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Have our Property Experts recommend the perfect vacation rental for your group - Click here to begin!
US +1.226.979.0769 | MX +52.958.144.8290 | WhatsApp |
Español
My Huatulco Vacation had the unique opportunity to interview two of the region's most experienced dive masters. Below you will find their feedback on Huatulco's best diving opportunities, their favorite dive sites, as well as stories about their most unique moments in Huatulco's waters.
When asked why they both decided to set up shop in Huatulco, both divers agreed on the fact that this area offers more marine life than almost anywhere else they've scuba dived in the world. Although the Pacific doesn't offer the visibility of the Caribbean, it offers a much more lively sea with an abundance of rays, turtles and eels. Both dive masters spoke of the energy of the ocean with passion and excitement for the gift it offers its divers.
The perk of the Huatulco diving scene is the fact that you don't have pressure to leave at the crack of dawn to get a chance at calm waters and good diving conditions. One of the reasons for this is that there are so many great dive spots that are easy to access from the marina base. You can depart at 9:30am and expect a full and great day on the water – most days of the year.
According to our dive masters your diving experience may include everything from, underwater canyons and cliffs to volcanic rocks, and coral plates.
Our dive masters have taken the time to break down Huatulco's dive sites one-by-one, including:
Overall Rating: 10/10
This dive site is great for a variety of skill levels. Beginners will enjoy the site thanks to the fact that it is well protected from currents. Beginners can also access volcanic rocks without having to go in holes. Experienced divers can enjoy greater depth and experience playing with the surge – going to and from the holes. The views are amazing and it's rare to see other divers here.
Dive Master Experiences
Overall Rating: 10/10
This dive site requires advanced open water diver skill level. It is located further out from shore than most other dive sites in the area and offers greater depths. You can't see the rock formations from the surface – the attraction of this site is the depth.
Dive Master Experiences
Overall Rating: 8/10
This site offers a great spot for beginners because it's protected and has a sandy bottom at about 35 – 40 feet down. There is a dead-ended open canyon where divers can enter and literally be surrounded by a variety of fish. Experienced Divers can venture deeper to 60 -120 feet in very deep coral canyons where they can practice surge diving. There are incredible rock formations at this site. The Southern Pacific Sting Rays have been spotted here (8ft long plus their tail) and at greater depths you can find fantastic Lobster.
Dive Master Experiences
Overall Rating: 9/10
This is really two sites in one. The first area of the site is: "the cove" which is well suited to beginner divers. It's called the cove because of the rock and coral formations that sprawl out from the beach area. During the winter months, you can typically find a "carpet of rays" at this site. Here you will have a chance to see brown and yellow sting rays and southern pacific rays, butterfly rays, manta rays and electric rays. As long as you respect the rays, they won't come after you.
The second area of the site is: "the rock" which is better suited for advanced divers. Here divers really need to know how to navigate the underwater area. There are two small caves with holes where you'll need flashlights. There is lots of coral and lots of sharks. You will likely see turtles, nurse sharks, lobsters, etc.
Dive Master Experiences
Overall Rating: 9/10
Maguey Bay offers three different dive options. Beginners can enjoy a sandy area where they can view seahorses. The maximum height these seahorses will reach is 25 cm and they usually travel in pairs – as they are monogamous with their mate for life. Interestingly, the males care for the babies while the female seahorses hunt for food.
For more experienced open water certified divers, there are options of either open water 60 ft depth dive where you will find zigzagging rocks and canyons to explore. Or, The Point, where you divers with deep diving specialty can reach depths of 130 ft. and see Red Snapper and Amberjacks in their natural habitats.
Dive Master Experiences
Overall Rating: 4/10
Both of our dive masters agree that this is a very overpopulated area that is filled with a lot of boat traffic and a noisy shoreline. The area itself offers a coral plateau that is well protected off Santa Cruz Bay but is VERY crowded with snorkellers. The deepest area measures 9 metres. Unfortunately the coral has been badly damaged over time from the over-populated swimming area.
Overall Rating: 10/10
Cacaluta is one of the most breathtaking spots one can find in Huatulco – both from the land and sea. As one of the protected ecological zones in Huatulco, this is the absolute epitome of a tropical oceanic paradise! There are 4 dive sites in Cacaluta:
Dive Master Experiences
Overall Rating: 8/10
This site offers large rocks with channels between them large enough for the big Grouper and Divers to swim through. Often Snappers will be found between the rocks. There is a cove that reaches to the shoreline that is great for snorkellers.
Dive Master Experiences
Overall Rating: 8/10
Chachacual offers two dive sites:
The overall attraction of Chachacual is the wide variety of mantas, turtles and Pacific marine life found around this area.
Overall Rating: 9/10
This is the last of the Bays of Huatulco and a site that takes about 40-60 minutes to reach by boat (depending on conditions). The dive site itself is located on the outside of the island, La Rajada. There is a lot more life here than at many of the other dive sites because it is used less frequently and is further from the majority of Huatulco's water traffic.
There are good rocks at this dive site that offer the opportunity to dive between the cracks. Divers can descend down the middle and go between the rock crevasses.
Dive Master Experiences
Water & weather conditions can change quickly in Huatulco. In high winds the marinas close down and dive boats are unable to take people out. For this reason, it is recommended that divers try and book their dive for the earlier part of their stay in case of delayed outings.
It is a good idea to dive leave time between your last dive and the flight home – for that reason same day dives on or close to departure day are not recommended.
Get up to seven days of marine weather forecasts as well as marine weather data and charts - all centered on your chosen latitude and longitude.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns of dangerous weather, charts seas and skies, guides the use and protection of ocean and coastal resources, and conducts research to improve understanding and stewardship of the environment.
When in town you can tune into the Harbor Master Report to get up to the minute detailed information about conditions for the various dive spots in Huatulco.
Whether it is dinner deals or discounts on tour packages you are after, we can help you today. We offer deals and discounts that are not available anywhere else - online or off.
Contact us to book your Huatulco Diving Trip today!
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An up to date resource for all scheduled flights into Huatulco, Mexico. Listings include flights to Huatulco from Canada, USA and Mexico as well as contact information for all participating airlines.
When you come to Huatulco to dive, you need to take days off in between multiple dives. Check out this list of 101+ things to keep you entertained on your down days. From dining ideas to tours that get you out and about, there is something on this list for everyone!
