Acapulco
Acapulco is a beach resort town and major port city located on Mexico’s Pacific (west) coast, in t
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Explore Guerrero
Guerrero is one of Mexico’s 31 states and is located on the southwest coast. It is best known for the tourist hubs of Acapulco and Zihuatanejo, which are about 200 kilometers/124.3 miles from each other. Both cities are located on a bay, with great diving opportunities both inside and just outside of the bay.
Acapulco is a beach resort town and major port city. Less than 500 meters/1,640.4 feet offshore near the mouth of Acapulco Bay is the island of La Roqueta, which is home to many popular dive sites.
Zihuatanejo used to be a small fishing village, but has since developed into the third most-visited area of Mexico. The main attractions of this area is sportfishing, birdwatching, and scuba diving.
The protected bays of both cities are an ideal environment for beginner divers to go reef- and wreck-diving. Farther offshore, there are deeper dive sites that allow more advanced divers to go wall-, drift-, and cave-diving.
Both nearshore and offshore dive sites are accessible mostly by boat, and shore diving is limited. Local dive shops run daily trips to sites, ocean conditions-permitting. None of the dive sites are so far from shore that a liveaboard dive boat is necessary.
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Diving in Guerrero
Guerrero, a coastal gem in Mexico, offers an array of dive sites that cater to both novice and seasoned divers. One of the standout sites is the wreck of a WWII ship near Zihuatanejo, providing an intriguing glimpse into history while surrounded by vibrant marine life. For those interested in shore dives, Ixtapa offers easily accessible spots with coral gardens teeming with fish.
Unique experiences like night dives reveal the nocturnal behaviors of sea creatures, offering divers a thrilling alternative to daytime excursions. While shore dives are abundant, liveaboard options allow explorers to reach remote sites, ensuring a balanced diving adventure in Guerrero. Whether you're drawn to the mysteries of wrecks or the simplicity of shore dives, Guerrero promises an unforgettable underwater journey.
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The best Months to dive in Guerrero
Guerrero offers year-round diving opportunities with diverse conditions across the seasons. Water temperatures typically range from 24–30°C/75.2–86°F, with warmer waters from June to October. Visibility can vary, generally falling between 12 and 30 meters/39.4 and 98.4 feet, providing excellent conditions for divers during most of the year.
Seasonal weather patterns, such as the rainy season from June to September, may affect diving with increased runoff impacting visibility. Windy conditions are more prevalent from November to February, potentially affecting surface conditions and currents. While diving is possible throughout the year, the ideal time is during the dry season from November to May when conditions are generally more stable and predictable.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Guerrero
Guerrero, located on Mexico's Pacific coast, offers a rich array of marine life, especially around areas like Acapulco and Zihuatanejo. Divers can expect to encounter common reef fish such as angelfish, butterflyfish, and parrotfish throughout the year. These vibrant species dwell in the coral reefs, providing a colorful spectacle for underwater enthusiasts.
Seasonal highlights include the presence of whale sharks, typically seen from December to April, offering an awe-inspiring experience for divers. Turtle sightings are common from June to September, coinciding with their nesting season, while rays, including manta rays, are more frequently encountered during the warmer months. The diversity and seasonal shifts in marine life make Guerrero a captivating destination for diving adventures.
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.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
1.3k Sightings
J
82
F
105
M
133
A
113
M
110
J
31
J
153
A
137
S
80
O
95
N
123
D
164
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
631 Sightings
J
36
F
37
M
30
A
20
M
31
J
16
J
93
A
107
S
61
O
44
N
64
D
92
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
593 Sightings
J
35
F
37
M
26
A
55
M
40
J
24
J
77
A
89
S
52
O
32
N
81
D
45
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
337 Sightings
J
18
F
4
M
35
A
33
M
47
J
10
J
71
A
53
S
14
O
7
N
20
D
25
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
168 Sightings
J
3
F
7
M
14
A
9
M
27
J
7
J
25
A
32
S
8
O
15
N
12
D
9
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
72 Sightings
J
2
F
7
M
4
A
15
M
6
J
4
J
6
A
9
S
12
O
0
N
0
D
7
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish
1.7k Sightings
J
124
F
126
M
149
A
155
M
157
J
65
J
187
A
182
S
133
O
117
N
161
D
187
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 20
iStock-stephankerkhofs
Porcupinefish
1.4k Sightings
J
90
F
86
M
136
A
118
M
151
J
54
J
189
A
141
S
109
O
94
N
112
D
156
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
1.3k Sightings
J
74
F
65
M
128
A
98
M
116
J
56
J
164
A
126
S
84
O
120
N
135
D
115
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
1.2k Sightings
J
60
F
62
M
109
A
59
M
83
J
63
J
144
A
141
S
99
O
103
N
134
D
137
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2 Tank Boat Dive for Certified Divers
Scbua Diving for Certified Divers by boat to the Island Roqueta including Dive Guide and rental equipment
Show Offer
SSI Nudibranch Specialty Course
Learn and earn online or combine with a nudibranch diving tourNudibranch Ecology
Show OfferSSI Advanced Open Water Diver
Try 5 Adventure dives from the Specialty courses and earn the Advanced Open Water. You still can complete the full specialty later on.
Show Offer
2 Tank Boat Dive for Certified Divers
Scbua Diving for Certified Divers by boat to the Island Roqueta including Dive Guide and rental equipment
Show Offer
SSI Nudibranch Specialty Course
Learn and earn online or combine with a nudibranch diving tourNudibranch Ecology
Show Offer
2 Tank Boat Dive for Certified Divers
Scbua Diving for Certified Divers by boat to the Island Roqueta including Dive Guide and rental equipment
Show OfferSSI Advanced Open Water Diver
Try 5 Adventure dives from the Specialty courses and earn the Advanced Open Water. You still can complete the full specialty later on.
Show Offer