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Specialties: Big Animals and Live-aboard Diving (Baja Peninsula),
Drift Diving (Cozumel), Cave and Cavern Diving (Cenotes in Akumal and
the Riviera Maya), Snorkeling, Ecotours.
Baja Peninsula (Pacific Ocean)
•
Sea of Cortez is located between the Baja Peninsula and
the mainland of Mexico, the Sea of Cortez contains over 850
species of reef fish, whale sharks, hammerheads, orcas,
whales, dolphin and sea lions. The Sea of Cortez is also home
to many types of fish that can only be found in these waters
such as the Cortez angel and Cortez damsel fish. The seas are
usually calm and the Sea of Cortez is a live-aboard only
vacation.
• Socorro Islands
are located 250 miles south of the Baja Peninsula
in the Pacific Ocean. The Socorro Islands have some of the best big
animal diving on earth, comparable to Costa Rica’s Cocos Island
and referred to as the “Mexican Galápagos.” The
Socorro Islands are famous for their Giant Mantas with wing spans of
up to 22 feet across. The Socorro Islands have schools of shark including
hammerhead, white tips, silver tips, silkys, duskies, and whale sharks.
In February to mid-April, these islands are home to Humpback Whales
that come here to breed and calve. Socorro is only available by live-aboard.
Yucatán Peninsula (Caribbean Sea)
•
Akumal and the Riviera Maya: Akumal, meaning “Place of the Turtle” is
in the Yucatán Peninsula along the Riviera Maya. This area is
known for its beautiful beaches and cenotes (say-no-tays). Mayans believed
the fresh water pools of the cenotes were holy places and portals to
a spiritual world beneath the earth. Cenotes are simply sinkholes where
the ground above the cavern has collapsed. New cenotes are found frequently
by low flying aircraft after a storm. The water of the cenotes is so
cool and clear, you’ll swear your five buddies are suspended in
air. Visibility can reach 350 feet! From a geological view, the cave
structures are millions of years in the making with limestone cathedrals
adorned with brilliant stalactites and stalagmites. Buoyancy control
and kicking technique is extremely important. Although the cavern dives
are during the daylight hours, you’ll use a dive light and night
diving techniques, light signals and hand signals. Cenotes are diverse
in architecture, color and their exotic entrances through the jungle.
Some caverns have big spacious chambers, while others have several smaller
chambers with cascading lights from openings in the ceiling. Open water
diver certification is all that is required to go on a cavern tour. Snorkeling
is common at cenote entrances. The water can be a chilly 65°F to
72°F so it’s not uncommon to see divers with shorties or 3
mm. wetsuits, and even hoods.
• Cozumel
is known for its amazing drift diving, incredible beaches,
great restaurants and night life. Cozumel (pronounced koh-zah-MEL) is
located 12 miles off the northeast corner of Mexico’s Yucatán
Peninsula, dividing the Gulf of Mexico from the Caribbean Sea. The island
is 30 miles long and 10 miles wide with a population of approximately
70,000. Along the west side of the island are superb shallow snorkeling
reefs and a deep barrier reef. Warm, fast-moving Yucatan currents sweep
through the deep channels. These currents brink a constant wash of plankton
and other nutrients that support thousands of exotic fish. Visibility
remains a constant 100 to 150 feet, year round. A 20-mile section of
Cozumel’s most beautiful coral gardens has been designated a marine
sanctuary.
• Chinchorro Banks: Located off the Yucatán
mainland near the Belize border, the Chinchorro Banks has
more than 30 miles of
dazzling, unexplored reefs and shipwrecks. The Chinchorro
Reef used to
be only accessible by fishing pangas. The area is now
accessible by automobile but driving this new road should only
be attempted during the daylight hours due primarily to the
lack of overhead highway lights. Because of the distance from
Cancun, our groups usually spend a few days in Akumal diving
the cenotes before continuing south to the Chinchorro Banks. Dive resorts outside of Mahajual
and Xcalak provide day excursions to the Chinchorro Reef, weather permitting.
The 17-mile ride to the closes reefs takes about an hour. Visibility
ranges from 60 to 200 feet, depending on wind and sea conditions. The
best diving is in the summer when the air is warm and the seas are calm.
Best Diving Months: In the Yucatán Peninsula, there is great diving
all year round. The rainy season is June through October and the hurricane
season is September through November. In the Baja Peninsula, these are
two distinct geographical areas, the best season for each is opposite
of each other. The best diving season for the Sea of Cortez is July through
October and often through December. For the Socorro Islands, the best
diving season is November through May.
Water Temperature: Water temperatures average 77°F to 85°F in
the Yucatán. For Baja, the temperatures during the best diving
season average 70°F to 72°F in February and March for the Socorro
Islands (best opportunities for Humpback Whales), and 78°F to 80°F
in April, May, and November. The water temperature averages 77°F
to 80°F in the Sea of Cortez during July and early August then climbs
to an average of 80°F to 83°F in late August through October.
For diving Baja, we recommend a 3 mm to 5mm wet suit and a diving hood.
Underwater Visibility: Excellent visibility in the Yucatán where
visibility averages 100 feet to 200 feet. In the cenotes, visibility
can reach an amazing 350 feet. Visibility in the Baja Peninsula 60 to
100 feet.
Airport Info: International Airports are Cancun and Cozumel. Traveling
to Baja, the gateway is San Jose Del Cabo (Los Cabos International Airport,
airport code SJD).
Documents and Customs Regulations: A passport is
preferred but U.S. citizens may use a certified, original birth certificate
(with a raised
seal), and a driver’s license (photo ID). All travelers should
have a round-trip or onward ticket. Visitors are issued a tourist card
free on arrival, which must be kept and returned to immigration officials
before leaving the country.
Language: Spanish is the official language. Some English and Mayan are
spoken.
Health: Drink bottled water and wash fresh fruit. Imported pharmaceuticals
available in most towns.
Climate: Tropical in the south, coastal resorts temperate,
mountains cool. Normally 75°F to 90°F during the day from December through
February. At night, temperature can drop to 70°F. The rainy season
is June through September.
Government:
A republic.
Electrical Current: 110 volts, 60 cycles AC and generally compatible
with American appliances.
Current Weather:
Get current weather from Weather.com
Currency:The Mexican Peso (MXN). US dollars, credit cards, and travelers
checks are widely accepted. ATMs dispense pesos.
Get current exchange rate from XE.com
Current Time: The
Baja Peninsula:
Get current time from WorldTimeServer.com
Yucatán Peninsula:
Get current time from WorldTimeServer.com
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