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Mexico Scuba Diving

Frequently Asked Questions

The Pacific coast of Mexico is home to some of the most exhilarating diving experiences in the world, offering big animal encounters and dramatic underwater landscapes. Socorro, the Sea of Cortez, and Magdalena Bay all offer unique and unforgettable liveaboard diving adventures.

Socorro (Revillagigedo Archipelago) is famous for giant manta rays, hammerhead sharks, tiger sharks, and seasonal whale shark encounters. Strong currents and deep dives make this a destination best suited for experienced divers. Liveaboards in the Sea of Cortez offer encounters with playful sea lions, schooling mobula rays, whales, orcas, and diverse macro life, making it a fantastic destination for all levels of divers. Magdalena Bay is a seasonal hotspot for the annual Mexican Sardine Run. It is an ideal destination for adventurous divers and underwater photographers looking to witness the high-speed action of striped marlins hunting bait balls.

This page covers everything you need to know about liveaboard diving in Mexico, including the best times to visit, required diving experience levels, marine life highlights, and what to expect on each trip. Whether you're dreaming of diving with giant mantas, exploring biodiverse reefs, or witnessing thrilling predator-prey interactions, this guide will help you plan your ultimate liveaboard adventure in Mexico.


Questions and Answers

Diving FAQ

What is a liveaboard diving safari?

These are trips that provide cabin accommodations and onboard scuba activities. The boat is your home for the duration of the cruise. You eat, sleep and dive on/from the boat. Liveaboards usually remain at sea for the whole trip and return to port only at the end of the cruise. Therefore you can maximize your time at the best sites.

Cruises often open up first rate opportunities at Mexican dive destinations that are beyond the range of standard day trip boats.

How many dives can I make per day?

On liveaboard trips, you can expect between 21 and 25 dives on an average week-long trip in the Pacific. For Guadalupe, there is no diving but you can look forward to around 31 hours of cage time on a typical trip where there are 3 dive days. In the Caribbean, you can expect between 2-4 dives a day depending on which resort or daytrip operator package you booked.

What kind of food is served onboard?

Please review the 'Food' information for details of the food served on each of the Mexico boats. They can cater to most dietary requirements including vegetarian, but please do tell us your requirements at the time of booking.

Where can you pick me up from?

We can arrange transfers to your liveaboard boat from your hotel, or from the airport if you arrive just before your cruise departure. Please advise us of your preferred transfer point at least 2 weeks before you arrive and check the website for details of transfers relevant to your particular dive operator.

Is dive insurance included in the trip price?

The cruise price of any of our Mexico liveaboards does not include dive insurance, and some operators state that it is mandatory you have a travel insurance or dive insurance such as DAN.For further details please review the 'Safety' information for each boat. For your own peace of mind we recommend you take out personal dive insurance.

Do I need to share a cabin?

Except for 1 boat, the liveaboards in Mexico do not have a single occupant cabin type of accommodation and the only way to ensure that you have a cabin all to yourself would be to pay for 2 beds. There are big differences in the policies of the liveaboard boats - you can expect to pay a supplement of 25% to 100% of the published per-person price.

What kind of scuba tanks and valves are on the boat?

Most boats carry aluminum 12 liter (80 cu. ft.) tanks. However, 15 liters (100 cu. ft.) steel tanks and enriched air nitrox is available for rent on some boats. If you have a DIN regulator, you should bring an adapter.

Can a non diver go on a liveaboard?

You have to be fairly experienced to dive Mexico's Pacific coast, as you will be challenged not only by big underwater creatures but also the conditions of the water. Diving at Guadalupe however, is for both divers (surface and submerged cage experiences) and non-divers (surface cage experiences only).

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General FAQ

Which time of year has the best diving?

You can actually dive Mexico all year round, although different seasons apply to different locations within the country. Socorro is mostly dived between November and May. Guadalupe from August through October, and The Sea of Cortez from July through November. Diving in the Caribbean is year round with visibility good all year. For some, August through September is the best period. The Cenotes are also year round with the best light effects visible from May through September.

