This is everything you need to about scuba diving Punta Mita, Nayarit, Mexico
Punta Mita’s strategic location on the edge of Banderas Bay unveils a world beneath the waves where the rich mix of marine life dances among pristine waters. Punta Mita may have once been a secluded fishing village, but this exclusive enclave, now known for its luxurious resorts, top restaurants, surfing, and also harbors some of the most spectacular dive sites globally.
From the mystical caves of La Corbeteña to the vibrant reefs surrounding the Marietas Islands, Punta Mita promises encounters with majestic pelagics and kaleidoscopic coral gardens. Not to mention scuba diving also provides a great way to encounter unique experiences underwater during your trip to Punta Mita.
As an avid scuba diver for the last 19 years, TME Founder and editor-in-chief, Alexandra Wieteska has explored numerous underwater paradises in Mexico and the Banderas Bay.
In this feature, Alex shares her insider perspective on the best scuba diving sites in Punta Mita.
Best Time for Scuba Diving in Punta Mita
The warm waters of Banderas Bay are suitable for snorkeling and diving all year round. More specifically, the best time to scuba dive in Punta Mita essentially depends on what you want to see and each season brings its pros and cons.
Winter brings cooler water temperatures, dipping to around 72°F (26°C) in February, and reduced visibility due to plankton blooms. Sea conditions can also be unpredictable, with strong currents and winds potentially restricting access to some premium dive sites.
These conditions, though less clear, lure magnificent sea creatures like manta rays and sharks closer to the shores, offering unique sighting opportunities of potentially more hard-to-see species.
The summer months bring the rainy season, characterized by high humidity, warmth, and periodic showers. When it comes to diving the ocean temperature peaks, reaching about 85°F (30°C) in August and September, coupled with the best visibility of the year, makes it an appealing time for diving despite being off the peak season for general tourism.
For those wanting to see humpback whales too, the best time to visit is during the winter months from the end of November until March.
Read more: The Best Luxury Hotels in Punta Mita
What to Expect from Scuba Diving Punta Mita?
Under the crystalline waters of Punta Mita, divers are welcomed into a vibrant underwater world, brimming with life and color.
Punta de Mita, nestled on the northern tip of Banderas Bay, offers a unique marine ecosystem that thrives in the confluence of the cold currents from the deep and warm waters of the Mexican Pacific.
Here, the underwater terrain varies from gentle coral gardens to dramatic rock formations and steep wall dives, catering to every level of experience.
The visibility is generally excellent, providing clear windows to the diverse marine life that includes playful dolphins, majestic giant manta rays, and a kaleidoscope of tropical fish.
When it comes to what you might see, apart from potential manta rays and dolphins the area is also famous for sea turtles, moray eels, octopus and squid and nudibranchs.
As for fish, the coral reefs and rock formations are home to a dazzling array of tropical fish, including angelfish, pufferfish, Moorish idols, parrotfish, and schools of brightly colored surgeonfish and damselfish.
During the winter months, Humpback Whales migrate to the warm waters of Banderas Bay for breeding, offering a spectacular sight for divers and snorkelers or anyone on a boat close to where they might breach.
Read more: The Complete Guide to Punta Mita’s Beach Clubs
Where to Go for Scuba Diving in Punta Mita?
There are many sites for diving within the whole Puerto Vallarta and Banderas Bay area. While we’re focusing here on the ones within a short boat trip from Punta Mita, there’s Los Arcos, in the south of the Bay, a beautiful underwater mountain range that’s brilliant for both snorkeling and diving.
Las Caletas is another dive on the other side of the bay, an easy cover ideal for beginners but you can also see plenty of marine life here too.
Another popular site is El Chimo, named after the nearby fishing village in the south of the Bay this is another popular spot with a large drop-off where you can go whale watching- humpback whales, whale sharks, turtles and dolphins are often seen here, season permitting.
