Venture into the mesmerising underwater world of Puerto Vallarta, a scuba diving paradise nestled along Mexico’s Pacific coast. From vibrant coral reefs teeming with colourful marine life to mysterious caves, Puerto Vallarta offers a diverse array of diving experiences for all skill levels. Get ready to uncover 11 incredible scuba diving spots in Puerto Vallarta that will leave you spellbound and eager for more underwater adventures.
1. Los Arcos National Marine Park
Immerse yourself in the enchanting underwater realm of Los Arcos National Marine Park, one of Puerto Vallarta’s most renowned diving spots. This protected area features a series of granite rock formations that form intriguing caves, tunnels, and archways, perfect for divers of all experience levels. Explore the vibrant marine ecosystem, home to angelfish, moray eels, seahorses, and a variety of crustaceans. Be captivated by the mesmerising ballet of playful sea lions and the occasional manta ray gliding through the water. With its unique geological formations, abundant marine life, and clear waters, Los Arcos National Marine Park offers a magical diving experience that you’ll cherish forever. The area’s warm waters and excellent visibility make it an ideal spot for underwater photography, ensuring that you capture memories that will last a lifetime. The park’s accessibility from Puerto Vallarta, combined with its impressive variety of dive sites, makes Los Arcos National Marine Park a must-visit destination for both novice and experienced divers alike.
2. El Morro
Embark on an underwater adventure at El Morro, a dramatic dive site that features steep walls, deep pinnacles, and a captivating cave known as the “Devil’s Throat.” Suitable for advanced divers, this site offers an exhilarating experience as you navigate the deep waters, fit to bursting with marine life such as giant manta rays, sea turtles, and schools of jacks. Be prepared for thrilling encounters with larger pelagic species, including hammerhead sharks and the occasional whale shark. El Morro’s challenging environment, spectacular marine life, and striking underwater landscapes make it a must-visit destination for experienced divers. The abundance of pelagic life and the fascinating underwater topography make El Morro an unforgettable dive spot that will have you craving more deep-sea adventures. In addition to the thrilling dives, El Morro’s remote location provides a serene environment for divers, allowing you to fully connect with the wonders of the underwater world.
3. Marietas Islands
Discover the beauty and diversity of the Marietas Islands, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve located just off the coast of Puerto Vallarta. These volcanic islands are home to an array of unique dive sites, each offering a different underwater experience. Dive through underwater caves and tunnels, glide along steep walls adorned with vibrant coral, and swim among dense schools of fish. The Marietas Islands are a haven for marine life, including sea turtles, manta rays, and dolphins, ensuring that every dive offers an unforgettable encounter. The islands are also home to the iconic “Hidden Beach,” a secluded and picturesque cove accessible only by swimming through a tunnel. With its diverse marine life, stunning underwater landscapes, and protected status, the Marietas Islands are a must-visit destination for scuba divers seeking a one-of-a-kind experience. Furthermore, the islands’ unique geological features and rich biodiversity make them an ideal location for eco-tourism and conservation efforts, attracting visitors from around the world.
4. Majahuitas
Venture to the secluded Majahuitas, a stunning dive site situated in a beautiful cove along the southern coast of Banderas Bay. This location boasts pristine coral reefs teeming with colourful marine life, such as angelfish, pufferfish, and octopuses. The gentle currents and calm waters make Majahuitas an excellent spot for beginner divers and snorkelers, allowing them to explore the underwater wonders with ease. In addition to the remarkable coral formations, Majahuitas is home to several fascinating underwater caves, providing an enticing challenge for more experienced divers. The site’s remote location ensures a peaceful diving experience, allowing you to truly appreciate the beauty of the underwater world. With its vibrant marine life, captivating coral reefs, and idyllic setting, Majahuitas is a must-visit dive site in Puerto Vallarta.
5. Las Caletas
Experience the wonders of Las Caletas, a secluded beach accessible only by boat, situated along the southern coast of Banderas Bay. This hidden gem offers a variety of dive sites suitable for divers of all skill levels. Dive into the crystal-clear waters and discover the vibrant coral reefs, teeming with a diverse array of marine life, including colourful reef fish, lobsters, and moray eels. The calm waters and gentle currents make Las Caletas an excellent location for novice divers to gain confidence and experience, while the fascinating underwater topography provides more advanced divers with an exciting challenge. The remote and pristine environment of Las Caletas makes it an ideal spot to escape the crowds and immerse yourself in the tranquillity of the underwater world.
6. Chimo
Explore the remote and untouched dive site of Chimo, located at the southern tip of Banderas Bay. This area is renowned for its vibrant and healthy coral reefs, home to an impressive variety of marine life. Dive amongst schools of snappers, groupers, and jacks, and marvel at the graceful manta rays and sea turtles that frequent the area. Chimo’s challenging currents and depths make it a suitable destination for advanced divers seeking an adrenaline-filled adventure. The site’s unspoiled nature and rich marine biodiversity make Chimo a dream destination for underwater photographers and marine enthusiasts alike. Delve into the pristine waters of Chimo and experience the awe-inspiring beauty of one of Puerto Vallarta’s most remote and captivating dive sites.
