Mexico Resorts

Where’s the best resort-based diving in Mexico?

The majority of Mexico’s resort-based diving options lay along her easternmost shore, where the beautiful Yucatán Peninsula reaches out into the azure blue waters of the Caribbean Sea.

The coastline south of Cancun from Playa del Carmen down to Tulum tempts divers with an intoxicating mix of colourful reef dives and Cenotes. These incredible flooded limestone sinkholes dot the landscape and make for a truly unique dive experience; the highlight of many divers’ holiday.

Around ten miles offshore, the charming island of Cozumel is something of a divers’ paradise. Visibility can be spectacular while divers will marvel at the stunning corals, walls and slopes that make up the island’s dive sites. Known for outstanding drift diving that those with a little experience will enjoy, professional dive centres do also cater for beginners.

Well-appointed hotels offer a range of excellent accommodation options in both locations, with a choice of pools and restaurants on offer, and all-inclusive options available. Divers looking for an extended stay can combine the mainland with a stay on Cozumel, while tailor-made extensions to see more of the incredible Yucatán Peninsula can also be arranged.

What to see when

Mexico is blessed with excellent marine life throughout the year. Turtle, eagle ray and reef shark regularly seen on dives throughout this region.

Those hoping to make a day trip to Isla Mujeres to catch a whale shark should time their visit between June and September, when these gentle giants gather around the waters north of Cancun to feed. July and August tend to see the largest numbers of whale sharks, but are also the most popular months to visit.

Adrenaline junkies looking to encounter bull shark should visit between December and March, when the cooler temperatures attract these apex predators. Safe and educational diving trips are offered during these months to divers with at least 25 logged dives.