Buceo en la Riviera Maya
Buceo en la Riviera Maya

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Diving in Cozumel

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With the second longest reef in the world bordering its coastline, the Riviera Maya is an underwater paradise and the ideal place for diving.

There are facilities, instructors and equipment rental in: Playa del Carmen, Xcaret, Paamul, Puerto Aventuras, Xpu-Há, Kantenah, Chemuyil, Xcacel and Akumal, the latter is known as a divers' paradise. The coastal waters of the Riviera Maya offer a large number of experiences.

Shark diving has had significant growth worldwide, and Playa del Carmen has become the number one place. In winter you can dive with the Bull Shark.

TOP DIVE SITES IN RIVIERA MAYA :

Cerebros (Brains)

Its name comes from the abundance of brain coral formations with a depth of 12 m (35 ft). There is almost no current and visibility ranges from 15-20 m (40-70 ft). It is home to many lobsters, crabs, moray eels, and scorpion fish.

Los Arcos (The Arches)

It is the deepest dive in Playa del Carmen, it goes from 24 to 33 m (75-110 ft). The site has two beautiful arches. Its average visibility is around 30 m (100 ft). Due to the depth and currents it is considered an advanced dive.

Pared Verde (Green Wall)

An amazing wall, decorated with beautiful corals. The depth ranges from 24 to 30 m (75-100 ft). The current is moderate and the average visibility is 30 m (100 ft). Towards the end of the reef is the chimney, an opening in the coral through which you can climb to begin the ascent. It is easy to see turtles, manta rays, barracudas and large moray eels.

 

Diving in the Riviera Maya

Moc-Che

It is a low reef that slopes gently down to the sand with numerous coral formations. The depth ranges from 8 to 14 m (25-40 ft). Currents range from light to moderate with an average visibility of 20 m (70 ft). The highlight of the dive is a beautiful coral covered arch, home to a huge green moray eel.

Moc-che Profundo (Deep Moc-che)

This reef is a coral wall with a sand bottom at 30 m (100 ft). Average visibility is 30 m (100 ft) with a moderate current. During the winter season the reef is frequented by bull sharks.

Gardens

Its name is due to the corals that decorate this reef. The depth ranges from 6 to 12 m (20-35 ft) and the average visibility is 20 m (70 ft). It is ideal for beginners as well as experienced divers who want to enjoy a relaxed and long dive.

Chunzumbul

It is a garden-like reef with a depth ranging from 6 to 12 m (20-35 ft). There are almost no currents and the average visibility is 20 m (70 ft). It has a varied marine life such as: crabs, pipefish, soles and schools of snappers. It is a good place for beginners.

 

Sábalos (Tarpon)

A shallow reef ranging from 6 to 14 m (20-50 ft), with strong currents and an average visibility of 20 m (70 ft). A mix of large coral gardens and sandy terrain, home to large schools of snapper, swordfish and tarpon.

Barracuda

Small caves with a medium current that host a wide variety of marine life, such as rays, moray eels, barracudas, turtles and occasionally eagle rays. Its depth ranges from 6 to 14 m (20-50 ft) and the average visibility is 20 m (70 ft).

Tortuga (Turtle)

With a depth ranging from 18 to 40 m (60-120 ft) and an average visibility of 30 m (100 ft). You can usually see 3-10 turtles during the dive, plus some hammerhead sharks, bull sharks, eagle rays and even if you're lucky you might spot a whale shark.

Mama Viña

The coral-covered fishing boat is found at a depth of 28 m (90 ft). It is recommended for experienced divers due to strong currents, depth, rapid descent, and negative entry. The scenery is spectacular, and with an average visibility of 30 m (100 ft.), this is an ideal spot for underwater photography.

 

Islote (Islet)

With visibility ranging from 100-130 ft (30-40 m) and gentle currents, it is one of the best places for underwater photography. The depth ranges from 20 to 33 m (70-110 ft). The reef is home to lobsters, turtles, huge king crabs, nurse sharks and large rays. In summer you can easily see sailfish and marlin.

Punta Venado (Deer Point)

It has a maximum depth of 20 m (70 ft), its currents are slight and its visibility ranges from 27 to 30 m (80-100 ft), making it good for beginner divers. It is home to large moray eels, lobsters, nurse sharks, and turtles.

Cañones (Cannons)

It is a dive between 15 and 30 m (49-100 ft), characterized by a bottom with large coral formations and rich marine life.

Meros (Groupers)

With a depth of 15-25 m (49-82 ft), it is the place to see schools of grouper, hence the name of the reef, as well as large schools of trevally.

Cuevitas (Caves)

With a depth of 15 m (49 ft), it is a place full of passages and arches formed by corals. It is an excellent place for beginners and it is easy to see turtles and large barracudas.

Escuelitas (Schools)

It consists of two large patches of coral with a great wealth of marine life. It is a dive of no more than 10 m (35 ft) with good visibility. It is another excellent option for beginners.

El Dorado (The Golden)

Deep canyons with a depth where you can dive up to 38 m (124 ft), with a great variety of corals and sponges. In this reef it is easy to see nurse sharks, moray eels, barracudas and rays.

Cuernos de Alce (Elk Horns)

It has unique formations resembling elkhorns inhabited by a large number of fish, with a depth of no more than 25 m (75 ft).

Sirenis

Deep diving is possible to about 58 m (190 ft). During the winter the current tends to be strong and you will be able to observe hammerhead sharks. If you dive between 28 and 34 m (91-111 ft) you will be able to see large schools of barracudas and huge turtles.

Bublemaker

It is an ideal place for children, from the age of eight children can enjoy a dive to a maximum of 2 m (6 ft) under the supervision of an instructor surrounded by colorful fish in an incredible reef.

DIVING IN CENOTES IN THE RIVIERA MAYA :

The underground river system of the Riviera Maya boasts of being the best cavern and cave diving in the world. There are more than 100 cenotes in the region, 52 of which have been deemed good for diving and snorkeling.

The conditions to explore these underwater worlds are ideal, super crystalline fresh water, with an average temperature of 24ºC (75ºF), no current, great visibility and wonderful rock formations. Dives are generally between 8 and 12 m (25 and 40 ft), although there are deeper cenotes that are recommended for advanced divers like Angelita and Pit.

Among the best options we can mention Dos Ojos, the Tajmahal that leads to another cenote called Sugar Ball with spectacular inlets of light, Ponderosa, Chikin Ha, Dream Gate, Casacenote, Calavera and Car Wash, among others.

3 MUST VISIT DESTINATIONS IN THE MEXICAN CARIBBEAN

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