Which Mexican dive destinations are best for beginners?

Most of the Mexico dive sites in Playa del Carmen, Cancun and Cozumel are suitable for beginners. And if you are a bit of a "dare devil" cage diving with the sharks in Guadalupe does not require you to be an experienced diver.

Do I need to use a wetsuit?

You will probably need some form of wetsuit or exposure suit but the style and thickness very much depends on where you are going in Mexico. With temperatures in places like the Socorro Islands and Guadalupe ranging from 66 to 73°F (19-23°C), a 5 or 7 mm wetsuit is generally recommended. Hoods are also commonly used here. If you are scuba diving in the Sea of Cortez or the Caribbean, the temperature range is more like 75 to 86°F (24-30°C) so often a 3 mm wetsuit is adequate. The sensible thing to do is make sure you have enough gear and replacements to cover unforeseen events.

Can you arrange accommodation for me in Mexico

Our affiliated hotel reservation agents hotelscombined.com have accommodations in Cabo San Lucas (if diving Socorro and Sea of Cortez), and San Diego (if diving Guadalupe). Browse the resort and hotel choices on their website, use their live chat feature to ask your questions, and then simply use your bank card to make your reservation.

Save on your hotel - www.hotelscombined.com

From top-of-the range international beach resorts to budget guesthouses, there's something to suit everyone's taste and pocket. And you can be sure that whatever option you go for, it is backed by their 'Low Price Guarantee' so you always get good value for money.

What about passport and visa requirements?

To visit Mexico, you will need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay, and a return ticket.

Citizens of many European, and North, Central and South American countries do not need a visa to take a vacation here. There are more details in our tourist information section.

Is there malaria in Mexico?

Mexico is not a major malaria risk area, but there are mosquitoes, especially in the rural areas, and in the jungle in the south particularly during wet season. Long sleeves, trousers and socks and using a good repellent are recommended if you are visiting the jungle. For vaccinations and other health precautions, we recommend you consult your local doctor when planning your Mexican dive vacation.

Is it a very dangerous place to visit?

The most dangerous places, all of which are close to the US border, are Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa and Ciudad Juarez, and very far from where you would be diving. Of course nowhere is immune to trouble and Acapulco, a tourist destination, (also nowhere near where we recommend visiting) has had its share of bad press too.

The Mexican government makes considerable efforts to protect tourists, and major resort destinations such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Cabo San Lucas.

ATMs are best avoided unless inside a bank. It's safest to always carry some cash on you for times when you won't be able to use a credit card, and you should exchange your currency before you go.

You don't want draw too much attention to yourself, so unless you are vacationing at the beach or hanging out at a resort, wear pants and sensible shoes. Cameras, jewelry, watches and phones should be used with a degree of subtlety.

How do I get to my island resort?

For Cozumel there are direct flights from US, Canadian and central American cities. If you are already on the mainland, you can take the 45 minute ferry from Playa del Carmen. Tickets at about US$ 13 can be purchased at the ferry pier.

Why don't you sell land based diving on the Pacific Coast or liveaboards in the Caribbean Sea?

We want to sell what represents the best of each location. The Pacific Coast is all about the incredible encounters with large marine creatures and these tend to be more frequent and more awesome on dive sites that are only accessed by liveaboards. We figure if you want land-based diving in Mexico then the Caribbean Sea is the best place for it all things considered: beaches, island charm, scuba diving, general tourist activities, atmosphere...

Also, there are no Mexico liveaboards in the Caribbean since the dive sites are close to the shore. If you want Caribbean liveaboards then you can use our liveaboard search to find departures in Turks & Caicos, Cuba, Saba & St. Kitts, Cayman Islands and the Bahamas.

Where can I dive with sharks or manta rays in Mexico?

If you want to have encounters with these creatures and more then you should look to Pacific coast liveaboards that operate itineraries to places like Socorro (sharks and mantas), Guadalupe Island (great white shark cage diving) and the Sea of Cortez (sharks, seals, dolphins and whales).
 
