Resort Diving

Updated April 21, 2022

This is the one hundred and twenty-ninth in a series of reviews of the best dive resort locations around the world.  In this post, the focus is on La Pas, Mexico. In addition to this series on dive resort locations, the best worldwide liveaboard diving locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.

Have you been diving in La Paz before?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

Scuba Diving La Paz Mexico

Background

La Paz is the capital of the state of Baja California Sur, Mexico located in a bay toward the southern end of the peninsula on the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California).  Combined with several adjoining towns, the greater municipality has a population of 290,000.

A commercial center, the drivers of the economy are newly developed ecotourism, and traditional silver mining, agriculture, fishing, and pearls.

La Paz is featured in John Steinbeck’s novel, The Pearl, written in 1946, and his 1951 travelogue, The Log From the Sea of Cortez.

Growing quickly since the year 2000, tourism and business with the United States are important and gaining traction due to a relatively high standard of living and security, along with the attractive geography and relatively mild desert climate.

For a more detailed discussion of culture, history, and demographics, please go to Wikipedia – La Paz.

Undersea World

With its rocky islets, seamounts, and caves, the claim to fame for La Paz is the easy access to megafauna.  20 years ago massive shoals of hammerheads came for birthing in the bay.  Unfortunately, this was too inviting to local fishermen, and numbers have diminished so that the occasional sighting is all that is left near El Bajo and Los Animas.  As shameful as that is, there is still a lot to see.

From September through November whale sharks come to the bay in numbers and in winter huge schools of Mobula rays spend some time along with grey and humpback whales.  There is probably no greater congregation in the Sea of Cortez of sea lions than at Los Islotes.  Whale sharks come to the bay from September through November to partake of the plankton bloom.

In addition, there are attractive macro critters like lobster, nudibranchs, clams, snails, and shrimp along with eels, jawfish, big schools of jacks, and smaller numbers of tuna and other pelagics chasing after huge bait balls.  There are also some interesting wrecks, a protected National Marine Park, and bottle-nosed dolphins.

For my reviews of the diving in several other great Baja destinations and the Socorro Islands, please check these articles:

• Socorro Islands Scuba Diving Liveaboards
• Scuba Diving the Sea of Cortez Midriff Islands Liveaboards
• Scuba Diving in Loreto Mexico
• Scuba Diving Cabo Pulmo Mexico
• Scuba Diving Caba San Lucas Mexico

Seasons and Conditions

Diving is good all year in La Paz.

• Average daily air temperature highs are greater than 35°C (95°F) from June through September and just below 25°C (77°F) from December through February.
• Water temperature can get to lows of 19°C (66°F) in February and highs of 30°C (86°F) in September.   From June through November the temperature is greater than 26°C (79°F).  A 5-7mm wetsuit with hood and gloves may be needed when the water is at the coldest but much of the year 3mm or less would be suitable.
• The climate is pretty dry with a rainier time in August and September when it rains at some point in the day 4 days per month.
• Visibility runs from 9-30 meters (30-100 feet) with the plankton bloom in the fall moving it toward the bottom of the range.
• In September through November whale sharks move into the bay in numbers during the plankton bloom.  From December through March, grey and humpback whales, and masses of Mobula rays pass through.
• There are times and locations where the current can be strong. In the winter months, winds are up and increased surface chop is possible especially outside the bay.

La Paz has sites and conditions suitable for all levels of diver.  Many dive shops are in the area offering the full range of diving coursework, equipment rental, guiding, and boat cruises.

Mexican Liveaboard Diving

There are a number of great premium service liveaboard yachts cruising the area near La Paz.  Here is my review on Baja California liveaboards and several of the liveaboard vessels diving near La Paz:

• Socorro Island, Sea of Cortez & Guadalupe Island Shark Diving

Quino el Guardian – Check the Price

MV Valentina – Check the Price

El Duque – Check the Price

Selected La Paz Dive Sites

Los Islotes: 5-30 meters (16-100 feet), two large rock islets one of which forms a natural arch, home to 400 California Brown Sea Lions, the younger ones often playful and interactive, coral wall with huge schools of sardines, reef tropicals including King angelfish, and surgeonfish, suitable for all levels of diver

El Bajo: 15-30 meters (50-100 feet), 3 seamounts, the north mount tops at 24 meters (80 feet), the central mount at 15 meters (50 feet), and the southern mount at 21 meters (70 feet), rich marine life, special attractions include octopus, hammerheads from a few to hundreds, manta rays, whale sharks, tuna, marlin, and amberjacks, a large number of green morays live in a small canyon, strong current is a possibility, suitable for experienced level divers

Isla Ballena (Whale Island): 5-18 meters (15-60 feet), a small island off the west side of Espiritu Santo Island, beautiful coral formations, small caves, and swim-throughs, some of which have air pockets, highlights include conger eels, rays, and dolphins, suitable for all levels of diver

Rocas Lobos (Lobos Rock): 5-27 meters (16-90 feet), many overhangs, coral heads, and small caverns, used to be a rookery for sea lions who no longer make it a home but occasionally come by, sandy bottom with several varieties of rays therein, lots of reef tropicals, including parrotfish, occasional seahorse sightings, and schools of Mobula rays, good night dive, suitable for all levels of diver

Swanee Rock: 9 meters (30 feet), shallow rich coral reef with lots of reef tropicals and macro life, nudibranchs, octopus, frogfish, possible sea lions, caused the wreck of the Salvatierra, suitable for all levels of diver

Salvatierra Wreck: 18 meters (60 feet), cargo ferry that sunk in 1976 after running into Swanee Rock, all made it out alive, becoming more richly encrusted as time goes on, not to be penetrated, suitable for all levels of diver