7. Colomitos
Discover the small yet enchanting dive site of Colomitos, nestled in a secluded cove along the southern coast of Banderas Bay. This picturesque location features crystal-clear waters, golden sandy beaches, and vibrant coral reefs, providing a stunning backdrop for your underwater adventure. The calm waters and shallow depths make Colomitos an ideal destination for beginner divers and snorkelers, while the fascinating marine life and coral formations offer plenty of excitement for more experienced divers. Swim amongst schools of colourful reef fish, spot graceful sea turtles, and admire the intricate coral structures that make up this enchanting underwater world.
8. La Corbeteña
Experience the thrill of diving at La Corbeteña, an exhilarating dive site located 36 miles off the coast of Puerto Vallarta. This remote site is a massive rock formation rising from the ocean floor, surrounded by crystal-clear waters that offer exceptional visibility. As an advanced dive site, La Corbeteña is known for its challenging depths, strong currents, and an abundance of pelagic species, making it a top destination for experienced divers. Be prepared to encounter awe-inspiring marine life, such as hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, and even humpback whales during their migration season. In addition, the site is home to a variety of tropical fish, moray eels, and vibrant coral formations that create a fascinating underwater landscape for divers to explore. With its remote location and diverse marine life, La Corbeteña offers a unique and unforgettable diving experience that will undoubtedly leave you yearning for more.
9. La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
Discover the exceptional marine life and pristine waters of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, a picturesque fishing village on the northern coast of Banderas Bay. This area boasts several dive sites that cater to divers of all experience levels, featuring vibrant coral reefs, fascinating underwater rock formations, and an abundance of marine life. Swim amongst schools of tropical fish, spot elusive moray eels hiding among the coral, and marvel at the majestic manta rays that gracefully glide through the water. La Cruz de Huanacaxtle’s tranquil atmosphere, combined with its stunning underwater environment, makes it an ideal destination for divers seeking a peaceful and immersive experience. The area’s exceptional visibility and diverse marine life also make it a fantastic location for underwater photography, ensuring that you capture memories that will last a lifetime.
10. El Sequial
Venture into the underwater wonders of El Sequial, a lesser-known dive site situated in the southern part of Banderas Bay. This hidden gem is known for its extensive coral reef system that attracts a wide variety of marine life, including colourful reef fish, sea turtles, and manta rays. The site’s calm waters and shallow depths make it an excellent destination for beginner divers and snorkelers, while the intricate coral formations and diverse marine life provide a fascinating environment for more advanced divers to navigate. El Sequial also offers a unique night diving experience, where divers can witness the mesmerising bioluminescent displays of various marine creatures that inhabit the area. With its unspoiled beauty, rich marine life, and serene atmosphere, El Sequial offers a truly unique and unforgettable diving experience in Puerto Vallarta.
11. Los Anegados
Embark on an exciting underwater adventure at Los Anegados, a remote dive site located to the north of Banderas Bay. This area features a series of underwater rock formations covered in vibrant coral, creating a captivating landscape overflowing with diverse marine life. Dive amongst schools of colourful fish, spot elusive octopuses camouflaged amongst the rocks, and be amazed by the elegant ballet of manta rays as they glide through the water. Los Anegados’ challenging depths and currents make it a thrilling destination for experienced divers seeking an adrenaline-filled experience. In addition to its captivating underwater landscapes, Los Anegados is also known for its remarkable visibility, making it an excellent location for underwater photography enthusiasts looking to capture stunning images of the site’s rich marine biodiversity. With its unique and exhilarating underwater world, Los Anegados is a must-visit destination for divers seeking adventure in Puerto Vallarta.
Introducing Agulhas
Whether you are just starting to dip your toes into the world of scuba diving, or are an experienced diver looking to upgrade your equipment for your next big diving adventure, Agulhas is your one-stop shop for all your diving equipment needs.
Agulhas is innovating how diving gear is made. Our unique modular items means you can replace any damaged part of your diving equipment without having to replace the whole product. Not only does this save you money, but it also decreases waste, adding to the sustainability of our products. For us, sustainability is at the very heart of our business and what we stand for.
Every piece of our diving gear is made with the most imperishable materials available, helping to decrease ocean pollutants. Our goal is to provide you with the best performance and experience possible while providing an environmentally-friendly solution.
So if you’re looking for dependable, efficient, affordable, and sustainable diving gear, look no further than Agulhas! Why not browse our catalogue to see what equipment we offer, or check out more in-depth guides to scuba diving and freediving throughout our website? For all your scuba diving needs, trust in Agulhas, connecting you to the ocean for good.
Conclusion
Puerto Vallarta’s exceptional scuba diving spots offer a wealth of underwater experiences for divers of all skill levels. From the vibrant coral reefs of Los Arcos to the thrilling depths of La Corbeteña, each dive site presents its unique charms and challenges. Whether you’re a seasoned diver seeking an adrenaline rush or a beginner eager to explore the underwater world, Puerto Vallarta’s diverse diving locations provide unforgettable adventures that will leave you in awe of the ocean’s beauty and mystery.