Note that while the above are great dive sites, they are far from Punta Mita and better accessed when staying in Puerto Vallarta, Mismaloya or even Yelapa, on the other side of the bay.
El Morro
El Morro is one of the Banderas Bay’s premier dive sites. This spot has some pretty incredible caves and underwater pinnacles, a bustling hub for an array of marine life, including the ever-graceful Moorish idols, sea turtles, various species of bass and grunts, and the vibrant wrasse.
Moreover, it occasionally plays host to majestic pelagic visitors like whale sharks, oceanic mantas, sailfish, dolphins, and dense schools of jacks. It’s also known as the place to potentially spot Moray eels.
El Morro is tailored for the more seasoned diver. Within the cave, the granite surroundings come alive with a rich tapestry of marine invertebrates, from sea fans and corals to sponges, alongside a diverse assortment of crabs, shrimp, nudibranchs, and octopuses, making it an underwater spectacle not to be missed.
Los Anegados, Marietas Islands
Often chosen as the second dive of the day following an initial dive at El Morro, Los Anegados offers a compelling shallow dive at the bay’s periphery.
Los Anegados, a submerged rock formation, lies strategically positioned between El Morro and the Marieta Islands. Starting at a depth of approximately 30 feet below the surface, this dive site is renowned for its fascinating caves and unique rock formations.
The site features a rocky descent at around 30 feet, unveiling an intriguing undersea landscape. Along the bottom of the sandy seabed, divers might be able to spot nurse sharks, making this one of the most popular, more shallow dives for amazing scuba diving Punta Mita.
Marietas Islands
The Marietas Islands or Islas Marietas, situated a short 20-minute boat journey from Punta de Mita are a secluded pair of uninhabited islands off the North Coast of Banderas Bay.
Birthed from ancient volcanic activity, these islands are a UNESCO biosphere reserve (in large part thanks to Jacques Cousteau and his conservation efforts here) and due to their vibrant and rich ecological significance and are one of the best spots for diving in Punta Mita.
They mark the beginning of an underwater mountain range that stretches towards more distant diving spots like El Morro and La Corbeteña.
Encircled by the protected waters of a National Park, the Marietas Islands offer divers a sanctuary teeming with marine life. The dive sites around the islands are a showcase of natural underwater architecture, featuring an impressive array of descent profiles, reef tunnels, and caves that are home to a myriad of tropical fish.
At certain times of the year, the chances of spotting giant oceanic mantas are exceptionally high.
La Redonda, or Round Island, presents divers with three mesmerizing swim-through tunnels and a vertical wall at its southern edge, plunging about 100 feet ( 30m) deep.
After from diving you can also head to the hidden beach- a spectacular beach surrounded by cave walls with an opening at the top.
La Corbeteña
La Corbeteña, also known as La Piedra, sits west of Punta Mita and is famed for its pelagic life and crystal-clear waters with visibility often beyond 100 feet. This exquisite site, a 30 minute’s boat ride away, features caves, walls, steep arches and other volcanic formations adorned with barnacle-encrusted walls teeming with marine life.
Suitable only for experienced divers due to strong currents, diving here is restricted to summer. Depths range from 40 to 147.6 feet, offering a top-tier reef diving experience.
Who to Go With
You’ll find many scuba diving outfitters around the Banderas Bay with the most in Puerto Vallarta and Sayulita. If you’re staying in Punta Mita, and not wanting to go too far, first enquire at your hotel or resort.
Four Seasons Punta Mita and St Regis Punta Mita Resort, both have their diving outfitters or are well-connected to experts in the area, offering guests a seamless and hassle-free experience.
Outside of your hotel, Punta Mita Expeditions are who to go with. This super-experienced dive operation offers PADI Scuba certification and courses, diving equipment and of course a variety of dives at various local dive sites for certified divers or advanced divers.
Their certified guides know the area like no one else here ensuring the highest chances for marine sightings and a memorable dive experience. They can also advise on the best dive locations based on your preferences.
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