DIVING IN PUERTO MORELOS: HOME TO THE BEST PRESERVED SECTION OF THE MESOAMERICAN BARRIER REEF
Puerto Morelos is home to the best preserved section of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. This part of the second largest barrier reef in the world (also called Great Maya reef) is also closer to land in Puerto Morelos than anywhere else in Mexico. This is why diving in Puerto Morelos will blow your mind!!
Where is Puerto Morelos?
Puerto Morelos is conveniently situated at the north part of the Mayan Riviera, only 15 minutes away from Cancun International Airport..
Scuba diving in Puerto Morelos is great and very varied. The reef located off the shores of Puerto Morelos is part of a protected national marine park.
Puerto Morelos is a small fishing village and that’s the reason why local residents carefully and delicately preserve this reef that you find only a half kilometer from its coast. In fact, thanks to their efforts, it was declared a protected National Park in 1998. As a results of theirs efforts, you can find an endless variety of corals, turtles, lobsters, rays, local fish and even nurse and bull sharks. In winter, the currents bring entire families of eagle rays that, if you have never had the chance to see, will make you desire to stop time and have a cylinder that lasts forever. This is a habitat for over 2500 marine species (500 of which are tropical fish) as well as the C-56 Juan Escutia Wreck. A perfect spot for Scuba diving Puerto Morelos Mexico. You can also go snorkeling in the Riviera Maya from different beaches along the coast.
The best thing about diving in Puerto Morelos is that you don’t have to spend a long time in the boat as the reef is so close to the shore. It only takes an average of 15 minutes to get out to the first dive spot!
Reef & Juan Escutia C-56 Shipwreck
Fish Garden – Multiple colors and diverse fish inhabit this beautiful area of this shallow reef. About 30 ft maximum depth, decent line. Excellent site for novice divers, long bottom times and photography. Short boat ride, just 8 minutes from the Marina. You will see and swimm through a large navy minesweeper, a site teaming with aquatic life. Scuttled in October of 2000, this WWII era US Navy gun ship is now fully encrusted in coral growth. Home to sting rays, eels and barracuda. When in season, spotted eagle rays can be seen flying over the wreck. Schools of bait fish and their predators can often be seen. This is a must see for any wreck lover and a must see while diving in Puerto Morelos.
The Gardens is a wonderful site appropriately named for its lovely coral gardens and it is part of the national marine park, beautiful and easy diving in Puerto Morelos.
Puentes, a site with natural bridges and swim throughs where you can see eagle rays and all sorts of reef fish.
Mini Wall – Another shallow site of about 30 ft maximum depth. Large and interesting coral formations, man-made lobster homes and sometimes turtles sightings in the grass.
We cant forget also to recomend Cenote Dive in Puerto Morelos
Diving in cenotes is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You will get to explore natural sinkholes formed from limestone bedrock. As Tulum is famous for cenotes diving, in the RUTA DE LOS CENOTES in Puerto Morelos, there are 3 cenotes that will blow your expectations! Do not miss this scuba diving Puerto Morelos experience.
Cenote Zapote _ Cenote Zapote must be the world’s weirdest dive site. The cenote is best known for the geological formations found beneath the waters of the cenote. These stalactite formations developed for more than 11,000 years since the time that the cenote was submerged. It is known as the world’s weirdest dive site because the surface is nothing quite like what you will find underwater. The notable Hell’s Bells is the most popular rock formation you will encounter. The opening of the sinkhole from above is nothing like the size and depth of the Cenote Zapote. Once you dive, it opens up into a massive underwater cavern.
Cenote 7 bocas _ Sieta Bocas translated means the ‘Seven Mouths’. The cenote is named for the seven openings which are all connected by the cavern area underneath the roof. For diving enthusiasts, Cenote Siete Bocas is a great destination to go. But this dive site is limited only for advanced level divers. Cenote Siete Bocas is often called cenote “Milky Way” by those who have dived the site. The reason for this name is the gigantic Hydrosulfide cloud that appears in the water. Seven light beams enter through the roof and on a sunny day you can expect one amazing light show during your dive.
Cenote Maravilla _ Heaven for photographers and free divers, the cenote is a sinkhole with the shape of a bell, where the entrance is a hole in the middle of the top. The really thick sulfur cloud offers views that look from another planet… When the sun is high, it has one tremendous beam of bluish-green light penetrating the depths from the single hole in the cavern ceiling. Close to this cloud, you can observe the gorgeous living stalactites, the biothemes often called “Hell’s bells”. Those mysterious rock formations are alive and grow underwater thanks to very special endemic bacteria.
Come to dive to the Riviera Maya, come to dive to Puerto Morelos; as a diver it is definetly a spot you shouldnt miss.
And if you get your Wyndham Residence with Mayakaan, you will definetly would be able to combine your diving passion, with great deals discunts whiled your own residence keep producing you money without any effort!