La Reina: 24 meters (80 feet), rocky islet north of Isla Cerralvo, a beautiful reef with sea fans and brain corals, lots of reef tropicals, rays in the sand, moray eels, turtles, mackerel balls, and resident manta rays, suitable for all levels of diver

La Reinita: 8-30 meters (25-100 feet), west of Cerralvo Island, a small rocky pinnacle with brain corals and gorgonians, lots of reef tropicals, moray eels, big groupers, and macro critters including frogfish, seahorses, and nudibranchs, usually has some current, suitable for all levels of diver

Fang Ming Wreck: 21 meters (70 feet), one of two Chinese ships used to transport illegal immigrants captured by the Mexican government and scuttled in 1999 to become artificial reefs, well prepared for safe and interesting penetration into multiple levels, black corals, turtles often seen, suitable for all levels of diver

Things to Do in La Paz (aside from scuba diving)

Known for its beautiful seaside promenade, beaches, culture, food, the arts, and arid, warm climate, La Paz has something for everyone in a more low key atmosphere than some of Mexico’s most popular tourist areas.  Here are a few activities and sights to consider:  Stroll the Malecon Promenade for the views and the nightlife, Kayak Balandera Beach, Catedral Nuestra Senor de La Paz, Whale Museum, Local Artwork, Museum of Anthropology and History, Shop at the Market, Tour on a Bike, Snorkel with Whale Sharks, Whale Watching in Magdalena Bay, Swim with Sea Lions on Los Islotes or San Rafaelito, Sail to Espiritu Santo Island, Horseback Riding, Practice Your Spanish, Hike the Sierra Laguna Mountains, Fresh seafood, Kitesurfing in La Ventana, Carnaval, Teatro de la Ciudad, Santuario de la Virgen de Guadalupe, Ibarra’s Pottery, Biblioteca de la Historia de las Californias.

This video provides a nice glimpse from one woman’s point of view.

La Paz Transportation, Hotels, & Diving Services

Transportation

• Air – A number of US and Mexican airlines serve customers in flights to La Paz International Airport (LAP).  Airport shuttles, taxis, and vans can provide transport to town, which is a fair distance away.  Pricing is pretty high.  Arranging transport with your hotel before arrival is advisable.
• Ferries from Topolobampo and Mazatlan, on the mainland are available in overnight service through Baja Ferries.  The terminal is at Pichilingue Harbor 30 minutes drive north of town.  Taxis are available there to get you to town.
• Bus – Frequent fairly expensive bus and van service to Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, and Loreto take 2-2.5 hours.
• Taxi service around town is easy to find and reasonably priced.  Agree on the price before departure.
• Rental Cars are available through many American and local agencies at the airport and in town.  Daily rates are reasonable but mandatory car insurance on top is a little pricy.

 For further details on transportation and other tourist tips, please go to Wikivoyage – La Paz.

Hotels and Diving

There are more than a hundred lodging options in La Paz starting at $11 per night.  Several dozen dive shops in the area offer a full range of services that include equipment rental, diving certification classes, dive guides, and boat tours.  Many are within or associated with lodging.

The website linked below has the details and can arrange a booking for the lodging.  You can easily find the location on the map provided on their site.  The rates are guaranteed to be the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.

• La Paz Lodging

Photography in La Paz

With the colorful coral reefs, a variety of reef tropicals, macro critters, hammerheads, rays, pelagics, sea lions, whales, and scenic shoreside targets, as well, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed
• Best Waterproof Cameras

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and give scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on La Paz scuba diving interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<

Updated November 18, 2022

This is the eighty-second in a series of reviews of the best dive resort locations worldwide.  In this post, the focus is Guam. In addition to this series on dive resort locations, the best worldwide liveaboard diving locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.

Have you ever been diving in Guam before?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

Scuba Diving in Guam

Background

Guam is the largest and southernmost of the Mariana Islands and the largest island in Micronesia at 549 square kilometers (342 square miles).  It has been inhabited since 4,000 B.C. and first came into contact with the west when Magellan got there in 1521.

Over the centuries it served as a major port of call between Mexico and the Philippines.  When the U.S. won the Spanish-American War in 1898 it was ceded to them.

Japan pushed the Americans out for 3 years in 1941, but with their defeat in Guam in 1944, America was back.  In 1950 Guam became a territory of the U.S.

Since that time the U.S. has maintained a large military base there that became more important after the closing of the bases in the Philippines.

Aside from the military, tourism is a major economic driver along with fish and handicrafts export.

The population of 162,000 is 37% Chamorro, 26% Filipino, 7% White American, and 7% Chuukese.  English and Chamorro are the official languages with Filipino and several other Asian languages largely in use, and some Spanish, as well.  85% of the population is Roman Catholic.

Guam is not volcanic but does occasionally have earthquakes.  It is the closest landmass to Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench which is 18,911 meters (35,797 feet) deep.  The highest point on the island is Mount Lamlam at 407 meters (1,334 feet).

Undersea World

With 400 species of coral and 1,000 species of fish, Guam offers excellent biodiversity on a relatively pristine reef.  True, historically pollution, silt and run-off, and overfishing have impinged on the full potential, but today marine preserves have been set up and the general population increasingly understands the value of environmental protection.

Most of the diving is done on the west coast in Agat Bay, Apra Harbor, and the south and northwest coastal zones.

Wrecks are what most people think of first with a number of WWII-era remnants of the battles between the Allies and the Japanese.  There are shallow wrecks like the American tanker in Apra Bay that are suitable for beginners.  For the more advanced diver, at 30 meters (100 feet), the WWII Japanese Tokai Maru and German ship Cormoran from WWI are coincidentally resting bow to stern even though sunk decades apart.

