How do I get to Banco Chinchorro?
To access Banco Chinchorro, you’ll first need to fly into Cancun International Airport or take a bus into the Riviera Maya region. Then, hop in a taxi, bus or rental car to either Xcalak or Majahual near the Belizean border. These are the two setting off points for day trips to the Banco Chinchorro atoll.
Where’s the best place to scuba dive in Mexico?
Mexico’s BEST DIVING SPOTS
- Isla Guadalupe – Thrilling Great White Shark Encounters at Guadalupe Island.
- Northern Sea of Cortez – Huge Diversity of Unique Marine Life.
- La Paz – Pelagics Galore.
- Cabo San Lucas & Cabo Pulmo – Diving and Snorkeling for Everyone.
- Chinchorro Banks – Unexplored Reef in Pristine Condition.
Where is Banco Chinchorro?
State of Quintana Roo
Located at the south-eastern tip of the State of Quintana Roo in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve encompasses within over 144,866 ha a mosaic of open water, sea grass beds, mangroves, sand beaches and coral reefs that is considered one of the most outstanding marine sites in the region.
How much does scuba diving in Mexico cost?
Dive Courses/ Instructions
| Regular Price | Online Price | |
|---|---|---|
| PADI Scuba Diver Course / Mex Incl. equipment, pool sessions, 2 open water dives (PIC & Crew Pack NOT included) | US$279.00 | US$251.10 |
| PADI Open Water Diver Course/ Mex Incl. 5 pool sessions, 4 open water dives, equipment (PIC & Crew Pack NOT included) | US$419.00 | US$377.10 |
Do you need a license to scuba dive in Mexico?
The best way to discover the wonders of marine life is scuba diving, but before strapping on an oxygen tank, divers in Mexico must be certified, which is a fairly straightforward process. Beginners must complete a basic level of training, which allows them to descend to certain depths, depending on weather conditions.
Is scuba diving in Mexico good?
The sheer variety of dive sites in Mexico makes it one of the best diving destinations in the world. From the tropical coral reefs of the Yucatan to picture-perfect islands around Baja California, there’s no shortage of fascinating things to see during your dive.
Is Mexico good for scuba diving?
The diving in Mexico is rich and diverse – from dramatic pinnacles surrounded by large pelagics in the Revillagigedos to gentle drifts dives over the coral gardens of Cozumel; from cage diving with great white sharks to exploring mysterious and beautiful freshwater caves hidden in dense jungle.
Is diving in Mexico safe?
Many people are afraid of scuba diving as some think it is some form of a dangerous sport. The truth, however, is that scuba diving is one of the safest of conventional sports. Incidence of injuries is far less likely to occur during Cancun scuba diving.
Is it safe to scuba dive in Cancun?
The truth, however, is that scuba diving is one of the safest of conventional sports. Incidence of injuries is far less likely to occur during Cancun scuba diving. More importantly, is that you must have undergone training to be a safe driver to be able to carry on Cancun scuba diving.
Are there sharks in Mexico waters?
It should be no surprise that Mexican waters have sharks, but you may not know that the chances of getting attacked are very slim. The odds are much greater that you will get hurt in the car on the way to the airport for the trip to Mexico than they are for getting hurt by a shark.
Where are the most sharks in Mexico?
Specific regions to visit include Tulum and Playa del Carmen where shark sightings are more frequent. Another very popular area to visit is the Isla Mujeres, a small island off Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, where one of the world’s largest aggregations of whale sharks can be found between June and September!
Do I need a wetsuit to dive in Cancun?
You shouldn’t need more than a 3mm wetsuit for diving in Cancun, no matter what time of year. The high season for diving is November-April when the weather is dry, but if you enjoy uncrowded Caribbean dive sites travel to Mexico between May and September.
Is Cancun shark infested?
Let’s put that right. The straightforward answer is yes there are indeed sharks in Cancun. But if you are concerned about being attacked by one, stop worrying right now! There are sharks in all Seas and Oceans except for the Dead Sea (too salty) and very few in the Arctic.
Do sharks swim close to shore in the Gulf of Mexico?
Great Hammerhead Shark The Great Hammerheads are seen in the Gulf of Mexico, but closer to shore in the areas around Panama City, the Scalloped Hammerhead is more commonly seen.
Where to dive in the Chinchorro?
There is some dive centre which can organise overnight trips staying in the village. The Chinchorro Bank is known to fishermen as ‘the ships graveyard’.
What is Banco Chinchorro?
Banco Chinchorro is the northern hemisphere’s largest atoll reef about 35km (21.7 miles) off the coast of Majahual. It is 40km (25 miles) long and 16km (10 miles) covering an area of 800km2. The area has three islands: Cayo Norte, Cayo Central and Cayo Lobos with a total of only 6.7km2 in land area.
What to expect when visiting Banco Chinchorro?
Not to mention the fact that as an offshore reef, a large animal encounter is always around the corner! Our dive and snorkeling trips to Banco Chinchorro include a stopover on Cayo Centro, a small island with a tiny community of resident fishermen who live there periodically throughout the year.
What makes Gran Muro Chinchorro a world class dive site?
At Gran Muro everything is a bit bigger than anywhere else in Chinchorro. You’ll swim past enormous barrel sponges, some of which are up to three metres tall, as well as beautiful giant yellow tube sponges, which grow to be thousands of years old. Of course, there is also a magnitude of marine life to be found making this a world class dive site.