Scuba Diving in the Mayan Riviera
If you are looking for a great holiday in the Caribbean, few places can compete with Mexico and the long white sand beaches of the Mayan Riviera. The coast from Cancun to Chetumal, is truly a diver’s paradise.
Driving from Cancun to Chetumal, passing Mahajual and the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve, will delight even the most seasoned diver. With the Meso-American reef formation just five minutes away by boat, divers are guaranteed to see turtles, jacks, barracudas, green moray eels, sting rays, spotted eagle rays, nurse sharks, bull sharks and tarpons. When you have had enough with salt water, you can jump into the fresh water cenotes and discover cat fish, blind fish and other intriguing fresh water critters.
There are many dive shops in Cancun offering a wide range of diving options along with snorkeling trips. In the summer season you can snorkel off the coast of Isla Mujeres with whalesharks, mantas and maybe even some dolphins if you’re lucky. The most popular sites around Cancun include a C-58 minesweeper sunk in 1980 and Punta Negra – the beginning of the second largest reef in the world. Both are drift dives, like many of the sites between Isla Mujeres and the continent.
Once back on the highway, head for Puerto Morelos where you can enjoy another great wreck dive on another mine sweeper. At 25 to 30 meters, this is an exceptionally photogenic site and popular with both amateur and professional photographers.
All this diving will probably make you hungry, so stop for lunch in Playa del Carmen in one of the numerous ‘taquerias’, or taco shops. This is a good opportunity for a swim on the stunning reef of Punta Venado. It’s as deep as a wreck dive so remember your bottom time could be a little shorter, unless you are a certified Nitrox Diver. If you are not, this one of the many courses on offer here. Punta Venado is a pristine reef where big fish from the deep trench between Playa and Cozumel come to shallow waters for hunting and some basking in the sun!
If you fancy a bit of nightlife, a few drinks or just a quiet dinner, Playa del Carmen has something for everyone. Fifth avenue is the lively spot with its bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
An early ferry for Cozumel leaves around 8.30 or 9.00 and the trip takes forty five minutes. If you don’t have a reservation, don’t worry, there are plenty of dive shops on the island who will be more than happy to accommodate you. It is generally wiser to book to avoid disappointment though. Now, get ready to have your mind blown away by the beauty of the Cozumel’s reefs. Most of the dives here are wall dives – with a current – lots of current. Top sites include: Palancar Garden, a shallow reef strip with an array of life and spectacular drop offs; La Ceiba Drop Off and the Yucab Wall at 30 meters. This site is very popular for its overhangs stuffed full of lobsters and moray eels.
After spending a great day on the island, take a late ferry, jump in a cab and head down to Tulum, the cave diver’s paradise. It would be a good idea to book this trip in advance, as it can get very busy … very quickly. Here, you have lots of choices. If I were in your fins, I would head to the famous ruins near Tulum beach, followed by a reef dive. That way you will be ready to explore the Mayan underworld , otherwise known as the cenotes.
Tulum is one of the best places in the world to be trained in cavern or cave diving. There are some really top notch instructors here actively exploring the top underwater caves in the World.
You may find yourself becoming addicted to the Mayan Riviera. But there is plenty of time to come back again and continue exploring this fabulous region, rich in cultural history and endless scuba diving possibilities …
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