The most famous site is the Blue Hole, a deep cavern that starts at 18 meters (60 feet) and descends to 70 meters (230 feet) with reef sharks and pelagics.

Besides these attractions, the other sites are on coral reefs with a variety of terrain including rocks, ledges, and walls some of which have a nice current for a drift dive that in some cases can be fast.

Marine life highlights include green turtles, whose eggs and nesting sites are now protected, spinner dolphins, pilot whales, reef sharks, eagle and manta rays, jacks, barracuda, and pelagics like tuna.  In addition, inhabiting in and around the reef with 400 species of hard and soft corals, gorgonians, sponges, and other encrusting life, you can find octopus, moray eels, crabs, shrimp, anemones, tube worms, sea cucumbers, nudibranchs, lionfish, scorpionfish, triggerfish, surgeonfish, soldierfish, Moorish idols, wrasses, goatfish, rabbitfish, cuttlefish, blennies, and gobies, to name but a few.

Seasons and Conditions

Air and water are both nice and warm all year.

Air temperature average daily highs are from 29-31°C (84-88°F).

Water temperature runs from 28-29.5°C (82-85°F) requiring minimal to no thermal insulation.  Some divers may opt for a 3mm full or shorty or Lycra suit for skin protection.

Rain is significantly greater between July and November with the chance of a tropical storm or typhoon greatest from August through November.  It is possible to lose a few days of diving and have some difficulty flying in and out when there is a storm.

Visibility is typically quite good at 10-50 meters (35-168 feet).

Many sites only have mild to moderate current with a few occasionally having a strong current.

Waves and surface chop are not very significant except during storms.

There are 40 or more dive sites known with many sites suitable for beginners and others for more advanced levels.

At least 20 dive operations are set to provide a full range of diving coursework, equipment rental, guiding, and boat cruises.

Micronesia Liveaboard Diving

There is not a liveaboard that directly cruises the Guam dive sites, but there are boats that go to Palau and Chuuk (Truk).  Here are my reviews and links to those liveaboards:

• Best Scuba Diving Vacations – Truk Lagoon and Bikini Atoll Wrecks
• Best Palau Diving Liveaboard Trips

Pacific Master, Truk Lagoon Liveaboard – Check the Price

Rock Islands Aggressor, Palau Liveaboard – Check the Price & Details

Here are my reviews of other Pacific island liveaboards and resort diving:

• Saipan Scuba Diving
• Best Scuba Diving Oahu Hawaii
• Best Scuba Diving Hawaii Liveaboards
• Best Fiji Dive Resorts and Liveaboard Diving
• Best Diving French Polynesia Liveaboards
• Best Scuba Diving Trips, Solomon Islands Liveaboards

Selected Guam Diving Sites

Double Reef: 60 meters (200 feet) maximum depth, shore entry, a healthy reef of corals with sea whips and white sand, two drop-offs, the first descends to 30 meters (100 feet) and the second to 60 meters (200 feet), interesting marine life with jacks, barracuda and turtles as highlights, experienced level

American Tanker: 5-25 meters (16-83 feet), 100-meter (335-foot), concrete barge sunk by the Americans at the end of WWII to serve as part of a breakwater, lots of fish life in and around it, little current, all levels

Kitsugawa Maru: 42 meters (140 feet), torpedoed, towed to the harbor, and then sunk by bombs and rockets, WWII freighter resting upright, bow mostly intact, gun at the bow with boxes of ammo on the turret, penetration into living quarters through narrow entries, engine room and holds also penetrable, lots of twisted metal and silt, colorful anemones and coral, experienced level

Tokai Maru: 35 meters (115 feet), 135-meter (450-foot) Japanese freighter torpedoed and seven months later torpedoed again and sunk, holds contain truck frames and beds, big engine room with catwalks and two engines intact, stern deckhouse still contains depth charges, rests next to the SMS Cormoran, a German merchant raider scuttled in 1917, 90 meters (300 feet) long, the hull is intact, penetration into the engine room is possible through the skylights, little current, experienced level

Gab Gab 2: 12-40 meters (40-130 feet), one of several Apra Harbor sites, boat access or a 20-minute swim through the military base, the reef is in pretty good shape, octopus, batfish, jacks, turtles, whitetip reef sharks, grouper, all levels

Blue Hole: 17-100+ meters (58-335 feet), huge opening at 17 meters (58 feet), passage drops to 100+ meters (335+ feet), exit holes along the way, first exit is at 40 meters (130 feet), lots of hard and soft coral, small reef fish, moray eels inside, upon exit can ascend and explore along the wall, at 17 meters (58 feet) the reef flattens and there are lots of schooling fish, moderate to strong current, experienced level

The Crevice: 10-45 meters (35-155 feet), large triangular crevice at the coastline from 23-45 meters (78-155 feet), 20 meters (68 feet) across running down to the bottom, nice corals, sea fans and whips, many reef tropicals and a chance for barracuda, sharks, tuna and dolphins, experienced level

Shark’s Pit: 20-35 meters (68-115 feet), the shallower area was used as a junkyard dump during the war for trucks, tanks and trailers pushed off the cliff and still resting only partially intact covered in coral and marine life, huge boulder at 6-20 meters (20-68 feet), lots of fish, the reef starts at 20 meters (68 feet) and runs down to the maximum depth, experienced level

Hap’s Reef: 5-15 meters (16-50 feet), shallow rich coral garden, lots of reef tropicals, trumpetfish, butterflyfish, soldierfish, squirrelfish, mild current, all levels

