On the eastern edge of the Yucatán Peninsula, divers can find magical cenotes, pelagic encounters and beautiful reefs at Playa del Carmen in the Caribbean Sea.
Dive sites here feature beautiful caverns and healthy reef systems off sandy shores. Playa del Carmen is home to a variety of marine life from huge sharks to tiny macro critters. The major attraction in terms of wildlife are the female bull sharks that grace the area with their presence from November to March. There are also eagle rays, Loggerhead Turtles and Green Turtles to be found nearby.
Occasionally, sailfish and whale sharks might be spotted at sites further from shore. The healthy Playa del Carmen reefs also play host to a variety of tropical species.
There is no bad time to dive in Playa del Carmen. In fact, the water temperatures remain constant year-round and cool only slightly during the winter months.
On average, water temperatures vary between 77 and 82ºF (25 and 28ºC) in Playa del Carmen. From November until March, Bull Sharks are commonly found off the coast, and many other pelagic species are attracted to the area by the slightly cooler temperatures during the winter months.
June to September in particular is best for whale sharks near Isla Mujeres should you choose to take a day trip from Playa del Carmen. And from May to September, green and loggerhead turtles arrive to lay their eggs along the Riviera Maya.
Find local PADI dive shops and explore the top dive sites with our map.
The nearest airport to Playa del Carmen is Cancun International Airport. From Cancun, you should arrange a private transfer, taxi or rental car to the resort area. It is also possible to fly into Cozumel International Airport and take the ferry across to the mainland from there.
Once in Playa del Carmen, you can use taxis, rental cars or the power of foot to move from point A to point B.
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