...Highlights: whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, great white sharks, shark action, dolphins, whales, manta rays, schooling fish & big pelagics, non diving activities...
...Diving environment: walls, drift dives, cage diving, advanced divers, off the beaten track...
Long considered a fascinating tourist haven, in recent years Mexico has become increasingly recognized as a world-class dive destination. When you consider the breathtaking waters of the Pacific coast and the delightful beaches, islands and bays of the Caribbean Sea, one can only wonder at the underwater riches that lie beneath.
Mexico offers all manner of scuba diving, from entry-level dives off sandy beaches, the awe-inspiring caves of the Cenotes, to great white shark and whale encounters in the Pacific. This popular vacation country really does have an embarrassment of riches.
With the USA to the north and Guatemala and Belize to the southeast, Mexico spans a huge area with many diverse land and seascapes. South of the U.S. state of California, stretches the long finger of Baja California from where scuba divers can access the Sea of Cortez and the Socorro Islands. It is this part of Mexico where you will find all the liveaboard dive operators. The east coast is lapped by the azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, where the Yucatan Peninsula and islands such as Cozumel and Isla Mujeres create a celebratory holiday atmosphere, both above and below the surface. Here the diving is resort-based.
Mexico is also a country rich in history and culture and you can immerse yourself in the historical world of the great Mayan culture by visiting Mayan ruins and visiting some of the wonderful museum displays from this era. Trekking, kayaking and beach bar-hopping are among the other popular pursuits among visitors to this exceptional destination.
The choice is clear: If you are interested in the exciting open ocean dives then a liveaboard cruise in the Pacific is the choice for you. For land-based diving and those with an eye on other tourist activities, look to the Caribbean Sea.
So where do you want to go? Read more on these top Mexican dive spots:
Choosing where to dive here is like coming to a fork in the road. One sign is for people for whom diving is the sole focus. If you want to go on a Mexico liveaboard safari and experience awe-inspiring encounters with mega-fauna and "dive, eat, sleep" then turn right and head to the Pacific Coast. For more information on the cruise options and all the travel information you might need to visit, see our Mexican liveaboard section.
It is fair to say that the Pacific Coast tends to attract more experienced scuba divers for whom the open sea, currents and choppy conditions, cooler water and rocky outcrops, are all part of the fun. Liveaboard spaces are limited so we recommend you book many months in advance of your travel dates to avoid disappointment: Guadalupe, Sea of Cortez, Socorro.
If you are a less devoted diver and other activities are also important to you, then the other sign might be meant for you. Turn left for the Mexican Caribbean where there is an incredible diversity of dive sites, great visibility and lot of Caribbean island charm. The diving is awesome here too, but a different kind of awesome. Expect dive resorts, crystal clear water, colorful reefs, steep wall, caves and caverns. Outdoor activities abound here too, including historical sites and some lively apres-dive beach bars.
If you feel like you want to turn both left and right, then simply extend your vacation and make Mexico the diving trip of a lifetime!
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Mexico is a year round vacation destination although different seasons apply to different locations within the country. For more details on the climate, visit the Wikipedia website.
Socorro's peak time is mostly between November and May when calm seas determine the liveaboard season. Socorro water temperatures range from 82°F (28°C) in November, to as low as 69°F (21°C) in February, and then back to 77°F (25°C) by May. Whale sharks are most commonly sighted in the first month or two of the season. The winter months bring over a thousand humpback whales to the area to breed and calve. Manta rays can be seen all year round. Visibility variation is less seasonal and more associated with plankton blooms which occur frequently, especially around full moon, and bring in the big fish.
The Guadalupe dive season is from August through October and colder temperatures of 66 to 72°F (19-22°C) are to be expected. The Sea of Cortez liveaboard season runs from August through November which is the warmest period. Conditions can vary a great deal here throughout the year, but during liveaboard season the water temperatures hover around the 81°F (27°C) mark. September and October are the best times for sighting hammerhead sharks in the Sea of Cortez. The Mexican Sardine Run is most likely to occur in October and November at Magdalena Bay, and the best time to see gray whales there is January to April.
The air and water temperatures of the Caribbean Sea make this region of Mexico a "year round" diving destination. Visibility, always good in Cozumel and the Yucatan Peninsula, is at its best in August or September. Temperatures of 77 to 84°F (25-29°C) and underwater encounters are also consistent throughout the year. December through March is considered peak season for scuba diving. The Cenotes are also year round with the best light effects visible from May through September.
Review our map below of Mexico and its location in the world. Here, you will find information on how to get to Mexico.
16 - >130ft (5 - >40m)
82 - 197ft (25 - 60m)
Can be strong in the Pacific, usually mild in the Caribbean
Mostly calm but can be choppy further from shore
66 - 84°F (19 - 29°C)
Intermediate - advanced (Pacific), beginner - advanced (Caribbean)
>120
2 - 3 weeks
The booking with Dive The World have been OK in general, and surely I will repeat with you for future trips. I have recommended you to my diver friends (almost every one of them)
Mexico liveaboards