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Playa del Carmen is located in the Riviera Maya, Mexican Caribbean and its reefs are part of the second largest barrier reef in the world.
The Gulf Stream runs along the coast, from the South to the North, generating currents usually moderate (1-2 knots) that allow divers to drift gently along the reefs. The intensity and direction of the current may change from one location to the other (currents are usually stronger on the deeper dives) and with the weather conditions, seasons and the moon cycle.
The average year-round water temperature varies between 25ºC / 77ºF in the winter months and 30ºC / 86ºF in summer.
Visibility varies from 20m / 60ft to 30m / 90ft, depending on weather and ocean conditions.
For safe diving it is important to dive conservatively, within recreational dive limits, ascent slowly, make a safety stop after every dive and respect the no-fly time. In Playa del Carmen there is a fully equipped hyperbaric chamber with professional hyperbaric-certified physicians to respond to the medical needs of the divers.
In order to protect and preserve the reefs, it is not allowed to stand on or hold onto the corals, or collect any marine organism.
Playa del Carmen Reefs
We can reach the dive sites of Playa del Carmen by our speed boats after a short navigation (5 to 20 minutes). A typical diving excursion consists of a half day trip during which we visit two different reefs. Usually the deeper dives are done in the morning hours, while the afternoon dives are shallower.
Cerebros is the most northern dive site in Playa del Carmen and has got this name from the many brain corals (corales cerebro, in Spanish) along the reef. The coral formation has many passages to swim through and offers shelter to lobsters, crabs and moray eels. The maximum depth is 14m / 46ft, perfect as a second dive after Los Arcos.
Los Arcos is a beautiful deep dive (max. 30m / 100ft) whose wall has two arches (Arcos) and is covered by hard corals, sponges and sea fans. While drifting with the often strong current we can see turtles, great barracudas, stingrays and schools of jack fishes; during the winter time it is also possible to see bull sharks and other large animals. Due to the depth and often strong current this dive is recommended for experienced divers only.
Another deep dive (28m / 92ft) is Pared Verde (Green Wall). At the beginning of the dive there are small walls divided by sandy areas and advancing through the reef becomes a wall rich of marine life with crabs, lobsters and turtles. Great barracudas and stingrays are other inhabitants of this reef.
In Moc-Che Deep you will likely discover a large diversity of corals and sponges on the wall which is home for lobsters, moray eels, crabs, and it is very common to see turtles, schools of jack fishes, stingrays, groupers, and great barracudas. In the wintertime it is possible to find bull sharks crossing the reef. The maximum depth is 30m / 100ft, recommended for advanced divers.
Moc-Che Shallow (13m /43 ft) has a very impressive amount of flora and fauna for all divers to enjoy like shrimps, crabs, scorpion fishes, stingrays, spotted and green moray eels. At the end of the reef you'll find a little arch, which normally is home for grunts and snappers.
Chun-zumbul is the longest reef in the area. In the middle part of the reef you'll find the most interesting part with sea fans and coral overhangs. Its mild currents and shallow bottom (maximum depth is 10m / 33ft) makes this dive perfect for novice divers and night dives.
Jardines (Gardens) takes its name from the coral garden, rich in sponges, soft corals and sea fans. Along the edges there are small overhangs where crabs, scorpion fishes, spotted and green moray eels congregate. A variety of tropical fish schools can be found on top of the reef. Maximum depth is 12m /40 ft and current from moderate to none, excellent conditions for taking photographs.
Sabalos is named after the schools of Sabalos (Tarpons), the peaceful big fishes that can be seen here in the winter months. Following the edge of the reef allows you to enjoy the dive at its best. There are small crevices, mini tunnels and overhangs which provide shelter to crabs, lobsters, moray eels, grunts and snappers. It is very easy to find turtles that are peacefully eating on the reef and surrounded by colorful fishes. The maximum depth of this reef is 14m / 46ft and current is often strong.
Tortugas (turtles)is the most visited dive sites in Playa del Carmen because of the large amount of Hawksbill turtles living there. The bottom (from 16m/53ft to 40m/132ft) is relatively flat, covered by barrel sponges, hard and soft corals; marine life is consistent: moray eels, stingrays, barracudas, big parrot fishes, snappers and in the summer time a large school of huge tarpons. Do not miss it!!
We can compare the shape of Barracuda reef to the fingers of a hand. Drifting along enjoy the inhabitants of the reef, especially where overhangs offer shelter from the current, giving photographers and divers the chance to appreciate the abundance of marine life like crabs, lobsters, moray eels, grunts and other tropical fishes. The maximum depth is 13m / 39ft.
The Wreck Mama Viña was sunk in 1995 to create a new interesting dive site. The former shrimp boat lies on a sandy area at 27m / 89ft and it is covered by soft and hard corals offering refuge to an abundant marine life. Barracudas, stingrays, moray eels and jack fishes are common inside and around this ship. Penetration in the deck and rooms is safe, as well as exit, but due to the depth and strong current divers must be very experienced.
Punta Venado is the southern dive site in Playa del Carmen. The reef is dotted with beautiful coral formations and it is possible to find a large variety of marine life like nurse sharks, bull sharks, sting rays, turtles, schools of tarpons and jack fishes. The maximum depth is 33m / 100ft, only for experienced divers.
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