11 Mile Reef: 25-40 meters (83-130 feet), 11 miles (17.6 kilometers) off the southern tip, excellent corals, strong current, will often need a reef hook to hang on and watch for barracuda, reef sharks, rays and turtles, experienced level

Cocos Island: 5-25 meters (16-83 feet), a small island 2 kilometers (1.25 miles) off the southern tip, Spanish galleon sank on the reef there in 1690, great drift dive along the wall with lots of reef tropicals and bigger pelagics, moderate to strong current, all levels

Guam Photos

With the interesting undersea terrain, walls, the Blue Hole, wrecks, turtles, a variety of fish, moray eels, sharks, rays, dolphins, and whales, scenic beaches and mountain vistas, and historical and cultural site shots as well, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed

Guam Transportation, Lodging, and Dive Shops

Transportation

Air – The civilian airport not far from Tumon is Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport.  Several airlines make direct international connections:  United Airlines to Honolulu, most major cities in Japan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Palau, Manila, and several of the Federated States of Micronesia, Delta to Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, JAL to Tokyo, Korean Air to Seoul, Busan and Osaka, China and Eva Airlines to Taipei, and Philippines Airlines to Manila.

Ship – A number of cruise ships stop at Guam, but there is no regular ferry service from Guam.

Ground – Public buses are available, but service is unpredictable.  There are tourist shopping buses in Tumon that stop at most hotels.  Many hotels also run an airport transit service.  Taxis are readily available as are rental cars.

Lodging and Dive Shops

There are several dozen resorts, hotels, and lodges ranging from $50-$322 per night.  A few have an in-house dive center or are associated with one.  In all, there are at least 20 dive shops offering services including equipment rental, dive courses, guiding, and boat dive cruises.

The website linked below is a good source for the available options and can arrange a booking.  You can easily find the locations on the map provided on this site.  Their rates are the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.

• Guam Hotels, Resorts

Guam Things to Do (aside from scuba diving)

Cultural, natural, and historical sites and activities abound in Guam.  Here is a short list of some of them: Picnic on Alupang Island, Guam Island Fiesta Tour, Latte of Freedom Monument, Pet a Coconut Crab, Hiking, Climb Mount Lamlam, Ride a Carabao, Lina’la’ Chamorro Cultural Park, South Pacific Memorial Peace Park, Latte Stone Park, Guam Pacific War Museum, Coco Palm Garden Beach, Tarzan Falls, Sigua Falls, Tarza Water Park, Micronesia Mall, Ritidian Point, Chamorro Village, Magellan Monument, Encore! Magic Show, Dolphin and Whale Watching, Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, Golf, Nightlife.  These videos are a brief introduction to what Guam has to offer.

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and provide scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on Guam scuba diving interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have diving in Guam.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<

Updated November 14, 2022

This is the one hundred and eighty-third in a series of reviews of the best diving destinations worldwide.  In this post, the focus is on Playa del Carmen, Mexico. In addition to this series on dive resort locations, the best worldwide liveaboard diving locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.

Have you ever been diving in Playa del Carmen before?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

Scuba Diving Playa Del Carmen Mexico

Background

Playa del Carmen is located on the Riviera Maya coast of the Yucatan Peninsula 70 kilometers (44 miles) south of Cancun, 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of the island of Cozumel, and 65 kilometers (41 miles) north up the coastline from Tulum.

Originally a fishing town, it developed traffic as a ferry port for trips to Cancun, the regional scuba diving and resort colossus.  Recent growth has been fast with a lot of investment in luxury condos, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

With a more relaxed atmosphere than Cozumel or Cancun, today it is a major tourist destination with a population of over 250,000.  It is the home of the Mayakoba Golf Classic, a top-level stop on the PGA Tour as a FedEx Cup golf tournament, and the setting for several popular TV shows.  The coastal location in the middle of the Riviera Maya makes it a good base from which to tour and enjoy the Mayan ruins, cenotes, and other natural attractions of the Yucatan.

For additional demographic, historic, and cultural information, please check Wikipedia-Playa del Carmen.

Underwater World

The centralized location on the Riviera Maya of Playa del Carmen gives divers access to a nice variety of reef and wreck dives very close by just offshore.  Along the coastline both to the north and south are many outstanding sites like Banco Chinchorro possible on day trips, as well as the Cozumel sites 30 minutes to an hour away to the east.  In addition, most of the top cenotes require only a short drive to get to.

For my reviews of diving in Tulum, Banco Chinchorro, Cancun, and Cozumel, please check out these posts:

• Best Cenote Diving Mexico
• Scuba Diving Tulum Mexico
• Banco Chinchorro Diving Mexico
• Scuba Diving Cancun Mexico
• Cozumel Scuba Diving Review

The nearby local sites are mostly on the rich fringing reef with more than two dozen coral species consisting of sea fans, gorgonians, and hard and soft corals along with colorful vase and tube sponges.  There are crevices, canyons, swim-throughs, and caverns with limestone outcrops and sandy bottoms.

Megafauna highlights that Playa del Carmen is famous for are bull sharks that reliably come from November through March, whale sharks from May to mid-September, and green and loggerhead turtles that nest from May through September.

Otherwise, macro photographers will enjoy the crabs, shrimps, morays, seahorses, octopuses, spiny lobsters, and many others in the nooks and crannies.

500 or more species of fish are reef residents like butterflyfish, angelfish, sergeant majors, parrotfish, trumpetfish, surgeonfish, porkfish, grunts, snappers, batfish, Caribbean reef and nurse sharks, huge southern stingrays, marble rays, eagle rays, groupers, and tarpon.

