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Diving
The Mexican Caribbean is a place like few others in the world for diving. In addition to our incomparable turquoise blue ocean, we have other incredible natural settings where this exciting activity can be carried out, such as cenotes, caverns, caves, and underground rivers; plus you can choose to do it during the day or at night for an extra thrill.
Under the sea
The Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world, extends over 60 miles across four countries, with Quintana Roo being the only Mexican state the reef crosses.
Thanks to the mild water temperatures and the unbelievable visibility of the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, visitors can dive in the region year-round.
When Jacques Cousteau first visited Cozumel In 1962, it didn't take long for the island to be declared one of the top five diving spots in the world.
Here, divers of all skill levels can explore mysterious shipwrecks, intriguing tunnels, fascinating limestone caves, and colorful reefs which are home to countless marine species including parrot fish, cat sharks, nurse sharks, sea turtles, rays, and a wide variety of tropical fish.
Just 35 minutes from Cancun, Puerto Morelos is one of the most popular places among diving enthusiasts. There, divers can enjoy visiting the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, which is one of the six national parks of the Mexican Caribbean. In some areas of the reef, the depth reaches about 6 feet, allowing divers to observe the abundant marine flora and fauna without issue.
South of Quintana Roo you will find Mahahual , a picturesque fishing village that is home to the Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve, the largest coral atoll in all of Mexico. The protected natural area is the habitat of a great diversity of marine species, including manatees, tarpon fish, and crocodiles, with which you can interact closely on tours and other guided experiences.
In addition to natural gems, the seabed of Banco Chinchorro has more than 60 sunken ships dating from the 16th to the 20th century which you can visit.
Say Goodbye to Salt!
The soil of Quintana Roo is made of limestone, (very porous and soft) which allowed rainwater to seep into the region’s caves and over time caused them to collapse. This gave way to the creation of the Sac Actun System, the largest underground river system in the world, which connects all the cenotes in the region through various underwater cave passageways.
Throughout the Mexican Caribbean, you will find more than 2,500 cenotes and 407 flooded caves. Most of these are located in the region known as the Grand Costa Maya and in the Riviera Maya.
Diving in these cenotes, caverns, and underground river systems is a unique and special experience. Found in very few places around the world, the formations that can be seen underwater are incredible.
Some of the most popular cenotes for diving are Cenote Angelita, Chac Mool, Tajma Ha, the Dos Ojos system, and Cenote Zapote, a site that hides in its depths some curious mineral formations known as "Bells of the Underworld," a type of speleothem that has not been observed anywhere else in the world.
These impressive underwater settings are complex places to dive. For your safety, you will need to hire a diving school tour, be accompanied at all times by an experienced guide with "full cave" certification (indispensable when diving in caves), and have the necessary equipment to carry out this type of dive.