With about a dozen dive sites, Akumal in Mexico’ Riviera Maya region is known for its proximity to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. These dive sites have something to offer for all experience levels, from shallow reef dives to deeper dives with swim-throughs and caverns. Surface water temperatures are balmy year-round, and visibility is generally superb. Most of the dive sites are protected from the heavy current of the open ocean, making this an ideal spot for novice or rusty divers. The deeper sites keep things interesting for more advanced divers, however. There are many reputable dive shops in Akumal and in the surrounding area of Riviera Maya, who schedule daily and in some cases twice-daily boat trips out to Akumal’s top dive sites. Since these sites are easily reached via speedboat, liveaboard dive boats are not common in this region.
While Akumal is best known for its reef-diving, there are a few wreck-diving and cave-diving sites in this area as well. For the adventurous folk who are more technically advanced, cenote-(or land-based collapsed cave-) diving is an option as well.
While there is no “best time of year” to dive in Akumal because of its stellar year-round conditions, many dive tourists opt to visit during the winter months because this is when pelagic species can be seen. On average, surface water temperatures during this window will vary between 25-28ºC/78-82ºF in Akumal.
The vibrant reefs at Akumal are chock-full of interesting organisms such as lobsters, stingrays, barracudas, groupers, sergeant majors, jaw fish, and other tropical fish. Nurse sharks are often found sleeping in tunnels and caverns throughout the reefs. Other common megafauna in this area include Loggerhead, Green, and Hawksbill sea turtles, who return to Akumal each summer to build nests and lay their eggs on the beach.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 27
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 25
