Explore Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a unique dive destination that offers interactions with pelagic species as well as reef-dwelling macrofauna through access to shallow and deep dive sites. Like all of the popular dive destinations that dot the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, the dive sites surrounding Isla Mujeres are on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is the second largest reef system in the world. The highlight of Isla Mujeres, however, is that whale sharks terminate their migratory path just off the northeast coast, which makes for a spectacular sight for those in the water.


Upcoming Events

Try Scuba

Try Scuba

Discover Scuba Diving in Isla Mujeres - Beginner-Friendly 2-Tank DiveReady to breathe underwater for the first time?Our Discover Scuba Diving program is designed for absolute beginners who want to experience scuba diving in a safe, fun, and unforgettable way - no certification required!What to Expect:Quick safety briefing and gear introduction on landShallow water training session with your instructor2-tank dive at beautiful reef sites or MUSA (Underwater Museum)Personal guidance throughout the entire experienceCalm, clear waters - ideal for first-time diversSchedule:Meeting time: 7:30 AMDeparture: 8:00 AMDuration: Approx. 3.5 to 4 hoursPrices:Discover Scuba Diving experience: $3,000 MXN per personIncludes instruction, 2 dives, full gear, boat, snacks, water, and guide.Book nowWhat's Included:Full scuba equipment (mask, fins, wetsuit, BCD, regulator, tanks)Instructor-led training & supervision2-tank dive (reef and/or MUSA)Bottled water, fruit, and snacksSmall groups (max 4 beginners per instructor)???? Meeting Point:Squalo Adventures Dive CenterHidalgo Av., Local C6, Plaza Isla Mujeres (downtown)Requirements:Minimum age: 10 yearsNo previous diving experience neededMust be comfortable in the waterNot suitable for people with heart or respiratory conditions.Book your Discover Scuba Diving tour now and take your first breath underwater with the experts at Squalo Adventures!

SQUALO ADVENTURES, SMZ 001 MZA 016 LOTE 005 AV. HIDALGO #026 LOCAL 31, INT.PLAZA ISLA MUJERES, COLONIA CENTRO, 77400, Isla Mujeres, QR, MEX
July 25, 2026 +110 More
$171.42
MX$3,000.00
Open Water Diver

Open Water Diver

Open Water Diver Course in Isla Mujeres - SSI CertificationReady to become a certified diver in paradise?At Squalo Adventures Dive Center, SSI Open Water Diver courses in Isla Mujeres - the most popular and recognized scuba certifications in the world.Learn in calm Caribbean waters, guided by expert instructors in small groups, and earn your certification to dive up to 18 meters (60 feet) anywhere in the world.Course Overview:Duration: 3 daysIncludes 5 theory modules (eLearning or classroom), shallow water skills, and 4 open water dives.SSI certificationAll dives done from a boat in ocean conditions.Maximum 4 students per instructorSuggested Itinerary (3 Days):Day 1: Confined Water Training8:00 AM - 11:00 AMLocation: shallow water area off Isla MujeresSkills practice, equipment introduction, safety proceduresDay 2: Open Water Dives 1 & 29:00 AM - 1:00 PMTwo dives at reef sites (max depth: 12m / 40ft)Day 3: Open Water Dives 3 & 49:00 AM - 1:00 PMTwo dives at reef or MUSA (max depth: 18m / 60ft)Certification awarded upon completion!Price:$10,000 MXN per personIncludes all materials, instruction, gear rental, 4 dives, snacks, and certification fees.Learning Materials Information:SSI Open Water Diver Course: All digital learning materials are included in the course price and accessible via the SSI app or website.What's Included:SSI learning materials (online or in-person)Full scuba gear (mask, fins, BCD, regulator, wetsuit, tanks)Confined water training4 open water boat divesCertified bilingual instructorCertification cardSnacks, fruit, and waterBoat transportation???? Meeting Point:Squalo Adventures Dive CenterAv. Hidalgo, Local C6, Plaza Isla Mujeres (downtown)Only 5 minutes from the ferry terminalRequirements:Minimum age: 10 yearsBasic swimming abilityGood general healthCompletion of medical questionnaireBook your Open Water Diver course today and become a certified diver in just 3 days with Squalo Adventures - your trusted dive center in Isla Mujeres.

SQUALO ADVENTURES, SMZ 001 MZA 016 LOTE 005 AV. HIDALGO #026 LOCAL 31, INT.PLAZA ISLA MUJERES, COLONIA CENTRO, 77400, Isla Mujeres, QR, MEX
July 25, 2026 +110 More
$571.39
MX$10,000.00

Dive Activity

Diving in Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is versatile in that it has reef-diving, wreck-diving, and drift-diving opportunities. The wrecks in this area are plentiful: remnants of the General Anaya, Hondureño, and El Pesquero are some of the many that can be explored.

Due to the proximity of all dive sites to either Isla Mujeres or Cancún, liveaboard dive boats do not operate in this region. Instead, local dive shops and dive resorts make frequent boat trips out to the area’s dive sites.

Dive Centers

Dive Sites

The best Months to dive in Isla Mujeres

If your main objective is to swim with whale sharks, May through September is the time to visit Isla Mujeres. This is when waters are warmest, so novice divers who prefer not to dive with a wetsuit should target this month as well. The wintertime is normally the most popular time to visit Isla Mujeres, since visibility is at its peak and encounters with other pelagic species are quite common.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Isla Mujeres

The main attraction of Isla Mujeres that inspires divers to travel from all over the world is the opportunity to swim with whale sharks. These magnificent and gentle giants are the largest species of shark, and they arrive off the northeast coast of Isla Mujeres between June and September every year as the final stop on their migratory path. These whale sharks can grow up to 13 meters/42.7 feet in length and can weigh more than 1,000 kilograms/2,205 pounds. Their size and feeding patterns (filter feeding) are what make them more like whales than sharks.

