As a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987, the Sian Ka’an Reserve represents a heavily protected and studied piece of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
Hundreds of crystal clear cenotes (caves) can be found throughout Mexico. Cenote Dos Ojos near Tulum is the most famous and is easily accessible to most divers.
Green, Hawksbill and Loggerhead Turtles arrive to Akumal during the summer months every year in order to lay eggs on the protected, white sand beaches.
To the north of Akumal lies the reef of Xaak, home to rays, nurse sharks and turtles. This makes an excellent excursion with a stop in Yal Ku Lagoon.
From November to March, large bull shark females arrive in Playa del Carmen in order to breed. Get up close and personal with these amazing sharks.
There is no bad time to dive the Caribbean. In fact, the water temperatures remain constant year-round and cool only slightly during the winter months, meaning it’s possible to dive approximately 300 days each year.
December to April is considered the best time to visit Mexico and therefore is the most popular time to dive in the Caribbean. Because the winter months constitute high season, you should make sure to book as early as possible in order to secure the best rate.
On average, water temperatures vary between 78 and 82ºF (25 and 28ºC) in Tulum. The cooler waters found in the winter months tend to attract more pelagic animals than other months. So this is the best time to dive Tulum if you enjoy large animal encounters.
The best time for cenote diving is between May and September. This is because the summer months feature the best visibility in both the cenotes and the sea. These months also bring the best light to the caves and result in the better photographs.
Also note that diving in the Caribbean is possible year-round. Simply keep an eye on the forecast during the summer and early fall. These seasons do see the occasional hurricane. When there isn’t a hurricane, the weather during the summer is hot and humid with the occasional rain shower.
From May to September, green and loggerhead turtles arrive to lay their eggs on the Riviera Maya beaches.
As an added bonus, the summer months are low season throughout Mexico. At this time, you’ll find the best deals on diving and accommodation. If you enjoy uncrowded, Caribbean dive sites, travel to Mexico between May and September.
Tulum is home to a huge diversity of wildlife, part of the reason for its UNESCO World Heritage designation. Tiny macro critters delight photographers, and in the healthy reef ecosystem, vigilant divers can see lobsters, crabs, groupers, angelfish, eels, stingrays, sergeant majors and hundreds of other tropical fish species. Loggerhead Turtles, Green Turtles, Hawksbill Turtles and eagle rays may also be seen floating along the reef’s edge. Occasionally, lucky divers may spot a manatee, sailfish and even whale sharks further from shore.
Just north of Tulum, Playa del Carmen hosts bull sharks from November to March, and many dive operators will run one or two-day trips to Isla Mujeres for whale shark snorkeling from June to September.
For better readability of the table, pass into the landscape mode.
