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Diving in Cancún

Explore diving in Cancún

Diving in Cancun means gliding over reef systems, through shark-filled tunnels and exploring superb wrecks. MUSA - the biggest underwater museum in the world - has 400 life-sized sculptures forming a special man-made reef. Life is flourishing in and around the statues with rays, turtles, moray eels and barracuda calling the museum their home.

Dolphins patrol deeper waters, while colorful fish hang out by the reefs. Lobsters are spotted near overhangs and eagle rays glide through the shallows. Dive through the tunnels to see nurse sharks sleeping in the dark.

Diving in Cancun is diverse - there's something for everyone. Shark action keeps pulses racing, photographers take stunning images at MUSA, and tec divers love honing their cavern diving skills in deep cenotes.

When to dive in Cancún

Diving in Cancun is possible all year. For uncrowded dive sites and whale shark encounters at Isla Mujeres, book your trip between May-November.

Water temperatures remain constant (78-82°F/25-28°C) and cool slightly during the winter months, meaning it’s possible to dive approximately 300 days each year. You shouldn’t need more than a 3mm wetsuit for diving in Cancun, no matter what time of year.

The high season for diving is November-April when the weather is dry, but if you enjoy uncrowded Caribbean dive sites travel to Mexico between May and September.

The best time for cenote diving is May-September when the best light streams into the caves. Cenotes and caverns have 82°F/28°C water all year, and visibility is a whopping 120m - that's further than the eye can see.

Book your diving in Cancún

More Information

Cancun is located on the Northeast Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Southeast Mexico. The resort city sits on the Caribbean Sea just north of the Riviera Maya.

The most convenient route for diving in Cancun is to fly into Cancun International Airport. There are many direct flights to Cancun Airport: Europe (London, France and Germany) to Cancun takes on average 12h. Direct flights from Canada (Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal) take 3-5h. From the US to Cancun takes anywhere from 2h to 5h depending on the city.

Alternatively you can fly into Mexico City and connect to Cancun in 2h. Cancun Airport is located 20km from the city's hotel zone - a 25m journey bus or taxi journey.

Getting around Cancun is easy on foot and taxis are plentiful. The Playa Express bus offers shuttle services every 30 minutes along the coast as far as Tulum, stopping at big towns and points of interest along the way. Ferries depart daily from Cancun to Isla Mujeres - the scenic journey takes just 15m.

Time Zone
UTC-05:00
Phone
+52
Currency
MXN
Voltage
127 V
Pressure
Pounds/square inch (psi)
Plug
A, B
Languages
English, Spanish; Castilian
1st Stage
INT / Yoke / K
International airports
Cancun Intl (CUN)
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