Aside from these majestic megafauna, a variety of reef-dwellers can also be found in the waters surrounding Isla Mujeres. Grouper, parrotfish, snappers, angelfish, trunkfish, grunts, wrasses, and blue tangs swim in and around the elkhorn, staghorn, and brain corals.

Eels can be found in the little cracks in the reef and under the overhangs. Other pelagic species that divers may come across include bull, nurse, gray reef, and blacktip sharks, Hawksbill sea turtles, and sailfish.

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

Barracuda

Barracuda

1.2k Sightings
J
102
F
71
M
83
A
96
M
81
J
145
J
140
A
99
S
76
O
81
N
96
D
92

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Moray Eel

Moray Eel

455 Sightings
J
41
F
8
M
44
A
29
M
43
J
60
J
56
A
19
S
28
O
53
N
49
D
25
Green Turtle

Green Turtle

372 Sightings
J
27
F
27
M
22
A
13
M
37
J
60
J
53
A
32
S
20
O
30
N
28
D
23
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle

297 Sightings
J
25
F
0
M
4
A
25
M
29
J
50
J
51
A
33
S
25
O
32
N
17
D
6
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle

202 Sightings
J
14
F
3
M
23
A
2
M
24
J
48
J
27
A
18
S
9
O
18
N
8
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray

76 Sightings
J
10
F
13
M
7
A
6
M
1
J
1
J
20
A
5
S
2
O
0
N
5
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

Wrasse

Wrasse

65 Sightings
J
11
F
4
M
14
A
5
M
0
J
2
J
13
A
4
S
0
O
10
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Angelfish

Angelfish

1.2k Sightings
J
109
F
59
M
86
A
79
M
99
J
149
J
143
A
92
S
77
O
83
N
98
D
97

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

Stingrays

Stingrays

1k Sightings
J
80
F
58
M
107
A
85
M
87
J
97
J
137
A
116
S
68
O
70
N
74
D
55

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

Parrotfish

Parrotfish

767 Sightings
J
69
F
34
M
60
A
63
M
73
J
98
J
87
A
78
S
45
O
61
N
56
D
43

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish

597 Sightings
J
71
F
32
M
36
A
40
M
22
J
63
J
70
A
56
S
29
O
46
N
63
D
69

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Pufferfish

Pufferfish

530 Sightings
J
53
F
23
M
34
A
31
M
41
J
70
J
51
A
48
S
28
O
44
N
61
D
46

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

Lionfish

Lionfish

490 Sightings
J
52
F
22
M
39
A
33
M
34
J
37
J
54
A
20
S
25
O
51
N
84
D
39

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster

409 Sightings
J
38
F
1
M
40
A
5
M
44
J
40
J
39
A
48
S
40
O
27
N
56
D
31

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish

402 Sightings
J
54
F
8
M
46
A
8
M
20
J
49
J
39
A
34
S
11
O
22
N
55
D
56

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts

393 Sightings
J
51
F
12
M
31
A
21
M
8
J
47
J
41
A
28
S
15
O
32
N
54
D
53

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Damselfish

Damselfish

336 Sightings
J
57
F
20
M
18
A
7
M
8
J
43
J
36
A
6
S
31
O
21
N
36
D
53

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 2

Nurse Shark

Nurse Shark

297 Sightings
J
12
F
24
M
28
A
29
M
14
J
34
J
47
A
31
S
21
O
10
N
29
D
18

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 55

Lobster

Lobster

237 Sightings
J
17
F
11
M
22
A
14
M
9
J
26
J
22
A
26
S
23
O
38
N
13
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

Boxfish

Boxfish

216 Sightings
J
34
F
10
M
24
A
2
M
0
J
17
J
19
A
14
S
8
O
4
N
45
D
39

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Jackfish

Jackfish

195 Sightings
J
42
F
5
M
18
A
4
M
5
J
19
J
9
A
13
S
0
O
7
N
32
D
41

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Goatfish

Goatfish

159 Sightings
J
14
F
3
M
27
A
5
M
22
J
35
J
28
A
12
S
5
O
6
N
2
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

Snapper

Snapper

146 Sightings
J
8
F
13
M
16
A
14
M
6
J
41
J
4
A
26
S
0
O
3
N
11
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

Triggerfish

Triggerfish

116 Sightings
J
13
F
1
M
19
A
12
M
9
J
19
J
0
A
29
S
2
O
11
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish

103 Sightings
J
16
F
1
M
2
A
2
M
0
J
18
J
17
A
13
S
4
O
8
N
17
D
5

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

Crab

Crab

103 Sightings
J
12
F
1
M
3
A
3
M
7
J
24
J
15
A
4
S
18
O
9
N
7
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Soldierfish

Soldierfish

70 Sightings
J
13
F
2
M
19
A
6
M
5
J
5
J
4
A
0
S
8
O
6
N
0
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish

67 Sightings
J
23
F
2
M
11
A
1
M
1
J
3
J
0
A
0
S
4
O
5
N
5
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 28

Clownfish

Clownfish

62 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
5
M
5
J
9
J
4
A
21
S
0
O
8
N
1
D
6

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 30

Stonefish

Stonefish

58 Sightings
J
9
F
3
M
7
A
16
M
2
J
4
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
2
N
4
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets

55 Sightings
J
5
F
3
M
3
A
0
M
2
J
8
J
0
A
17
S
1
O
8
N
4
D
4

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish

39 Sightings
J
5
F
3
M
13
A
1
M
1
J
4
J
6
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
0
D
3