Of the 6,000 cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula, 9 of the world’s best for scuba diving are within a driving range of an hour or two from Playa del Carmen.  Unmatched anywhere, they offer spectacular chambers of stalagmite and stalactite formations, intricate passageways, historical remains, wildlife, and unusually clear water.

Seasons and Conditions

Diving is possible all year in the Playa del Carmen area.  December through April is the busiest time.  Early booking is advised.  Whale sharks are most prevalent from May to mid-September and bull sharks from November through March.

• Air temperature average daily highs range from 28°C (82°F) to 33°C (91°F).
• The water temperature in summer is 28-30°C (82-86°F).  In winter it can be a little cooler at
• 25-27°C (77-81°F).  A 3mm wetsuit will be sufficient for most divers when the water is at its coolest.  The cenotes can be much cooler in the 20-26°C (68-78°F) range.
• The strongest rains come from June through October with 10-16 days of rain per month during that time frame.  This is also the season when there is a possibility of hurricanes.
• Currents are often present on marine dives and can be strong at times.
• Visibility is pretty good in the 15-30 meter (50-100 foot) range.  The best is from May to mid-September.

There are sites suitable for all levels of diver.  Over 60 dive shops operate in Playa del Carmen, some associated with hotels, that offer a full range of diving coursework, equipment rental, guiding, and boat cruises.  Some of the shops specialize in services provided but overall they can offer local ocean dives, trips to sites along the Riviera Maya and Cozumel, and to the top cenotes in the region.

Liveaboards

There are not any liveaboard yachts diving at Playa del Carmen, however, there are several world-class dive safaris to relatively nearby Belize, Roatan, and the Caymans.  Here are links to the vessels followed by my reviews of diving and liveaboards at Caribbean destinations including these three:

Belize Aggressor IV, Belize Liveaboard Cruise – Check the Price & Details

Belize Aggressor III, Belize Liveaboard Cruise – Check the Price & Details

Roatan Aggressor, Roatan Liveaboard Cruise – Check the Price & Details

Cayman Aggressor IV, Cayman Island Liveaboard Cruise – Check the Price & Details

• Best Dive Trips to Belize & Cocos Island Liveaboards
• Best Roatan Honduras Liveaboard Reviews
• Scuba Diving Roatan Honduras
• Best Diving Cayman Islands
• Best Caribbean Liveaboard Dive Trips (several locations)
• Scuba Diving Ambergris Caye Belize
• Scuba Diving St. Eustatius
• Scuba Diving in Saba
• Scuba Diving St Kitts and Nevis
• Scuba Diving St. Barts
• Best Guadeloupe Scuba Diving
• Anguilla Scuba Diving
• Scuba Diving in Antigua and Barbuda
• Scuba Diving Cuba Best Dive Sites Cuba
• Best Cuba Scuba Diving Liveaboard Jardines de la Reina
• Scuba Diving the Dominican Republic
• Best Scuba Diving Panama
• Best Scuba Diving Puerto Rico
• Scuba Diving St Vincent and the Grenadines Review
• St. Lucia Scuba Diving Review
• St. Martin Scuba Diving Review
• Turks and Caicos Scuba Diving Review
• Best US Virgin Islands Vacations Scuba Diving
• Best Trinidad and Tobago Vacations Scuba Diving
• Best Caribbean Beach Vacations Curacao Scuba Diving
• Best Caribbean Diving Destinations Aruba
• Best Caribbean Dive Vacations Bonaire
• Best Tropical Island Vacations Dominica Scuba Diving
• Best Caribbean Scuba Diving Los Roques Venezuela
• Barbados Scuba Dive Vacations
• Grenada Scuba Diving Review
• Best Scuba Diving Caribbean – Martinique
• Best British Virgin Island Diving Liveaboard
• Best Bahamas Liveaboard Scuba Vacations

Selected Playa del Carmen Dive Sites

Marine Sites

• Sabalos (Tarpon): 15 meters (50 feet), 10 minutes away by boat, rich hard and soft corals, sloping walls, with small caverns, and sand bottoms, schools of grunts and snappers, green and leopard moray eels, tarpon schools are possible, mild current, suitable for all levels (check out the video at the top)
• Pared Verde: 20-30 meters (68-100 feet), 25-minute boat ride to the south, walls with rich corals, sea fans, and sponges, look for crabs, spiny lobsters, moray eels, lots of reef tropicals, stingrays, sharks, and turtles, current is possible, usually dived as a drift, look for a cavern with a chimney to the top of the reef, suitable for experienced levels
• Punta Venado: 25-35 meters (82-115 feet), southernmost local site, rich in colorful sponges, and hard and soft corals, mild sloping bottom, look for schools of reef tropicals, moray eels, rays, and turtles, special site to reliably encounter numerous bull sharks in the winter season, moderate to strong current is possible, suitable for experienced levels
• Los Arcos: 35 meters (115 feet) maximum depth, northern site, deep swim-through arches encrusted with sponges, sea fans, and hard corals, look for spiny lobsters, crabs, shrimps, and morays in the nooks and crannies, in sandy areas attractions are turtles, groupers, and stingrays, strong current possible, suitable for advanced levels
• Mama Viña Wreck: 28 meters (90 feet), southern site, shrimp boat scuttled to become an artificial reef in 1995, resting upright on a sand bottom, well encrusted with invertebrate growth, rich corals, look for a big school of resident barracuda around the mast, penetration possible into lower decks and rooms, the propeller is in place, strong current is possible, suitable for advanced levels
• Jardines: 6-12 meters (20-40 feet), 5 minutes from the marina, rich coral marinescape with a small wall, expect moray eels and lots of reef fish like angelfish, butterflyfish, sergeant majors, grunts, and many others, bull sharks are possible in winter, currents are usually mild, suitable for all levels
• Tortugas:  18-40 meters (60-130 feet), 15 minutes from the marina to the southeast, can be dove shallow or deep, lots of sponges and corals, highlights are crustaceans, angelfish, nurse sharks, groupers, tarpons, and many none too shy turtles, current normally runs south to north, suitable for experienced to advanced levels

