Explore Mahahual

Mahahual is a village on the east coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula that is about 300 kilometers/186 miles south of Caucún in the state of Quintana Roo. It is located near the main cruise ship port of the tourist region of Costa Maya, and is therefore subject to a large influx of tourists year-round.

Tourists visit Mahahual for its access to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System and the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. Mahahual is a great home base for divers who want to explore the stunning dive sites of Sian Ka’an, which is an area of protected land and ocean (including Mayan ruins and part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef) and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Among divers, the main attraction of this reserve is Banco Chinchorro, an atoll reef that is located just 30km offshore from Mahahual. It is known for its colorful reefs and majestic shipwrecks. Since Banco Chinchorro is technically part of the marine reserve, diving here must be done through a local reputable dive shop that has the correct permits. Liveaboard dive boats are not normally found in this region.

Aside from its proximity to this protected reef site, Mahahual is also close to some of this region’s many cenotes, or partially exposed underwater caves. Cenotes have great visibility, and the striking geologic formations found inside make for an exciting dive.

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    • Dive Activity

    Diving in

    Mahahual has reef-diving, drift-diving, and wreck-diving at offshore sites – Banco Chinchorro itself offers all three! Banco Chinchorro also caters to different experience levels; the protected side of the atoll is geared towards beginner and intermediate divers, whereas the exposed side that is subject to strong surf and current should only be dived by advanced divers.

    Cenote-diving is only a short drive from Mahahual and can also be tailored to the experience level of the divers. Diving in cenotes can range from easy, shallow (5m) dives in areas that are always illuminated by natural light, to technically challenging, deeper (15m) dives that require navigating through dark cave systems.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Mahahual

    As part of a protected area, Banco Chinchorro is home to healthy coral reefs and vibrant flora and fauna. Divers can expect to see lobsters, stingrays, groupers, angelfish, damselfish, and hundreds of other fish. Green, Hawksbill, and Loggerhead turtles are also frequently spotted in this area. If you’re lucky, you may come across a nurse shark relaxing in one of the tunnels and caverns that dot this underwater landscape.

    Cenotes are filled with brackish water, or a mixture of freshwater and salty seawater, which creates a unique ecosystem. Organisms such as cichlids, catfish, molly fish, tetras, and shrimp can be found swimming among the stalagmites in cenotes.

    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.: 25

    iStock/Juliosanjuan
    Eagle Ray

    Eagle Ray
    219 Sightings
    J
    22
    F
    32
    M
    33
    A
    12
    M
    18
    J
    4
    J
    10
    A
    26
    S
    14
    O
    10
    N
    27
    D
    11

    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

    Moray Eel
    200 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    8
    M
    30
    A
    22
    M
    6
    J
    13
    J
    23
    A
    43
    S
    6
    O
    10
    N
    21
    D
    16
    Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle
    94 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    28
    M
    13
    A
    10
    M
    16
    J
    0
    J
    17
    A
    0
    S
    10
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    0
    iStock-ShaneGross
    Loggerhead Turtle

    Loggerhead Turtle
    83 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    13
    A
    17
    M
    3
    J
    0
    J
    14
    A
    22
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    12
    D
    2
    Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle
    55 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    11
    M
    5
    J
    2
    J
    13
    A
    13
    S
    4
    O
    6
    N
    0
    D
    0

    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

    Wrasse
    37 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    4
    S
    25
    O
    4
    N
    3
    D
    0

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

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Barracuda

    Barracuda
    33 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    2
    M
    2
    J
    0
    J
    1
    A
    25
    S
    3
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    0

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

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    iStock/Extreme-Photographer
    Stingrays

    Stingrays
    348 Sightings
    J
    34
    F
    45
    M
    25
    A
    11
    M
    20
    J
    15
    J
    24
    A
    65
    S
    31
    O
    21
    N
    36
    D
    21

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

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    iStock-burnsboxco
    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish
    288 Sightings
    J
    30
    F
    23
    M
    19
    A
    10
    M
    0
    J
    5
    J
    38
    A
    56
    S
    37
    O
    31
    N
    21
    D
    18

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

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    iStock/cinoby
    Lionfish

    Lionfish
    286 Sightings
    J
    14
    F
    31
    M
    33
    A
    26
    M
    14
    J
    4
    J
    17
    A
    42
    S
    2
    O
    31
    N
    40
    D
    32
    Show More

    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

    Angelfish
    234 Sightings
    J
    29
    F
    26
    M
    18
    A
    2
    M
    10
    J
    6
    J
    25
    A
    39
    S
    11
    O
    23
    N
    27
    D
    18

    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

    Butterfly Fish
    217 Sightings
    J
    16
    F
    21
    M
    13
    A
    1
    M
    4
    J
    5
    J
    29
    A
    39
    S
    33
    O
    20
    N
    27
    D
    9

