Liveaboard Diving in Mexico
Take the plunge into Mexico's spectacular Cenotes, climb into a cage for a personal encounter with a great white shark or swim among a school of humpback whales.
Liveaboard diving in Mexico is extremely popular with divers looking to encounter large pelagics. Deciding to join a liveaboard trip in Mexico means you will visit some of the most spectacular dive sites and areas on the west side of Mexico. These dive sites focus more on the impressive marine life you will see and less on highly colorful reefs, but when you see the marine life there, you will have no time to realize that there is no colorful reef as a backdrop. The Mexico dive cruises that liveaboard.com offers go to three areas: the islands of Socorro, the Sea Of Cortez, and Guadalupe.
Numerous Mexico liveaboards are available via Liveaboard.com, which visit these dive sites. The boats vary in length and number of passengers. There are also different amounts of nights you can go, starting from a 5-night, 6-day trip up to a 10-night, 11-day trip. Each liveaboard is unique, with additional features and/or expenses. Whether you want a luxury liveaboard or a more budget-friendly cruise, please read all the information before booking.
Sailing in Mexico, most trips depart from two different cities, either Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo, both located in the south of Baja California. Most of the dive cruises depart at night, around 9 pm as it will take some time to get to the Socorro islands, located 400 km from the Mexican mainland. Some do leave in the morning, so please check this thoroughly. Once you arrive at the first destination you will first do a check dive with the staff, so that they get to know you as a diver and also to get you into the ‘groove’ of things. These dives will also help the captain and staff choose the most suitable dive sites for the trip. Depending on the weather and itinerary, divers aboard a Mexico dive liveaboard can expect to do 3 to 4 dives per day, except for departure and return days.
All itineraries are subject to change depending on the divers and the weather; it will always be the Captain's final choice, and safety is always the main priority.
Dive Sites And Areas In Mexico
SOCORRO: This spectacular area has four islands to keep divers entertained, a group of four volcanic islands called the Revillagigedo Archipelago, otherwise known as the Socorro Islands. This is a paradise for many large species of Pelagic species, including many species of sharks, Humpback whales, and dolphins, and they are also known for the many large Manta Rays. The visibility in this area varies from 15-50m (49-164ft), and water temperatures range from 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) up to 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit). They are part of a protected biosphere reserve, and many conservation organizations are working around here to preserve the unique wildlife that inhabits and passes here.
SEA OF CORTEZ: The Sea of Cortez has many different dive sites and also provides divers with incredible marine wildlife encounters. One of the dive areas, La Paz, is best known for the extremely large schools of Hammerheads, which roam here during winter and autumn. Another dive area, Cabo Pulmo, is one of the few coral reefs in this area; a colorful and thriving reef that inhabits more than 6000 marine species, with generally great visibility this is the spot for some colorful underwater photography.
When To Go
Mexico is an all-year-round diving destination but the best times to go depends on the marine wildlife and their presence at the dive sites. Socorro has the calmest seas from November to May, with the waters being around 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) in November, 21 degrees Celsius (69 degrees Fahrenheit) in February, and back up to 25 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) in May. These winter months also bring the primary spectacles: thousands of humpback whales that come here to breed and many manta rays. The visibility here depends solely on the plankton in the water which depends on the moon, but in general, the visibility is excellent.
The best months to dive in Guadalupe are August to October, with the best visibility to see the many rowdy male sharks around during this time. Still, the waters here are colder, about 20 degrees, so a wetsuit is important. If Hammerheads is what you hope to see, then September and October are the best months to go.
NOTE: In January 2023, the Mexican government banned Great White Shark-Related Tourism on Guadalupe Island to protect and preserve the delicate marine ecosystem and the endangered Great White Shark population. By limiting tourism activities in the region, the authorities aim to reduce disturbances to the sharks' natural behaviors and habitats, ensuring their long-term survival and promoting sustainable eco-tourism practices.
Tips For Travellers
Each liveaboard has its minimum dive experience level. Most expect to have your Advanced Open Water with at least 50 logged dives, but a few only need you to have your Open Water and no minimum logged dives. Please always check this before booking, and it is essential to remember your dive logs/logbooks.
The primary language is Spanish; however, English is widely spoken all around the country and on the liveaboards. The currency is the Mexican Peso, and you can easily exchange all popular currencies such as US dollars and Euros etc.
The plug is the same as the US: two flat prongs with the standard voltage being 127V. Please remember to bring an adaptor for all your electrics if you are not coming from the US.
How To Get There
There are two ports from which the liveaboards depart: Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. These are both cities in Baja California and located in the most Southern municipality, Los Cabos. You will most likely fly into Los Cabos International Airport, which has flights from the United States, Canada, and other Mexican Cities. Both cities have their ports from which the liveaboards will depart.
Considerations
It is important to note that there are potentially extra costs for these trips, such as port taxes, marine park fees, crew gratuities, dive equipment rental (if you do not have your own), and Nitrox. Each liveaboard differs, so please check this before booking. It is important to know that you will require insurance for your trip.
To get into Mexico, you must have a passport valid for at least six more months after arrival and a return flight. The large majority of nationalities can receive a tourist visa on arrival.
Please see your doctor to know which vaccinations might be needed before traveling.
Mexico Diving Reviews
- 9.1 Superb
- 7.6 Good
- Paulo Jose Costal P
- Mexico
Interesting Marine life, no crowded with divers
Diving Mexico in July on the Rocio del Mar
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Deborah T
- United States
Excellent diving for pelagic! Don't blink, you will miss something!
Diving Mexico in June on the Nautilus Explorer
- 10.0 Exceptional
- BRENDA FERNANDA D
- Mexico
It was unbelievable, so many sea creatures who were so curious and interactive with the diver, amazing!
Diving Mexico in June on the Nautilus Belle Amie
- 8.8 Fabulous
- Victoria L
- France
Amazing dives. We saw: school of hammerheads, plenty of black and white tip sharks, dolphins, Galapagos, dusky and silky sharks and also two tiger sharks, Mantas, other rays
Diving Mexico in April on the Valentina
- 9.2 Superb
- Roger T
- United States
The diving is great. I was somewhat put off by the very high per day park fees that were required to be paid in cash
Diving Mexico in April on the Valentina
- 10.0 Exceptional
- Heimke M
- Germany
Mexico must do for diver
Diving Mexico in February on the Valentina
- 7.6 Good
- Charles M
- Switzerland
See of Cortez seems to be a great place to dive, but by far not guaranted because of the visibility under water. Enjoyed a lot the diving with the see lions in La Paz (Dive in LaPaz)!
Diving Mexico in January on the Nautilus Explorer
- 9.6 Exceptional
- Sophie N
- Switzerland
Excellent. People were so friendly and the Baja peninsula is beautiful!
Diving Mexico in September on the Nautilus Belle Amie
- 9.2 Superb
- Andrew G
- United States
Mexico is the most amazing country for a diver. So much diversity, something for everyone
Diving Mexico in September on the Quino el Guardian
- 7.2 Good
- Sven B
- Germany
Unfortunately a max dive time of 50 min No current check before the dive
Diving Mexico in August on the Valentina
See all liveaboards from $2,800 to $5,095 per trip