Cenotes

• Chac Mool Cenote:  12 meters (40 feet) maximum depth, three water entrances to the Chac Mool System, most of the dive is dark requiring a torch, no open water is overhead for much of the dive, through the main entrance is a large dome room with ambient light where divers can surface and find fossils and stalactites, water temperature 24-25°C (75-77°F), suitable for advanced and technical levels
• Kukulkan Cenote: 15 meters (50 feet) maximum depth, part of the Chac Mool system, lots of sunlight creates beautiful visual effects, formed from pure white limestone, many open areas, fossils, and stalactites are visible, excellent visibility from 25-30 meters (82-100 feet), water temperature usually around 26°C (78°F), suitable for experienced levels (check out the video above)
• Dos Ojos (Two Eyes):  8-10 meters (24-40 feet), two cenotes connected making one of the ten largest cave systems in the world, worth two or more dives, not completely explored with expeditions to only 61 kilometers (38 miles) of passageways, two main sections, one called Barbie with lots of light, the other called Bat Cavern which is dark with lots of bats, many stalactites and stalagmites, limestone caves, and sinkholes, several fish species and freshwater shrimp, average water temperature is 24°C (77°F), suitable for all levels

Playa del Carmen Resorts, Transportation, and Dive Shops

Transportation

• Air – Playa del Carmen has a small airport.  There is also an international airport on Cozumel that requires you to catch a ferry in order to reach Playa del Carmen.  Generally, the cheapest and most convenient airport is Cancun International Airport (CUN) which connects to 30 countries and 20 destinations within Mexico.
• Bus – From the Cancun Airport, an ADO bus departs every 30 minutes to 1 hour for Playa del Carmen.  Travel time is 45 minutes to one hour.
• Rental cars are a convenient option available at the airport and in town from major agencies, especially at the north end of 5th Avenue.
• Hotels can often arrange airport transfers.  Private companies are available for this, as well.  Check with your hotel, online, and at Wikitravel.
• Taxis in Playa del Carmen are unmetered but reasonably priced based on rates from zone to zone.  Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue) is a pedestrian-only zone with taxis available at major intersections for travel away from there.
• Boats to Cozumel are available from at least two companies with hourly departures for a journey of 30 minutes one way.
• Several levels of buses are available for regional trips.  There is a scheduled public bus service to most destinations.  Reasonably priced First-class ADO buses leave every hour for many major tourist destinations.  Second-class Mayab buses travel along the highway to Tulum, making stops along the way.  Colectivo shared vans are a popular government-regulated alternative for traveling along the coast between Cancun and Tulum.  Pricing is reasonable and they will drop you off along the route as needed but no door-to-door service is offered.  Organized bus tours are also available from many companies for trips to a variety of tourist destinations.

For further details on transportation and tourist information, please check Wikitravel-Playa del Carmen.

Lodging and Dive Shops

There are more than 60 dive shops in the Playa del Carmen area that offer full services including equipment rental, dive courses, guiding, and boat dive cruises.  Some can make trips to more distant locations along Riviera Maya and Cancun and also dive in the top-rated local cenotes.  There are at least 1,000 lodging options starting at $24 some of which are associated with the dive shops.

The website linked below has the details and can arrange the booking for the lodging.  You can easily find the location on the map provided on this site.  Their rates are guaranteed to be the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.

• Playa del Carmen Lodging

Things to do in Playa del Carmen (aside from scuba diving)

Playa del Carmen is the major tourism center along the beach of the Riviera Maya offering a full package of attractions and activities whether it be nightlife, food, shopping, beach and water sports, beautiful natural sites, or archaeological ruins.  Here is a short list of some of the highlights to look into:

Sailing, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, Jet Skiing, Parasailing, Jungle Buggy Tours, Golf, Xcaret, Xplor, and Xel Natural and Adventure Parks, Frida Kahlo Museum, 3D Museum of Wonders, Local Beaches – Mamitas, Playacar, Punta Esmeralda, Beach Day Trips, Xpuha, Xcacel, Nearby Cenotes, Mayan Ruins – Tulum, Coba, Chichen Itza, Swim with turtles at Akumal Beach, Boat to Cozumel, Parque Fundadores, Rio Secreto Cave Tour, Taco Tour – El Gogon, Don Sirloin, Alux Cave Restaurant, Nightlife – Mandala, La Vaquita, Coco Bongo, Salsa Dancing at Zenzi, Quinta Avenida (5^th Avenue) Shopping and Nightlife.

This short video is a very brief introduction to what awaits you in Playa del Carmen.

Photography in Playa del Carmen

With the interesting undersea terrain, cenotes, beautiful hard and soft corals, sea fans, a variety of fish, turtles, rays, sharks, scenic beaches, forests, and Mayan ruins, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed
• Best Waterproof Cameras

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and provide scuba divers quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on Playa del Carmen scuba diving interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:   >>comments<<

Chien Tong Wreck (Photo by Scubaqua Dive Center is courtesy of TripAdvisor)

Updated April 18, 2022

This is the one hundred and ninety-third in a series of reviews of the best diving destinations around the world.  In this post, the focus is on St. Eustatius.  In addition to this series on diving destinations, the best worldwide liveaboard diving locations and services are reviewed in their own series.  To check them out, or others in this series, click on Liveaboards/Resorts on the menu at the top and choose a title from the list.

