travelling to Lobos, consider taking a small present -bottle of licor- to the lighthouse keepers. They will be very appreciative, though they will not show it right off hand. Island near Tuxpan and Tamiahua Veracruz... only reachable with a special permission by PEMEX -Mexican Petroleum Company. Permission is usually granted to certified dive shops. Lobos is also known as Isla de Lobos.

Tortuga Reef is also known as Turtle Reef.

It's a shallow basin with lots of catfish, cichlids and mollys. All the rocks are covered by green algae. It's the most beautiful entry to an cenote I have seen. As far as I know the cave connects to Cenote Garden of Eden but I didn't go that far. Right next to Cenote "Ponderosa / Garden of Eden" is the entry to Cenote Azul. (The small Cenote Azul - there's another one in another part of Yucatan.) Theres a little entry fee to pay. Cenote Azul is also known as Small Cenote Azul.

Artificial reef, 90ft depth, first and second cover 80 to 70ft cover. Alive and in very good condition. Need to arrive by boat, local dive operators may easily lead.

Abundantes lairones (morena verde) Boya del sureste de la anegada de adentro

Small island with lots of wildlife hidden in the tip where the current hits Near the remains of the "Russian"

Place for all types of divers. Abundant Lairon (morena verde) Near the remains of the "Russian"

Buen recorrido hacia el norte o despues de 5 min al sur para pasar la zona dragada Boya cercana a la baliza verde

Al fondo se encuentra el ancla del morgan y cerca de ahi se pueden ver sabalos Lado norte por afuera del arrecife Morgan is also known as Ancla del Morgan.

Cueva de Pargo 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.

South Himalaya Bay is also known as El Himalaya.

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.

We dropped down to a sand bottom then headed west to a low coral reef with lots of soft corals, has a few sand cuts east west. Trunkfish, Nassau Grouper, moray eel, and sponges of all types. By boat just out in the middle of Akumal Bay.

Shallow reef with sand cuts, 3-6 feet deep, east/west. The reef is very healthy with lots of soft corals, seafans and small fish. Lots of lionfish. Some elkhorn coral coming back but small. By boat mid to slightly northern half of Halfmoon Bay.

Sandy bottom with islands of corals, some nice swim-throughs with some wide others narrow. Elkhorn corals pillar up to 25 ft from surface and you see an occasional halocline. Eagle rays, stingray, chased a barracuda through a swim-through. The islnads of corals are loaded with smaller fish and HUGE lobsters and gray angels. From boat from any of three dive centers in Akumal

Nice place with lots of elkhorn pillars and fish of all types, soft corals, butterfly, a school of white grunts?, and gray angelfish. The Elkhorn pillars are fun to hunt small fish. Some new elkhorns but not too many. Good photo place! By boat south of Akumal Bay La Inglacia is also known as The Church.

It appeared we were just SOUTH of the bay entrance when we dropped in but we did head north underwater. This was shallow and surgy so I had to focus on not being seasick. This site is similar to La Inglacia but with higher pillars of elkhors and deeper trenches. The reef must be narrow because we hit sandy bottom on the east side, saw spotted eagle ray, then headed NW and hit sand 50 yds in. The elkhorns are regrowing well here. We did see some haloclines and cooler water here. Take a boat from any of the Akumal dive shops to just east of Yal Ku lagoon.

Very murky from the hurricane yet, but a very nice place. We headed north paralleling the shore. There are many cuts 15 feet deep into the reef that run east west. Hopping the ridges I saw many fish and nice soft corals. We did drop into a narrow cut and a swim-through that was very tight. The further north we got the more battered the reef was. Nice sandy bottoms in the canyons. Saw flamingo toughs, two huge gray angles, a juvenile spotted drum, porkfish, one-eyed jacks, and a school of mackerel. From boat, in middle of Halfmoon Bay just north of Akumal

This Spot is where you can find bull sharks in November, December and January. Usually, a boat wil take you from the shore Sitio de los tiburones toro is also known as Bull Shark spot.

3.0 Km south of Xcalak La Chiminea is also known as Chimney, The Chimney.

Artificial Wreck. Pelicano Wreck is also known as Pelicano Ship Wreck, Naufragio Pelicano, Naufragio del barco Pelicano.

Usually the 2nd dive after the turtle garden. South of Playa del Carmen, near Xcaret.

Between San Francisco Wall and Punta Tunich

Sculptures made by Jason de Caires Taylor and placed here November 2009. Punta Nizuc; southern border of the National Marine Park of Isla Mujeres, Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc. La Jardinera de la Esperanza is also known as The Gardener of Hope.

Morro de La Manzanilla is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Central Pacific, Manzanillo Bay which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Blue Ha Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Yucatan, Mahahual which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Exectamente is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Yucatan, Cozumel Isalnd which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.