Acapulco
Explore GuerreroGuerrero is one of Mexico’s 31 states and is located on the southwest coast. It is
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.
Places to explore
Dive Activity
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.
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: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
991 Sightings
J
65
F
76
M
85
A
83
M
80
J
23
J
115
A
103
S
58
O
83
N
102
D
118
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 25
iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray
399 Sightings
J
26
F
21
M
24
A
8
M
20
J
5
J
47
A
70
S
35
O
28
N
52
D
63
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
397 Sightings
J
23
F
16
M
7
A
32
M
29
J
17
J
51
A
61
S
46
O
21
N
64
D
30
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
234 Sightings
J
11
F
6
M
19
A
16
M
31
J
7
J
48
A
46
S
13
O
4
N
17
D
16
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
113 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
8
A
3
M
28
J
3
J
15
A
21
S
3
O
13
N
10
D
8
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish
1.3k Sightings
J
92
F
92
M
108
A
114
M
123
J
39
J
148
A
130
S
87
O
99
N
132
D
128
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 20
iStock-stephankerkhofs
Porcupinefish
1.1k Sightings
J
72
F
54
M
97
A
85
M
117
J
38
J
140
A
103
S
77
O
87
N
92
D
105
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
934 Sightings
J
52
F
41
M
85
A
70
M
87
J
38
J
122
A
90
S
59
O
100
N
110
D
80
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
875 Sightings
J
39
F
40
M
79
A
47
M
67
J
42
J
106
A
94
S
67
O
89
N
111
D
94
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 350
Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish
761 Sightings
J
43
F
32
M
63
A
82
M
82
J
39
J
116
A
84
S
40
O
45
N
77
D
58
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.