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

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    iStock-mirecca
    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish
    176 Sightings
    J
    14
    F
    11
    M
    10
    A
    1
    M
    0
    J
    5
    J
    27
    A
    38
    S
    30
    O
    24
    N
    16
    D
    0

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

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Alamy-Andre Seal
    Damselfish

    Damselfish
    110 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    2
    A
    1
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    20
    A
    33
    S
    25
    O
    22
    N
    5
    D
    2

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

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
    Boxfish

    Boxfish
    93 Sightings
    J
    25
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    1
    M
    5
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    26
    S
    15
    O
    15
    N
    6
    D
    0

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

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Shutterstock-aquapix
    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts
    89 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    1
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    13
    A
    25
    S
    25
    O
    21
    N
    4
    D
    0

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

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
    Goatfish

    Goatfish
    75 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    3
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    21
    A
    6
    S
    24
    O
    15
    N
    6
    D
    0

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

    Total number of species approx.: 55

    Shutterstock-RLS Photo
    Lobster

    Lobster
    73 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    2
    M
    12
    A
    8
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    8
    S
    3
    O
    14
    N
    11
    D
    15

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

    Total number of species approx.: 7000

    iStock-Michael Zeigler
    Crab

    Crab
    70 Sightings
    J
    13
    F
    0
    M
    8
    A
    2
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    8
    A
    11
    S
    8
    O
    0
    N
    7
    D
    13

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

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-wrangel
    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish
    65 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    18
    S
    23
    O
    16
    N
    5
    D
    2

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

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    Shutterstock-s_a_j
    Sand Eel

    Sand Eel
    44 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    9
    A
    11
    S
    14
    O
    9
    N
    0
    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

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster
    38 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    2
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    6
    A
    12
    S
    3
    O
    4
    N
    8
    D
    2

    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

    Pufferfish
    34 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    8
    M
    2
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    5
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    2
    O
    4
    N
    13
    D
    0

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

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-Hoatzinexp
    Jackfish

    Jackfish
    21 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    3
    A
    5
    S
    2
    O
    11
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The best Months to dive in Mahahual

    Diving in Mahahual is popular year-round. Surface water temperatures stay consistently warm and only cool slightly in the wintertime. Temperatures can range from 24°C/75°F in the winter to 29°C/85°F in the summer months. For the best visibility and best lighting in cenotes, May through November is the time to visit. To increase your chances of an encounter with pelagic megafauna, December through April is your best bet. 

    Dive Centers

    Doctor Dive

    Doctor Dive

    Avenida Mahahual manzana 12 lote 2 local 1, 77976 Mahahual, QR - Mexico
    MAR ADENTRO DIVING

    MAR ADENTRO DIVING

    Malecón de Mahahual S/N Blue Kay, 77976 Mahahual, QR - Mexico
    ALUX DIVERS

    ALUX DIVERS

    Malecon Esquina Calle Rubia, 77976 Mahahual, QR - Mexico
    Mahahual Dive Centre, Mahahual Expediciones S.A. de C.V.

    Mahahual Dive Centre, Mahahual Expediciones S.A. de C.V.

    Malecon entre calle Atun y Almeja Mza.22 Lote 2, 77976 Mahahual, QR - Mexico

    Buceando Mahahual, Moisés Machado Sánchez

    Av. Mahahual S/N Pargo Y Rubia, 77976 Mahahual, QR - Mexico

    Dive Sites

    Buceando Mahahual, 77976 Mahahual
    Acuario <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

    Acuario (★4.6)

    Shallow easy reef dive site. Maximum depth 13m. Mixture of sandy areas and reef. Ideal for Basic Diver and Open Water courses, also excellent training dive site with a large sandy area by the boat moooring line.
    MAR ADENTRO DIVING, 77976 Mahahual
    La China Nómada <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.7)</span>

    La China Nómada (★4.7)

    This site is born from the millenial growth of the coral reef, giving birth to taller walls and a wide and a narrow canyon where a shark sometimes comes to rest. Following the walls while hunting lionfish will lead you to two islands surrounded by big specimens of barrel sponges.
    MAR ADENTRO DIVING, 77976 Mahahual
    Simio Bipolar <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

    Simio Bipolar (★4.6)

    It is a group of coral islands on a flat sandy bottom. It is very appropriate for both very beginners and for Open Water divers as depth ranges from 9 meters/30 feet to 15 meters/50 feet. Visibility is usually more than 20 meters/65 feet and the abundance of fish on the coral islands is an admirable beauty.
    Mares, Predrag Vuckovic
    Mahahual Reef <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

    Mahahual Reef (★4.6)

    Mahahual Reef sits on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest reef system in the world and boasts crystal clear water, healthy coral, colorful sponges, and tons of reef life.