Where to dive in the Riviera Maya

In terms of scuba diving, Mexico has nothing to envy other destinations. The Riviera Maya is home to exceptional seabeds and a very rich aquatic fauna. Beginners or experienced divers will have a choice to make among the numerous diving sites in Mexico. Here are some tips on where to dive in the Riviera Maya.

When to dive

The conditions depend on the season and the coast you are on. Along the Caribbean Sea, we advise you to avoid the months of July to November, which correspond to the rainy and hurricane season.

Playa del Carmen

Punta Venado, Los Arcos and Mama Viña

Playa del Carmen is the most popular resort of the Riviera Maya. It is surrounded by 15 dive sites suitable for beginners and advanced divers. Underwater, it is a real parade of tropical fish and sea turtles. Discover especially the sites of Punta Venado and Los Arcos. If your level allows it, you can approach Mama Viña, the wreck of a shrimp boat that sank in 1997.

Where to dive in the Riviera Maya: Isla Cozumel

The Palancar Reef

Four exceptional dive sites are located in the southeast of the island. The gentle current and the excellent visibility allow beginners to walk easily between the coral pinnacles. On the way, you will discover colorful fish and maybe you will have the chance to see harmless nurse sharks and some eagle rays. Isla Cozumel is very easy to reach. Just take a ferry from the port of Playa del Carmen.

Dos Ojos Cenote

Dos Ojos is the most popular cave diving site in the Riviera Maya. It owes its name to the two neighboring cenotes that form two eyes peering into the underground world. To discover this site which extends across more than 80 km, you will have the choice between several diving itineraries. Don’t miss The Barbie Line, a 500 meters long circuit, very wide and bright, which allows divers to easily observe the impressive stalactites.

Isla Mujeres

Afuera and the whale sharks

According to specialists, Afuera has the largest concentration of whale sharks in the world. When you book your dive with a local agency, your eyes will certainly be drawn to a “money back guarantee”. This is the proof that you will be sure to see a whale shark! Isla Mujeres is located near Cancun. To get there, you’ll have to take a ferry from Puerto Juarez for a 20 minute trip. The Afuera dive site is located about 25 km offshore.

Where to dive in the Riviera Maya: Banco Chinchorro

The Great Barrier Reef

Located on the border with Belize, Banco Chinchorro is the second largest barrier reef in the world and the largest reef atoll in the northern hemisphere. This site, which covers an area of 800 km², is also home to numerous shipwrecks dating back to the 16th century. Strictly protected and difficult to access, it is reserved for experienced and persevering divers. To discover this site, you will need a special permit issued by the Mexican federal government.