Have you ever been scuba diving in St. Eustatius before?  If so, I’d love to know about your experience.  What dive shop or liveaboard did you use?  Which dive spots are the best and what are the conditions there regarding the visibility, current, water temperature, sealife attractions, etc.?  Please post your response in the comments section at the bottom and we’ll all learn something we can use.

Scuba Diving St. Eustatius

Background

A part of the Netherland Antilles until it broke up in 2010, St. Eustatius (aka Sint Eustatius or Statia) is a special municipality within the Netherlands.  At 10 kilometers (6 miles) in length and 5 kilometers (3 miles) in width, it has a population of 3,877.

Volcanic in origin, the island is saddle-shaped with Mount Mazinga (Quill), a dormant volcano at 602 meters (1,975 feet) in the southeast and the smaller twin peaks of Signal Hill and Boven Mountain in the northwest.  The beaches around the island have black volcanic sand that provides nesting habitat for green, leatherback, loggerhead, and hawksbill turtles.

First sighted by Columbus in 1493, it developed into the central trading location for the Caribbean colonies of several European countries and was the most important mercantile center among the Dutch colonies up until the end of the 18^th century.  Of special interest (for further investigation) is the unique position of Jewish traders in St. Eustatius in the history of the Caribbean.

Today there is a laid back and quiet atmosphere with an oil terminal and the government the biggest employers.  Dutch is the national language but English is more commonly used with English Creole spoken by many on the street.

For more historical, cultural, geographic, and demographic information, please check Wikipedia-Sint Eustatius.

Undersea World

The diving around St. Eustatius takes place in a protected marine park with 36 moored sites all within 5 kilometers (3 miles) of the Caribbean Leeward coast of the island.

The subsea terrain supports 8 distinct ecosystems with around 70 species of hard corals and 500-700 species of fish.

Shallow fringing reefs to 12 meters (40 feet) consist of volcanic fingers with rich hard and soft corals, sponges, gorgonians, and other encrusting invertebrates.  There is black volcanic sand and grassy beds that are home to many intriguing macro critters like squadrons of flying gurnards, seahorses, garden eels, and peacock flounders.

Going deeper there are a variety of structures including lava ridges, isolated coral mounds and pinnacles, and igneous substrate with ridges, ledges, and caverns, dotted with more than 100 sunken wrecks, ancient and modern, and artifacts like anchors, ballast, and even blue beads.

Other marine life highlights are heaps of spiny lobsters and octopus in the nooks and crannies, spotted drums, schools of French grunts, snappers, black-bar soldierfish, goatfish, squirrelfish, angelfish, batfish, barracuda, horse-eye jacks, eagle rays, stingrays, nurse and reef sharks, the occasional bull shark, humpback whales in winter, pilot whales, and dolphins.

Seasons and Conditions

Diving is possible all year in St. Eustatius.

• It’s always warm with air temperature average daily highs reaching 31°C (88°F) from August through October and getting down to 29°C (84°F) in December through March.
• The water temperature range is 26-29°C (79-84°F).  A 3mm full wetsuit or shorty will be sufficient for most divers when the water is at its coolest.
• The strongest rains come from October through January.  The possibility of hurricanes is greatest from June through November.  However, rains don’t often interfere with diving.
• Currents are generally mild though there are locations and conditions when they can be strong.  Surface conditions tend to be rougher on the windward Atlantic side, but not much diving is done there.
• Visibility is usually excellent in the 18-60 meter (60-200 foot) range throughout the year.  During the rainy season, it will tend toward the bottom of the range.

There is diving suitable for all levels around St. Eustatius.  Two dive shops are in operation that offer a range of PADI coursework, equipment rental, guiding, and boat cruises.

Liveaboard Diving

While there are not any liveaboards specifically cruising to St. Eustatius, there is one excellent yacht that makes a safari to nearby Saba and St. Kitts.  Here is my review and links to the vessel:

• Best Caribbean Liveaboard Dive Trips

MV Caribbean Explorer II, St Kitts & Saba Liveaboard Diving – Check the Price & Details

For reviews of diving in other Caribbean locations, please check out these posts:

• Scuba Diving St. Barts
• Scuba Diving in Saba
• Scuba Diving St Kitts and Nevis
• Best Scuba Diving St. Martin
• Scuba Diving Ambergris Caye Belize
• Best Guadeloupe Scuba Diving
• Anguilla Scuba Diving
• Scuba Diving in Antigua and Barbuda
• Scuba Diving Cuba Best Dive Sites Cuba
• Best Cuba Scuba Diving Liveaboard Jardines de la Reina
• Scuba Diving the Dominican Republic
• Best Scuba Diving Panama
• Banco Chinchorro Diving Mexico
• Scuba Diving Playa Del Carmen
• Scuba Diving Tulum Mexico
• Cozumel Scuba Diving Review
• Scuba Diving Cancun Mexico
• Best Scuba Diving Puerto Rico
• Scuba Diving St Vincent and the Grenadines Review
• St. Lucia Scuba Diving Review
• Turks and Caicos Scuba Diving Review
• Best US Virgin Islands Vacations Scuba Diving
• Best Trinidad and Tobago Vacations Scuba Diving
• Best Caribbean Beach Vacations Curacao Scuba Diving
• Best Caribbean Diving Destinations Aruba
• Best Caribbean Dive Vacations Bonaire
• Best Tropical Island Vacations Dominica Scuba Diving
• Best Caribbean Scuba Diving Los Roques Venezuela
• Barbados Scuba Dive Vacations
• Grenada Scuba Diving Review
• Best Scuba Diving Caribbean – Martinique
• Best British Virgin Island Diving Liveaboard
• Best Bahamas Liveaboard Scuba Vacations
• Best Roatan Honduras Liveaboard Reviews
• Best Belize Dive Trips & Cocos Island Diving

