Dive· Islas Marietas· Mexico
El Morro Dive Site (Islas Marietas)
20° 40.2′ N · 105° 39.0′ W
A cluster of offshore volcanic pinnacles about 4 nm west-southwest of the Marietas. It is Banderas Bay's signature advanced dive, with deep walls, swim-throughs, gorgonians and sea fans, and frequent giant Pacific manta rays, jacks, tuna and eagle rays.
Practical
Coordinate is PADI's dive-site position for El Morro (20.67053, -105.65054). Maximum depth about 131 ft / 40 m (PADI). Strong currents are very common, so it is for experienced divers only; PADI suggests Advanced, Deep, Nitrox and a DSMB. The site lies within the Islas Marietas protected area (Wikipedia ES lists El Morro as an islet of the archipelago). Dive with an authorised operator; private-boat diving inside the national park needs CONANP permission. It is about 95 minutes by dive boat from Marina Vallarta (Ecotours; 2-tank trip USD 170, no year stated, verify locally). Do not anchor on the pinnacles.
Best for
Advanced pelagic and manta dive
Season
Mantas mostly in the warm months; best visibility Jun–Dec (30–100 ft)
Nearby
- Islas Marietas National Park4.1 NM away
- Islas Marietas Day-Use Moorings4.2 NM away
- Islas Marietas Dive Sites4.9 NM away
- Islas Marietas Snorkel4.9 NM away
- Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach, Islas Marietas)5.1 NM away
- Banderas Bay Blast and Punta Mita Yacht & Surf Club9.5 NM away
- El Anclote Restaurants (Punta de Mita)9.5 NM away
- Punta de Mita Anchorage9.5 NM away
Place data includes © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).