Dive· Islas Marietas· Mexico
Islas Marietas Dive Sites
20° 41.8′ N · 105° 34.1′ W
Volcanic caves, caverns and reef walls around Isla Redonda and Isla Larga, made famous by Jacques Cousteau. Easy, varied diving for beginners and advanced divers alike, with turtles and nurse sharks resting in the caves.
Practical
Coordinate is PADI's dive-site position for Islas Marietas (20.69639, -105.56831), on the reef between the two islands. Depth 25 to 75 ft / 7.5 to 23 m and average visibility about 39 ft / 12 m (PADI). Wikipedia gives surrounding water depths of 70 to 110 ft. National park rules: anchoring is not allowed; use the day-use moorings or go with an authorised operator. Landing on the islands is prohibited except Playa del Amor with a permit, and capacity is limited (625 visitors a day park-wide). It is about 60 minutes by dive boat from Marina Vallarta (Ecotours, 2 tanks USD 170, no year stated, verify locally). Humpbacks pass December to March. Sponges, echinoderms and reef fish are common.
Best for
Cave and reef diving for all levels
Season
Year-round; clearer water Jun–Dec
Nearby
- Islas Marietas SnorkelRight here
- Playa del Amor (Hidden Beach, Islas Marietas)0.5 NM away
- Islas Marietas Day-Use Moorings0.7 NM away
- Islas Marietas National Park1 NM away
- El Morro Dive Site (Islas Marietas)4.9 NM away
- Banderas Bay Blast and Punta Mita Yacht & Surf Club5.2 NM away
- Punta de Mita Anchorage5.2 NM away
- El Anclote Restaurants (Punta de Mita)5.3 NM away