Selected St. Eustatius Dive Sites

Charlie Brown (Charles L. Brown) Wreck: 31 meters (102 feet), 100-meter (327-foot) cable-laying ship scuttled in 2003 to become an artificial reef, at rest on her side, superstructure intact, penetration through an extended portion of the interior is possible, home to horse-eye jacks and barracuda, suitable for experienced levels

Chien Tong Wreck: 22 meters (72 feet), 52-meter (170-foot) Taiwan long-line fishing boat scuttled in 2004 to become an artificial reef, resting upright, well-encrusted home to reef sharks, barracuda, and green turtles famous for their abundance on night dives, suitable for experienced levels

Double Wreck: 18 meters (60 feet), remains of ships sunk 300 years ago that include two large anchors, and a few ballast stones, rich corals and sponges, look for a variety of macro critters in the nooks and crannies, blennies, flying gurnards, lots of reef tropicals, schools of grunts and snappers, huge southern stingrays, barracuda, and turtles, suitable for all levels (check the video below)

Cliffs: >40 meters (>130 feet), site off the southern end, a coral garden at 18 meters (60 feet) drops off on a steep wall to the abyss, look for schools of Creole wrasses and yellowhead jawfish in the shallow garden, the wall has rich corals, sponges, and sea fans, highlights are blacktip reef sharks, turtles, and pelagics, suitable for experienced levels

Blue Bead Hole:  18 meters (60 feet), a site rich in artifacts such as pottery, clay pipes, and numerous blue beads, another favorite area for flying gurnards, other highlights are sailfin blennies, peacock flounders, and seahorses, suitable for all levels

Grand Canyon: >40 meters (>130 feet), wall dive in a canyon between two submerged pinnacles, great location for eagle rays, sharks, and pelagics, suitable for experienced levels

Shark Reef: 30 meters (100 feet), north end site without a mooring, reef and wall with strong current possible, a great place for lobsters in the nooks and crannies, jacks, barracuda, and reef sharks, suitable for experienced levels

Aquarium: 18 meters (60 feet), far north end site, numerous lava bombs richly encrusted with sponges and coral, look for seahorses, scorpionfish, massive schools of sonnets, and lots of reef fish, suitable for all levels

Stenapa: 18 meters (60 feet), a tugboat, barge, and hull of a ship in close proximity, great habitat for juvenile fish, well encrusted with corals, sponges, and other invertebrates that “bloom” on night dives, also a favorite time and location for turtles, suitable for all levels

Hangover Reef: 14-20 meters (46-66 feet), coral garden with a sandy area and ledges, look for frogfish and long snout seahorses,  lots of reef tropicals, permits, horse-eye jacks, and the possibility of reef sharks, suitable for all levels

St. Eustatius Hotels, Transportation, and Dive Shops

Transportation

• Air – F. D. Roosevelt Airport (EUX) connects to St. Martin via regional airline Winair.  There are no flights connecting to other locations.
• Boat – There is no regular boat service to any of the nearby islands like Saba, St. Kitts, or St. Martin.  Plans have been in the works for ferries.
• Getting Around – There are a few private taxi services.  Rental cars can also be found.  Check with your hotel.  Walking or bike riding are also options around this small island.

For further details on transportation and tourist information, please check Wikivoyage-Sint Eustatius.

Hotels and Dive Shops

There are two dive shops in St. Eustatius.  Both offer full services including equipment rental, PADI dive courses, guiding, and boat dive cruises.  The lodging options are limited and tend to be fairly expensive.

The website linked below has the details and can arrange the booking for accommodations.  You can easily find the location on the map provided on that site.  Their rates are guaranteed to be the lowest and it is free to cancel or change dates.

• St. Eustatius Hotels

Things to do in St. Eustatius (aside from scuba diving)

This sparsely populated and beautiful volcanic island is slow-paced and relaxed with a number of historic and scenic sights not to be missed.  Here are some locations and activities to consider:

Quill/Boven National Park, St. Eustatius Historical Foundation Museum, Zeelandia Beach, Lynch Beach, Lynch Bay Beach, Fort de Windt, Fort Oranje, Oranje Bay – Oranjestad Beach, Caribbean Netherlands Science Institute Library, Smoke Alley Beach, Naked Pig/Peterson’s Paradise (gallery), Cool Corner Bar & Restaurant, Local (bar), Statia Taste of Cultures (last Thursday of the month at the airport), Harbor Club Statia, Synagogue Ruins, Old Gin House Restaurant, Mazinga on the Bay, Statia Carnival (July), Hiking, Birding, Fishing, Whale Watching (in winter).

Photography in St. Eustatius

With the interesting volcanic subsea terrain, colorful corals, and encrusting life, gorgonians, macro critters, schools of fish, southern stingrays, eagle rays, reef sharks, turtles, shipwrecks, and fascinating scenes on land, as well, there are many excellent photo opportunities.  For information and reviews of dive cameras, click here:

• Best Underwater Cameras Compared and Reviewed
• Best Waterproof Cameras

Scuba Diving Trip Insurance

A cushion for emergencies provides peace of mind when on vacation.  I recommend this diving insurance as they have worldwide coverage and provide scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.

Feedback and Comments

I hope you found this post on scuba diving in St. Eustatius interesting and useful. If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to share them in the comments section.  I’d love to know of any experience you have.  If there is no comments section directly below, click here:  >>comments<<