Akumal Dive Sites

Mexico’s Caribbean scuba diving sites are waiting for you in Akumal;  come and enjoy them with The Akumal Dive Shop.  Great Ocean Dives in Akumal, shallow or deep dives, what a better way to enjoy scuba diving!   Boat rides are only 7 minutes from shore!!!

Akumal´s dive sites are ideal to expand your diving knowledge and continue your education. Many features make the Akumal Dive Shop the best option during your next visit to the Riviera Maya. Most of our dives sites are very close from shore so boat rides are minimum with an average of 7 minutes; the year round conditions on the coral reef barrier are excellent for the introduction of new techniques; a water temperature range between 80-90 F, visibility range between 40-100ft, soft easy currents and calm seas most of the year.   This combination allow us to run dives an average of 300 days a year. Free descends and drift dives are the common way to dive in Akumal Reefs.

With different depth ranges, divers of any skill level can easily adapt to Akumal´s waters. The Akumal barrier reef has 4 strips at different depths; each of them suited for divers with different diving skills. The first strip is perfect for those who have never done SCUBA before or have little experience as it has a maximum depth of 45ft and an average of 35ft; the second one is ideal for those who are “seasonal” divers with depths between 50 to 70ft and for experience divers a strip of coral canyons with depths between 80 to 120ft. The Akumal reefs also have a perfect strip for those divers who want to challenge their dive limits (recreational tech divers) with a strip that runs from 80 to 180ft. And for those who love deep mix gas diving there is a wall with depths between 180 to 300ft. Akumal is the only destination in the Riviera Maya with these distinctive features for every level of training and experience.

SHALLOW SITES

CUEVAS DE TIBURONES: Meaning “shark caves” in Spanish, this site is named for the intriguing reef overhangs that have made a popular sleeping spot for nurse sharks. Under these structures you can also find familiar fish that have made this site their  permanent residence. With a maximun depth to 30 feet, bottom times can be extended to an hour or longer.

LAS REDES: This 40′ to 60′ site was named by the original explorers of the Akumal reef for the giant commercial fishing net that was found blanketing it. Now, the net has been removed, but the marine life still abounds. Las Redes is known for the abundant marine life, schooling fish, barracudas, stingrays, lobsters and when you’re lucky, turtles.

DICK’S REEF: This site was named after Old Dick, the now retired former owner of The Original Akumal Dive Shop. At 40′ to 50′ this is the most topographically diverse dive site in Akumal with coral structures that reach 20′ from the bottom to interspersed islands of coral in the sand. For you brave divers, ask Divemaster Condor to take you through the channels that cut under and through the reef. These short tunnels can sometimes bring encounters with sleeping nurse sharks and hunting barracuda, so, keep your pacemaker powered up!

MOTORCYCLE REEF: At the shallow end of this 50′ to 60′ dive site, lying in the sand, is a 15 year old, coral overgrown motorcycle where you can always find schools of feeding fish, arrow crabs, and southern rays. This reef is laced with a large variety of soft corals, which makes it a good spot to see feeding turtles.

YAL-KU: Situated directly in front of Yal-ku Lagoon, this shallow dive site (20′-50′) is the most famous feeding site around, due to its constant flow of nutrients in and out of the lagoon. Under the extensive and climbing Elkhorn coral structures, there are various tunnels to swim through. Don’t be surprised to see more lobster here than you can count.

DEEP SITES

TZIMIN-HA: This 80′-90′ site was named after the one and only “wreck” in Akumal; the 20′ fishing boat that has since become an indistinguishable pile of boards with a window frame. Tzimin-Ha’s colorful reef fingers are home to a variety of fish of all shapes & sizes. Occasionally, a large jew fish or grouper will check you out while you’re admiring the profuse sponges which cover this reef.

TRIGGER FISH: 60-100 ft. This special site is a favorite deep dive of local residents. Widely separated coral patches make homes for a large variety of tropical fish not found at most other sites. The white sandy background brilliantly brings out the colors of the coral patches.

GONZALO’S REEF: 60-80 ft. Only a 4 minute boat ride directly in front of the Dive Shop, this site is decorated by large, vivid reef fingers. You are guaranteed to see Hawksbill, Green, and Loggerhead turtles here feeding, playing, and checking out the visiting divers.

XAAK: This 60-90 ft. dive site, located about 15 minutes north, is a very special dive. Reef fingers reach up to 30 feet from the sea floor. Turtles, nurse sharks, rays, and a bright spectrum of fish are common sightings here. Ask Divemaster Luis to take you on his half day, 2 tank Xaak excursion, including a surface interval at Yalkuito´s calm lagoon.

If this activity is of interest to you, please contact us and we will be delighted to answer any additional questions you may have and assist you in the best possible way we can.

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