Question 1

When is the best time to dive in Cozumel, Mexico?

Accepted Answer

Cozumel is most reliable in the drier season, roughly November to May, when visibility often reaches {{ 20 | visibility:m }} to {{ 30 | visibility:m }} and water sits near {{ 25 | temperature }} to {{ 27 | temperature }}. December to March can bring nortes (cold fronts) that occasionally close the port, so build a buffer day. In summer (June to September) the water is warmer, but storms and sargassum can affect the experience. For classic drift walls, plan sites like [Santa Rosa Wall](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/mexico-santa-rosa-wall) and [Palancar Caves](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/mexico-palancar-caves).

Question 2

When is whale shark season in Mexico?

Accepted Answer

Mexico has two main whale shark windows. In the Mexican Caribbean (often accessed from Cancun and Isla Mujeres), the typical season runs June to September, with warm surface water at {{ 28 | temperature }} to {{ 30 | temperature }}. In Baja California Sur near La Paz, encounters are more common October to April, often in plankton-rich water where visibility can be {{ 10 | visibility:m }} to {{ 20 | visibility:m }}. Rules are strict and usually snorkel-only, so book a licensed operator, follow distance instructions, and expect weather cancellations.

Question 3

How do I plan a cenote cavern dive in Mexico?

Accepted Answer

Start by basing near [Tulum](https://divejourney.io/destinations/tulum-mexico) or [Playa del Carmen](https://divejourney.io/destinations/playa-del-carmen-mexico) and booking with a cenote-focused operator that matches routes to your training. Cenotes often stay around {{ 24 | temperature }} to {{ 26 | temperature }} with very calm water, but the overhead environment adds real risk. Bring your certification card, be honest about experience, and expect a detailed briefing on lights, lines, and buoyancy. For a gentler first step, ask about open or semi-open sites like [Casa Cenote](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/mexico-casa-cenote).

Question 4

How do I choose between Cancun and Cozumel for scuba diving?

Accepted Answer

Choose [Cozumel](https://divejourney.io/destinations/cozumel-mexico) if you want the best chance at classic drift walls and consistent reef quality. It is built around diving, with signature sites like [Palancar Gardens](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/mexico-palancar-gardens) and [Punta Sur](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/mexico-punta-sur). Choose [Cancun](https://divejourney.io/destinations/cancun-mexico) if you want easy mixed-group travel: quick reefs, training dives, wrecks like [Barco C-56](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/mexico-barco-c-56), and snorkeling at [MUSA Under Water Museum](https://divejourney.io/dive-spots/mexico-musa-under-water-museum). Many travelers do both by staying on the mainland and adding a few nights on the island.

Question 5

How do I get to Cozumel from Cancun?

Accepted Answer

Most travelers go Cancun to Cozumel via the mainland ferry. From Cancun, ride a shuttle or bus south to Playa del Carmen (about {{ 55 | distance:km }}), then take a passenger ferry to Cozumel. Ferries run frequently, but schedules can change with weather, especially during winter nortes. If you are staying in the Cancun Hotel Zone, add extra time for traffic and hotel pickups. Once on Cozumel, taxis are the easiest option to reach dive docks and hotels.

Question 6

What are the marine park rules for divers and snorkelers in Mexico?

Accepted Answer

Many top sites are inside CONANP-managed parks and reserves (Cozumel reefs, Puerto Morelos, Tulum, Cabo Pulmo, Banco Chinchorro). Expect access fees and rule briefings through your operator. Common rules include no touching coral, no collecting, no feeding, and using mooring buoys instead of anchoring on reefs. Wildlife encounters are regulated, so follow the guide and keep respectful distance, at least {{ 3 | distance:m }} from turtles and rays as a practical minimum. In cenotes, additional overhead and conservation rules apply.

Question 7

Do I need a wetsuit for diving in Mexico?

Accepted Answer

Most Caribbean diving in Quintana Roo feels warm, with typical water temps around {{ 25 | temperature }} to {{ 29 | temperature }} depending on season. Many divers are comfortable in light exposure protection, especially for repetitive dives. Baja California Sur can be much cooler at depth, with thermoclines and winter water that may feel closer to {{ 18 | temperature }} to {{ 22 | temperature }} on some days. If you get cold easily, pack warmer options or plan to rent locally. Always prioritize comfort, since chilling can increase fatigue and reduce focus.

Question 8

Is Mexico good for beginner divers?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but pick the right region and operator. Cancun-area reefs and wreck perimeters often suit new divers, with many sites in the {{ 6 | distance:m }} to {{ 18 | distance:m }} range and short boat rides. Cozumel can also work for beginners, but currents make it more demanding, so look for operators that offer slower sites and small groups. If you are newly certified, add a skills refresh on day one, practice buoyancy over sand, and save advanced experiences (bull sharks, seamounts, cenotes) for later.

Question 9

Where can I find hyperbaric chamber support in Mexico?

Accepted Answer

Hyperbaric care is most accessible in major tourist hubs, especially around Cozumel and the Cancun corridor, with additional facilities in larger coastal cities. Before you dive, ask your operator what chamber they coordinate with and how evacuations work from your specific sites. For remote zones like Cabo Pulmo, offshore seamounts, and Revillagigedo, response time can be longer, so conservative profiles and strong insurance matter. In an emergency, call local EMS first (911), then contact DAN for dive-medicine support.

Question 10

How should I plan around hurricanes and nortes in Mexico?

Accepted Answer

Hurricane exposure is seasonal on both coasts: the Atlantic basin runs June to November and the Eastern Pacific runs May to November. In these months, book refundable lodging when possible and build spare days into your schedule. On the Caribbean side, winter nortes (roughly November to March) can bring sudden wind and port closures, with gusts near {{ 25 | wind:kph }} to {{ 40 | wind:kph }} on rough days. The best strategy is a flexible itinerary that can pivot to cenotes, museums, or food tours when boats cannot run.

Month	Mexican Caribbean (Quintana Roo)	Baja / Sea of Cortez
Jan	25°C to 26°C	20°C to 22°C
Feb	25°C to 26°C	19°C to 21°C
Mar	25°C to 27°C	19°C to 21°C
Apr	26°C to 28°C	20°C to 22°C
May	27°C to 29°C	21°C to 24°C
Jun	28°C to 29°C	23°C to 26°C
Jul	28°C to 30°C	26°C to 29°C
Aug	29°C to 30°C	28°C to 30°C
Sep	28°C to 30°C	27°C to 29°C
Oct	27°C to 29°C	24°C to 27°C
Nov	26°C to 28°C	22°C to 25°C
Dec	25°C to 27°C	20°C to 23°C

Two oceans, cenotes, and big-animal seasons in one trip

Mexico's water regions (and why they dive differently)

Start here: the easiest hubs

Mexican Caribbean bases

Baja California Sur bases

What makes Mexico special underwater

Monthly water temperature cheat sheet (typical)

Itinerary ideas (steal these)

6 to 8 days: Caribbean classic

10 to 14 days: Two-coast sampler

8 to 10 days: Expedition mode

Activity highlights