Huatulco
Huatulco is a tourist destination that is in the southern state of Oaxaca on the southern coast of M
© Shutterstock_Agnieszka J
Explore Oaxaca
Oaxaca is one of Mexico’s 31 states and is located on the southern coast, facing the Pacific Ocean. It contains popular coastal tourist destinations such as Puerto Escondido, a surfing hotspot, and Huatulco (previously Bahías de Huatulco), which is a region consisting of 9 smaller bays and 36 beaches. Five of these bays in Huatulco are protected as part of a National Park (Parque Nacional Huatulco), which supports the vibrant marine ecosystem. This is part of the reason why Huatulco is a popular scuba diving destination as well.
While scuba diving is year-round in this region of the Pacific Ocean, the best time of year is November through May, when ocean conditions are calmest. This is also when divers have a chance of seeing pelagic species offshore of Huatulco. Non-pelagic species are also plentiful, such as sea turtles, eels, tropical fish, octopus, bivalves, crustaceans, and gastropods.
Top Regions to Explore
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Top Oaxaca Dive Sites
Isla San Agustin
This site is abundant with diverse marine life, including colorful reef fish, sea turtles, and occasional dolphin sightings. The adventure level is easy, ideal for beginner scuba divers. It's a scuba diving site known for its beautiful coral formations and clear waters.
Cacaluta
Cacaluta boasts vibrant coral reefs and a variety of fish species, making it a perfect spot for both novice and advanced divers. This site is suited for scuba diving, offering serene underwater experiences with its extensive coral gardens.
Maguey
Known for its rich marine biodiversity, Maguey is home to schools of fish, octopuses, and occasional rays. It offers an easy diving experience suitable for scuba divers. The site features stunning rock formations and clear visibility, making it a favorite among divers.
El Violin
This dive site is famous for frequent sightings of various rays, including butterfly rays and electric rays. It is an easy to advanced scuba diving location, providing diverse underwater landscapes and thriving marine life.
La Montosa
La Montosa is a site for both scuba diving and freediving, catering to advanced divers due to its depth and currents. It features impressive underwater rock structures and is home to a variety of marine species. The site is slightly more challenging, offering an adventurous dive experience.
The best Months to dive in Oaxaca
Diving conditions in Oaxaca are generally favorable year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 25–29°C/77–84.2°F. During the dry season, from November to May, visibility tends to be clearer, often reaching up to 30 meters/98.4 feet, making it an ideal time for diving enthusiasts. However, the rainy season, from June to October, can affect diving with increased currents and reduced visibility, sometimes down to 10 meters/32.8 feet. While diving is possible throughout the year, divers should be cautious of tropical storms and stronger winds during these months, which can impact safety and underwater clarity.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Oaxaca
Oaxaca, located on Mexico's Pacific coast, boasts a diverse marine ecosystem, particularly vibrant around its reefs and coastal areas. Common reef fish include angelfish, parrotfish, and butterflyfish, which can be seen throughout the year. These colorful species are abundant and often easily encountered by divers near the coral formations. Seasonal highlights in Oaxaca's waters include the arrival of whale sharks and manta rays during the warmer months, typically from May to September. These gentle giants can be spotted near Isla de la Plata and Huatulco. Additionally, sea turtles are a notable feature, with species like the olive ridley and leatherback nesting along the beaches from June to November, offering unforgettable sights for divers and snorkelers alike.
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
123 Sightings
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35
F
12
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13
A
4
M
9
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3
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12
A
17
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1
O
7
N
4
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6
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
62 Sightings
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10
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8
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3
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6
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8
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1
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4
A
8
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0
O
6
N
3
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5
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
59 Sightings
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9
F
7
M
3
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0
M
4
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2
J
6
A
11
S
2
O
0
N
3
D
12
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
36 Sightings
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2
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1
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4
A
2
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6
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3
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2
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4
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1
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3
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6
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2
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
22 Sightings
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9
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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4
A
4
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0
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2
D
3
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
22 Sightings
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17
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0
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1
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1
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1
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2
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0
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0
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0
iStock/Divepic
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
21 Sightings
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0
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0
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1
A
5
M
12
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0
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0
A
0
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1
O
0
N
1
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
20 Sightings
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0
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0
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2
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8
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6
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0
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0
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2
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2
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0
AdobeStock-Magnus
Humpback Whale
19 Sightings
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1
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5
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2
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0
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0
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0
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0
A
3
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0
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0
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2
D
6
iStock-crisod
Reef Manta Ray
17 Sightings
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1
F
1
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2
A
4
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5
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0
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0
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0
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1
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1
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1
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1
Alamy-National Geographic Creative
Leatherback Turtle
14 Sightings
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3
F
2
M
1
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0
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0
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2
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1
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2
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1
O
1
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0
D
1
AdobeStock-wildestanimal
Common Dolphin
12 Sightings
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0
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1
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0
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1
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1
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0
A
3
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0
O
0
N
1
D
5
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
10 Sightings
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1
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0
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5
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0
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1
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0
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1
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0
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2
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0
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0
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle
8 Sightings
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2
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1
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2
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1
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1
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0
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0
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0
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0
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1
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0
Alamy/BIOSPHOTO
Ocean Sunfish
7 Sightings
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1
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0
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1
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0
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2
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0
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3
A
0
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0
O
0
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0
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0
Alamy/National Geographic Image Collection
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
7 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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4
M
1
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1
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0
A
1
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0
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0
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0
iStock/HakBak1979
Bull Shark
6 Sightings
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0
F
1
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2
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0
M
1
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0
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0
A
2
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0
O
0
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0
D
0
iStock/Extreme Photographer
Whale Shark
5 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
A
1
M
0
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0
J
2
A
0
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2
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0
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0
