6 curated Scuba Diving spots in Mexico, each with its own note and source.
Baja California · Best time: Year-round · All levels
The Islas Coronado sit about 13 kilometres off the peninsula: Lobster Shack runs from 3 to 21 metres, and the sea lion colony of 40 to 60 animals is usually met shallower than 5 metres. Visibility 9 to 21 metres, surface water 15 to 21 degrees — a 7 mm suit with hood. Peak season is October and November; surge and current demand clean buoyancy.
Sources: Scuba Diver Life
Quintana Roo · Best time: Year-round · All levels
Drift dives along the west coast: you ride the current for around 45 minutes, Palancar Gardens sits at 12 to 21 metres, Santa Rosa Wall at 15 to 27 metres and drops beyond that. Visibility is usually 25 to 30 metres, and the season runs November to May. The marine park fee is about 12 US dollars per diver per day; non-biodegradable sunscreen is banned.
Sources: Island Life Mexico
Quintana Roo · Best time: Dec–Apr · Beginner
Whale shark encounters are snorkel-only — scuba is prohibited under Mexican regulation NOM-029-SEMARNAT-2006, two swimmers plus a guide are allowed per animal, and touching or flash photography is not. The season runs mid-June to mid-September, peaking late July to mid-August; boats leave around 7 am for a one- to two-hour ride out.
Sources: Diving in Mexico
Quintana Roo · Best time: Jun–Sep · Beginner
The MUSA underwater museum sits at a maximum of 10 metres: over 470 sculptures, Open Water is enough, about 30 minutes by boat and 40 to 50 minutes of dive time in water of 25 to 29 degrees. Whale shark season runs mid-June to mid-September and is snorkel-only — scuba with the animals is prohibited.
Sources: Underwater Mexico, Diving in Mexico
Baja California Sur · Best time: Oct–Apr · All levels
Inside Cabo Pulmo National Park the reef bars El Bajo (9 to 18 metres) and El Cantil (6 to 15 metres) stay in Open Water range; the wreck El Vencedor at 15 to 21 metres is an advanced dive with bull sharks, no bait and no cage. Visibility 12 to 27 metres, peak season August to December. Diver numbers per day are capped, plus a park wristband of about 7 US dollars.
Sources: Divearoo
Quintana Roo · Best time: Year-round · All levels
Cavern dives stay in the daylight zone and no more than 60 metres from the exit — Open Water plus around 20 logged dives, always with a guide and your own primary light. Dos Ojos and Chac Mool reach 12 metres, Angelita and The Pit 30 metres. Water is 24 to 25 degrees year-round; going past the daylight zone requires a full cave certification.
Sources: Diving in Mexico