The dive sites in Playa del Carmen

Just minutes by boat from the dive center, many sights of Playa del Carmen can be explored from the coral reef in the Riviera Maya. The diversity of dives delight lovers of nature dives, the beginner diver and the certified diver: drift diving, wreck diving, deep diving, night diving, etc.... You’ll explore all the fauna and flora with Caribbean reef fish, sponges, sea fans, as well as turtles, moray eels, rays and next season, nurse sharks, bull sharks.

Cerebros (max depth 15 m / 49 ft):

After 35 minutes on boat, you’ll reach the Cerebros Dive Site located north of Playa Del Carmen. Here, you can dive in the middle of the beautiful coral formations that rise to the surface. This site is very rich in corals, sponges and brain. 

• - Depth: 15m (49ft)
• - Dive time: 45 min à 65 min
• - Type of dive: Drift
• - Difficulty: Easy

Los Arcos (max depth 35 m / 115 ft) :

This dive site is located north of Playa del Carmen and is named Los Arcos (the Arches literally) because of its component caves and arches that can be found there. You can find turtles, moray eels, lobsters and other crustaceans. Because of strong current, this dive is recommended for experienced divers.

• - Depth: 35 m (115 ft)
• - Dive time: 40 min à 50 min
• - Type of dive: Drift
• - Difficulty: Difficult

Pared verde (max depth 30 m / 100 ft) : 

This dive site is located 25 minutes by boat from the Marina and consists of a wall between 20 and 30 meters deep. The wall is covered with corals, sponges and sea fans is home to many fishes, moray eels, turtles and stingrays. 

• - Depth: 30 m (100 ft)
• - Dive time: 40 min à 50 min
• - Type of dive: Drift
• - Difficulty: Medium

Moc-che deep (depth 30 m / 100 ft) : 

This wall of coral, sponges and sea fans is between 20 and 30 meters deep. Here you can also watch all the fauna and flora typical of the Caribbean region. 

• - Depth: 30 m (100 ft)
• - Dive time: 40 min à 50 min
• - Type of dive: Drift
• - Difficulty: Medium

Moc-che (depth 13 m / 42 ft) : 

20 minutes by boat from the Marina and across from Playa Del Carmen, Moc-Che is a dive site located north of Playa Del Carmen. With a maximum depth of 13m, Moc-che is composed of several coral formations that lead to a beautiful arch.

• - Depth: 13m (42 ft)
• - Dive time: 45min à 65min
• - Type of dive: Drift
• - Difficulty: Easy

Chun-zumbul (depth 10 m / 33 ft) : 

Located north of the Marina (15 minutes by boat), Chun-Zumbul is a 10m deep reef at which you can observe Caribbean fish and admire beautiful coral formations (see photo).

• - Max depth: 10m (33 ft)
• - Dive time: 45min à 65min
• - Type of dive: Drift
• - Difficulty: Easy

Jardines (depth 12 m / 39 ft) : 

5 minutes by boat from the Marina and across from Playa Del Carmen, Jardines is a beautiful reef composed of a small wall (2m) where you can find moray eels, angelfish and other fish typically found in the Caribbean. Depending on the time of the year and distance from the reef, you might be able to get a glimpse of the bull sharks and even take pictures. 

• - Max depth: 12m (39 ft)
• - Dive time: 45min à 65min
• - Type of dive: Drift
• - Difficulty: Easy

Sabalos (depht 15 m / 49 ft) : 

10 minutes by boat, Sabalos is a magnificent reef with alternating walls of coral, sand and caves. With a maximum depth of 15m, this site of medium difficulty houses impressive green moray eels, morays leopards. Rich in color, flora and fauna of the Caribbean, Sabalos is ideal for leisurely enjoying the aquatic life and taking photos. 

• - Max depth: 15m (49 ft)
• - Dive time: 45min à 65min
• - Type of dive: Drift
• - Difficulty: Easy

Tortugas (depth 18 à 40 m / 90 à 120 ft) :

Located 15 minutes by boat from the Marina, this dive site consists of a plate extending between 18m and 40m deep and is ideal for a first deep dive (30m) or a second shallower (18m). As its name suggests, this diving spot is a great place to meet approachable turtles.

• - Max depth: 18 à 40m (90 à 120 ft)
• - Dive time: 30min à 50min
• - Type of dive: Drift
• - Difficulty: Medium / Difficult

Barracuda (depth 15 m / 49 ft) :

Located between Tortugas and Mama Viña and south of Playa Del Carmen, Barracuda is a nice reef at 15m depth and lends itself well to dive days and nights. Rich in marine life (eels, boxfish, angelfish, flutes etc.) and color, this site is very popular with divers that also want to take pictures.

• - Max depth:15 m (49 ft)
• - Dive time:45 min à 65 min
• - Type of dive: Drift
• - Difficulty: Easy

Mama Viña (profondeur 28 m / 90 ft) :

Located 20 minutes by boat and south of Playa Del Carmen, the Mama Viña wreck lies at a depth of 28m. This old boat, used for shrimp fishing in 1995, was sunk to create an artificial reef. Covered with coral and colonized by schools of barracuda, this wreck can be explored, but because of the strong current, this dive is for experienced divers. 

• - Max depth: 28 m (90 ft)
• - Dive time: 30 min à 40 min
• - Type of dive: Wreck
• - Difficulty: Difficult

Punta Venado (depth 35 m / 115 ft) :

This unfrequented reef is located south of Playa del Carmen, and gently falls between 25 and 35 m deep. Due to its low attendance, this protected site is rich in coral and sponge fauna typical of the Caribbean: moray eels, fish-safe, turtles, rays and sharks in the seasons .... 

• - Max depth: 35 m (115 ft)
• - Dive time: 30 min à 45 min
• - Type of dive: Drift
• - Difficulty: Medium

Cantil (depth 40 m and + / 120 ft et +) :

This dive site is the important first step between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. The upper wall is located approximately 40m deep. During this dive, you may encounter turtles sharks and other species typical of the Caribbean.

• - Depth: 40 m et + (120 ft et +)
• - Type of dive: Dérivante
• - Recommanded level diver: Experienced diver

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Non-divers can also marvel at the beauty of the seabed of Playa del Carmen hiking fins / mask / snorkel. Click here.