The stretch of Mexican Caribbean coast between Cancún and Playa del Carmen is one of the most productive single-season dive regions in the world. Bull sharks (*Carcharhinus leucas*) aggregate off Playa del Carmen from November to March — a clean current drift dive with close encounters that defined the destination. In Isla Mujeres waters from December to March, the sailfish run produces one of the most spectacular snorkel events on earth, with sailfish coordinating to break up sardine bait balls. And from June to September, whale sharks aggregate in open water off Isla Contoy. Few places offer three different seasonal megafauna events on the same itinerary.
The year at a glance
- Water
- 25–27 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 25–27 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 25–27 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 26–28 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- calm
- Rain
- low
- Water
- 26–28 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- calm
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 27–29 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- calm
- Rain
- high
- Water
- 28–30 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- calm
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 28–30 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- high
- Water
- 28–30 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- rough
- Rain
- high
- Water
- 27–29 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- high
- Water
- 26–28 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- moderate
- Water
- 25–27 °C
- Viz
- 15–25 m
- Sea
- moderate
- Rain
- low
Signature dive sites
The sites you'll hear about in every briefing.
- 01
Bull Shark Dive (Playa)
20–25m drift dive with pregnant female bulls Nov–Mar.
- 02
Isla Mujeres sailfish run
Open-water snorkel with sailfish hunting sardines.
- 03
Afuera whale shark aggregation
Open-water snorkel with up to 100 whale sharks in summer.
What you'll see
Top species with their April status.
Bull Shark
Atlantic Sailfish
Whale Shark
Getting there
Gateway
Fly into Cancún (CUN). Visa: Tourist card on arrival, 180 days.
Best months
Jan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Nov, Dec