Punta Mita
Punta Mita is a peninsula at the northern end of Banderas Bay, or Bahía de Banderas, which faces th
© iStock-647859046
Explore Nayarit
Nayarit is one of Mexico’s 31 states and is located on the west coast, nestled between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains to the east. Nayarit includes the Marías islands, which are located about 100 kilometers/62.1 miles offshore. The Marietas Islands are about 8 kilometers/5 miles southwest of the well-known exclusive resort community of Punta Mita, located in the southernmost part of Nayarit. These islands are at the mouth of Banderas Bay, or Bahía de Banderas, and as a protected wildlife sanctuary, is a popular scuba diving destination.
Ocean conditions are calmest in this region from November through March, making it a good time to visit. This is also when pelagic species such as manta rays, whale sharks, and humpback whales can be spotted.
Top Regions to Explore
Dive Activity
Diving in Nayarit
Nayarit, a coastal gem in Mexico, offers diverse diving experiences, making it a paradise for dive enthusiasts. The Marietas Islands, a popular destination, boast vibrant reefs and teeming marine life. Here, divers can explore underwater caves and spot manta rays and sea turtles, providing a thrilling shore dive experience.
For wreck enthusiasts, the La Corbeteña dive site offers intriguing exploration opportunities with its sunken treasures waiting to be discovered. Night dives here unveil bioluminescent plankton and unique nocturnal marine behaviors. The region strikes a balance between shore and liveaboard diving, offering flexible options to explore its underwater wonders, ensuring unforgettable adventures for all levels of divers.
Dive Sites
The best Months to dive in Nayarit
Nayarit offers year-round diving opportunities, with favorable conditions for most of the year. Water temperatures range from 23°C/73°F in the cooler months to 29°C/84°F during the warmer season, ensuring a comfortable diving experience. Visibility typically ranges from 15–30 meters/49–98 feet, with the best conditions from November to May when the waters are clearer and calmer.
During the summer months of June to October, divers may encounter stronger currents and increased rainfall, which can affect visibility and accessibility. However, diving remains possible, though it may be less favorable. It's advisable to check local weather forecasts and plan dives accordingly to ensure the best experience. Overall, Nayarit's diverse marine life and varied dive sites offer something for divers throughout the year.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Nayarit
Nayarit, located along Mexico's Pacific coast, offers a vibrant array of marine life, ideal for enthusiastic divers. Common reef fish such as angelfish, parrotfish, and butterflyfish can be found thriving around the coral formations. These species are a constant presence and provide a colorful underwater tableau for visitors year-round. Seasonal highlights in Nayarit include the majestic spotted eagle rays often seen gliding through the waters, particularly from November to March. During these months, divers may also encounter hammerhead sharks, especially around the Marietas Islands. Additionally, sea turtles are a notable feature from June to November when they come to nest along the beaches, making underwater sightings more frequent in these periods.
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
413 Sightings
J
19
F
28
M
26
A
10
M
35
J
44
J
51
A
45
S
14
O
46
N
37
D
58
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
83 Sightings
J
0
F
9
M
2
A
4
M
14
J
18
J
15
A
14
S
0
O
5
N
0
D
2
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
71 Sightings
J
5
F
5
M
4
A
3
M
8
J
4
J
23
A
8
S
3
O
4
N
3
D
1
AdobeStock-Magnus
Humpback Whale
53 Sightings
J
11
F
11
M
11
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
18
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
28 Sightings
J
5
F
2
M
3
A
3
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
3
S
0
O
0
N
5
D
4
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
23 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
1
M
3
J
2
J
0
A
3
S
1
O
10
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.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
15 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
4
A
4
S
0
O
1
N
2
D
1
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 7
iStock-Michael Zeigler
Sea Lion
11 Sightings
J
4
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
1
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
277 Sightings
J
20
F
19
M
20
A
10
M
17
J
21
J
35
A
24
S
6
O
47
N
23
D
35
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
259 Sightings
J
17
F
15
M
12
A
7
M
14
J
26
J
32
A
15
S
9
O
52
N
22
D
38
