SCUBA DIVING

Cancun is one of the best places in Mexico to scuba dive and snorkel. Its favorable location on the Yucatan Peninsula, which offers crystalline waters and abundant marine life, makes it a paradise for water sports enthusiasts.

Under its turquoise-blue waters, you’ll find hundreds of multicolored fish, sponges, crustaceans, anemone, tunicates, mollusks, and incredible reefs inhabited by various coral species. When diving in this area, you should be careful not to harm the reefs since a damaged formation can take more than 500 years to recover. Here are the best places to dive:

Isla Contoy. Located northeast of Cancun, it is a nearly uninhabited island. The only way to arrive there is by taking a tour boat from Cancun. It is the most important bird reserve in the Mexican Caribbean, with more than 115 aquatic, migratory and indigenous species. Sandy dunes and bushes predominate the landscape. It also has various shallow lagoons, which attract many of the animal species. Near Contoy Island there are several coral reefs that provide ideal scuba diving conditions. What’s more, water visibility is excellent because the reefs are in shallow waters (about 3 to 5 meters). While you’re there, don’t forget to do a snorkeling tour at Parque Nacional Islache, one of the region’s many ecological reserves.

Isla Holbox. Located 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of the Yucatan Peninsula. Separated from the mainland by the Yalahan Lagoon, Holbox Island is far enough removed from civilization to allow you to forget about everything and enjoy some quiet relaxation. To arrive there from Cancun, take Route 180 west to Km 150 and then head north about 100 kilometers (62 miles) to the town of Chiquila. There you’ll have to cross Yalahan Lagoon in a boat to arrive at the island. The inhabitants are fishermen and they can guide you around the island.  This island is ideal for scuba diving. Under the warm and clear waters, you can spot a wide variety of marine species. As a safety precaution, it is recommendable to dive with an experienced diver and a local guide.

Puerto Morelos. Located 36 kilometers (22 miles) south of Cancun off Route 307. Has calm waters, which are ideal for water sports, and reefs nearby that are certain to please scuba divers. Near the port, you’ll find a charming botanical garden and a crocodile farm. Because of its deep and clear waters, Puerto Morelos is the ideal place to snorkel, even for beginners.

Parque Nizuc. Located at Punta Nizuc in Cancun’s hotel zone, this is the perfect place to snorkel and scuba dive at depths of six to nine meters (20 to 30 feet). There you can have the exhilarating experience of diving with manta rays and sharks.

Xcaret. Located 72 kilometers (44 miles) from Cancun off the Cancun-Tulum Highway An important ecological park where you can explore underground rivers and discover peculiar rock formations in crystalline waters.

Xel-Ha. Located 115 kilometers (72 miles) south of Cancun off the Cancún-Tulum Highway.The turquoise waters of the lagoon comes from the jungle’s calm rivers. You can find interconnected underground rivers that run through an ancient canal system. The underwater sights are as impressive as the scenery on the surface.

Akumal. Located 105 kilometers (65 miles) south of Cancun off Route 307. A quiet place where different marine turtle species arrive to lay their eggs. More than 200 underground caves and caverns have been discovered at this place, some of them 150 meters (nearly 500 feet) below the surface. The rock formations and the water’s diverse tones make it an ideal spot to dive.

Tres Palos. Located in the Mayan Riviera at Km 54 on the Cancun-Tulum Highway near Playa del Carmen. With the world’s second largest reef off its coast, it is considered one of the best areas to scuba dive. The reef system spans 150 hectares (370 acres) and it has a diverse natural habitat, with more than 110 animal species. In these waters, you can see such colorful species as the bonito and the barracuda. Because the reef serves as a barrier, Tres Palos has a magnificent bay with gentle waves.

Tres Rios Ecopark. Located on the Mayan Riviera at Km 54 on the Cancun-Tulum Highway. Eight surface-level sinkholes have been discovered there and their running springs form rivers that flow into the sea.  Offers some of the best scuba diving and snorkeling thanks to its proximity to the second largest reef in the world.

Parque Natural Garrafon. Located in the southern region of Isla Mujeres, 14 kilometers (9 miles) from the Cancun coast. The park is a natural paradise where you can do water sports, sunbathe, or relax under a palm tree as you forget about the stress and hustle of the big city. Open daily to the public year-round. This aquatic park has excellent reef areas for snorkeling, allowing you to admire the multicolored fish.

El Farito. This is a reef zone located near a small lighthouse, which is close to the main pier of Isla Mujeres. About 14 kilometers (8.6 miles) from Cancun, this is an ideal place to practice the sport of free diving.

Arrecife Manchones. Located near the main pier of Isla Mujeres, 14 kilometers (8.6 miles) from Cancun, this is an excellent place to scuba dive and snorkel along the coral reef.

Cruz Submarina. Located near the main pier of Isla Mujeres, 14 kilometers (8.6 miles) from Cancun, this place is a new option for those divers who do not want to contribute to the reef’s constant deterioration.