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From bottomless cenotes to protected reefs, Mexico has some of the top places to dive in the world. And if you time it right, the waters around Mexico present some of the best wildlife viewing anywhere.
Mexico Has It All
Rich in marine species offshore, internally, deposits of limestone have sculpted parts of Mexico into vast subterranean networks. That internal potential, coupled with heaps of biodiversity, makes Mexico one of the top dive destinations on the planet—for good reason.
This diversity and easy access also makes Mexico a top region to train. The cenotes alone are a global draw for mastering tech fundamentals. And to top it all off, the country enjoys stunning architecture, a friendly culture and absolutely delicious food and drink ???? ???? !
With so much awesome to choose from, what part of Mexico is right for you? By no means exhaustive, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite spots to get you started.
5 Best Places to Dive in Mexico
1.) Socorro Island
Technically a group of four islands, hard-to-reach Socorro Island tops our list because it’s among the best places in Mexico (or the world?) to dive with pelagics. Schools of hammerheads, manta rays and dolphins all frolic in Socorro’s waters. It’s also one of the only spots on Earth where you can swim with humpback whales.
Don’t expect to see a crowd. Socorro Island is 240 miles off the Baja Peninsula and the only way to dive the area is on a liveaboard. That lack of traffic benefits the island’s marine biodiversity and fish populations. Truly a superlative trip, come November to May to experience Socorro at its best.
2.) Banco Chinchorro
Banco Chinchorro is the largest coral atoll in the Northern Hemisphere and, as such, makes for spectacular diving and snorkeling. Approachable drift diving and a 17th-century galleon with visible cannons still among the wreckage top the bill.
The whole area is a protected Biosphere Reserve and is largely undeveloped. Speed boats from Costa Maya, Majahual and Xcalak can all get you to the biosphere, but allow 30-60 minutes each way for transit. Diving at Banco Chinchorro is good year round, with optimal weather coming December through April.
3.) Quintana Roo
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is host to over 6,000 cenotes. As mentioned above, Quintana Roo’s cenotes are incredibly stable and make for superlative training grounds for cavern diving and technical dive training. PADI offers an excellent Cavern Diving course in this area, but many courses are advanced and require prior training. So get some time in the classroom before traveling!
For the best weather, come December to April. For the best cenote diving, come between May and September, when the cenotes receive the best light and are optimal for photography.
4) Cabo San Lucas
Cabo’s incredible biodiversity and its annual whale-shark migrations earn it a spot on the list. From October to March, the gentle beasts—many averaging 25 feet in length—are known to gather for feeding in La Paz Bay just north of Cabo. Book a tour in season and bring a lunch—the boat ride to the Bay of La Paz will take a bit.
5.) Isla Mujeres
While technically not a dive destination, Isla Mujeres offers snorkelers the opportunity to swim with whale sharks in their native habitat. The season for whale sharks runs July through mid-September, but the best months are normally July and August. The narrow island also has many lovely beaches and tons of great diving just offshore.
Editor’s Note: We know many of you are dreaming of travel, because we are too! Just remember: safety is paramount—travelling during the Covid-19 pandemic comes with inherent dangers. If you can, avoid travel altogether, and dive local. If you’re in Mexico, travel with caution, social distance and get some laps in for the rest of us ????