Click to view product. Special discounted trips highlighted in yellow
Nautilus Belle Amie Nautilus Belle Amie
From USD 314 per day

Customer rating: Very good!

41m / 135 ft
Max 32
Nitrox
Wi-Fi
  • Visits Socorro islands, Guadalup...
  • All cabins with private bathroom...
  • Nautilus lifeline lost diver dev...
  • Rebreather diving available
  • Free trip video and photos
  • SOLAS safety standards
  • Large boat with steel hull
Nautilus Explorer Nautilus Explorer
From USD 326 per day

Customer rating: Good

35m / 116 ft
Max 27
Nitrox
Wi-Fi
  • Visits Socorro Islands, Guadalup...
  • All cabins with private bathroom...
  • Camera: table, rinse tank, compu...
  • Nautilus lost diver devices
  • Sun deck with hot tub
  • Large boat with steel hull
Quino El Guardian Quino El Guardian
From USD 360 per day

Customer rating: Good

27m / 89 ft
Max 16
Nitrox
  • Visits Socorro Islands, Sea of C...
  • Good value for money Mexico live...
  • Trips from 7 to 12 nights
  • Complimentary beer and wine
  • 12 and 15 liter tanks available
Solmar V Solmar V
From USD 273 per day

Customer rating: Good

34m / 112 ft
Max 22
Nitrox
  • Visits Socorro Islands, Guadalup...
  • All cabins with private bathroom...
  • Camera: table, rinse tank, charg...
  • Nautilus Lifeline GPS devices
  • Free beer and wine
  • Large boat with steel hull
Valentina Valentina
From USD 399 per day

Customer rating: Good

38m / 125 ft
Max 20
Nitrox
Wi-Fi
  • Visits Socorro islands and Sea o...
  • Cabins with private bathrooms
  • Complimentary beer and wine
  • Large, steel hulled boat
MV Southern Sport MV Southern Sport
From USD 286 per day

Customer rating: Average

35m / 116 ft
Max 18
Nitrox
Wi-Fi
  • Visits Socorro Islands, Guadalup...
  • Cabins with private bathrooms
  • Re-compression chamber onboard
  • Complimentary soft drinks, beer ...
  • Large boat with aluminum hull
Nautilus Explorer Nautilus Explorer
From USD 249 per day

Customer rating: Be first to rate!

35m / 116 ft
Max 27
Nitrox
Wi-Fi
  • Visits Cocos Island and Costa Ri...
  • All cabins with private bathroom...
  • Nautilus lost diver devices
  • Sun deck with hot tub
  • Free trip video and photos
  • Large boat with steel hull
Nautilus Gallant Lady Nautilus Gallant Lady
From USD 321 per day

Customer rating: Be first to rate!

35m / 116 ft
Max 12
Nitrox
Wi-Fi
  • Short Sea of Cortez trips
  • Air fills, nitrox, rebreather fr...
  • All cabins with private bathroom...
  • Nautilus lifeline lost diver dev...
  • Sun deck with hot tub
  • Large boat
Nautilus Under Sea Nautilus Under Sea
From USD 314 per day

Customer rating: Be first to rate!

32m / 106 ft
Max 18
Nitrox
Wi-Fi
  • Visits Socorro islands, Guadalup...
  • All cabins with private bathroom...
  • Nautilus lifeline lost diver dev...
  • Free trip video and photos
  • SOLAS safety standards
  • Large boat with steel hull
Rocio Del Mar Rocio Del Mar
From USD 387 per day

Customer rating: Be first to rate!

34m / 112 ft
Max 20
Nitrox
  • Visits Socorro Islands, Sea of C...
  • All cabins with private bathroom...
  • Kayaks, 12 & 17 liter tanks
  • Dive deck with hot water showers...
  • Steel-hulled boat
 



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UK

I found Dive The World through the website which is excellent. Efficiency and response to emails. All travel arrangements, transfers etc were seamless. Yes I would use Dive The World again and would recommend them to friends


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