Explore Quintana Roo

Quintana Roo is one of Mexico’s 31 states and is located on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, adjacent to the Caribbean Sea. It contains many cities that are tourist hotspots as well as scuba diving destinations: Cancún, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, Akumal, Tulum, and the islands of Cozumel and Isla Mujeres. These coastal destinations are popular among tourists from all over the world due to their year-round warm weather, beautiful sandy beaches, alluring ruins of the ancient Mayan civilization, and terrestrial and marine biodiversity.

Quintana Roo arguably has some of the most diverse diving of anywhere in the world. It is a great place to visit to take advantage of the abundant cave-, wreck-, shark-, and reef-diving opportunities, not to mention diving through an underwater sculpture museum. These dives are never more than a short drive or boat ride away, and are best enjoyed and appreciated by diving with Quintana Roo’s many local dive shops and/or resorts. Because of the proximity and accessibility of these dive sites to the coast, liveaboard dive boats are not common in this region.

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second largest barrier reef in the world, runs parallel to the coastline of the Yucatán Peninsula. Its splendor is especially well-known near the island of Cozumel, which is located 10km offshore from Playa del Carmen. The Arrecifes de Cozumel (Cozumel Reefs) National Marine Park is home to protected species such as the Cozumel splendid toadfish, green, hawksbill, and loggerhead sea turtles, the queen conch, and black coral. Divers can also expect to see lobsters, octopus, angelfish, parrotfish, snapper, eagle rays, moray eels, and seahorses. In the summer, whale shark sightings are common near the island of Isla Mujeres, and during the winter months, bull sharks can be spotted near Playa del Carmen.

Quintana Roo also hosts a complex system of about 10,000 cenotes! Cenotes are exposed, collapsed underwater caves that are part of an underground interconnected cave system. Cenotes boast great visibility and stunning geological features.

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  • 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
    May 14, 2026 +172 More
    $174.04
    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
    May 14, 2026 +172 More
    $580.12
    MX$10,000.00

    Dive Activity

    Diving in Quintana Roo

    Quintana Roo, a diver's paradise on Mexico's Caribbean coast, offers a diverse range of underwater experiences. Among the top dive sites is the MUSA Underwater Museum, where art and marine life converge, creating a unique diving experience. The vibrant coral reefs of Cozumel are a must-visit, renowned for their rich biodiversity and crystal-clear waters, making them ideal for both shore and liveaboard diving. For wreck enthusiasts, the C-56 Minesweeper near Puerto Morelos provides an exciting exploration opportunity, teeming with marine life. Night dives in the region reveal fascinating behaviors, such as the bioluminescent displays of plankton. Quintana Roo's dive sites cater to all preferences, offering a perfect balance between accessible shore dives and the adventure of liveaboard trips, ensuring unforgettable underwater adventures for every diver.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Quintana Roo

    Quintana Roo, located on the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, is renowned for its vibrant marine life, particularly along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Divers can expect to encounter a diverse array of reef fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, which are abundant year-round. The colorful coral formations provide a habitat for these species, making them a common sight during dives. Seasonal highlights include the presence of whale sharks, which are typically spotted from May to September near Isla Mujeres. These gentle giants attract divers from around the world. Additionally, sea turtles, including the loggerhead and green turtles, are often seen nesting on the beaches from May to October, with increased underwater sightings during this period. Rays, such as the majestic eagle ray, are more frequently observed from December to March, especially around Cozumel and Playa del Carmen, offering divers a chance to witness their graceful movements.

    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

    15k Sightings
    J
    1.5k
    F
    1.4k
    M
    1.8k
    A
    1.5k
    M
    1.1k
    J
    1.3k
    J
    1.4k
    A
    1.1k
    S
    758
    O
    996
    N
    1.2k
    D
    1.4k

    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

    15k Sightings
    J
    1.9k
    F
    1.5k
    M
    1.6k
    A
    1.2k
    M
    1k
    J
    1k
    J
    1.2k
    A
    1k
    S
    721
    O
    1k
    N
    1.5k
    D
    1.6k

    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

    9.8k Sightings
    J
    1.9k
    F
    1.7k
    M
    1.7k
    A
    809
    M
    305
    J
    201
    J
    308
    A
    248
    S
    196
    O
    242
    N
    767
    D
    1.5k
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    6.6k Sightings
    J
    614
    F
    610
    M
    747
    A
    626
    M
    508
    J
    520
    J
    658
    A
    491
    S
    336
    O
    494
    N
    506
    D
    477
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    6.2k Sightings
    J
    691
    F
    531
    M
    711
    A
    548
    M
    481
    J
    499
    J
    575
    A
    439
    S
    275
    O
    426
    N
    455
    D
    533
    Loggerhead Turtle

    Loggerhead Turtle

    5.7k Sightings
    J
    461
    F
    412
    M
    734
    A
    661
    M
    587
    J
    553
    J
    539
    A
    384
    S
    245
    O
    319
    N
    385
    D
    385
    Bull Shark

    Bull Shark

    2.8k Sightings
    J
    649
    F
    449
    M
    188
    A
    15
    M
    1
    J
    4
    J
    2
    A
    12
    S
    11
    O
    44
    N
    688
    D
    708

    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

    2.6k Sightings
    J
    248
    F
    244
    M
    422
    A
    164
    M
    167
    J
    217
    J
    179
    A
    267
    S
    104
    O
    148
    N
    228
    D
    241

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

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Octopus

    Octopus

    2k Sightings
    J
    243
    F
    176
    M
    269
    A
    147
    M
    141
    J
    113
    J
    181
    A
    119
    S
    82
    O
    160
    N
    159
    D
    168

    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

    21k Sightings
    J
    2.5k
    F
    2.2k
    M
    2.4k
    A
    1.7k
    M
    1.4k
    J
    1.4k
    J
    1.8k
    A
    1.5k
    S
    1k
    O
    1.2k
    N
    1.9k
    D
    2.2k

    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

    19k Sightings
    J
    1.9k
    F
    1.7k
    M
    2.1k
    A
    1.6k
    M
    1.3k
    J
    1.5k
    J
    1.6k
    A
    1.6k
    S
    1k
    O
    1.2k
    N
    1.6k
    D
    1.8k

    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

    17k Sightings
    J
    1.7k
    F
    1.5k
    M
    2k
    A
    1.5k
    M
    1.2k
    J
    1.4k
    J
    1.4k
    A
    1.4k
    S
    896
    O
    1.2k
    N
    1.5k
    D
    1.6k

    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

    13k Sightings
    J
    1.5k
    F
    1.1k
    M
    1.4k
    A
    1.3k
    M
    904
    J
    886
    J
    1.1k
    A
    894
    S
    648
    O
    947
    N
    1.1k
    D
    1.2k

    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

    11k Sightings
    J
    1.1k
    F
    972
    M
    1.2k
    A
    971
    M
    696
    J
    875
    J
    954
    A
    972
    S
    590
    O
    698
    N
    949
    D
    1.1k

    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

    11k Sightings
    J
    1.2k
    F
    953
    M
    1.4k
    A
    936
    M
    695
    J
    810
    J
    812
    A
    766
    S
    528
    O
    674
    N
    897
    D
    975

    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

    8.4k Sightings
    J
    916
    F
    675
    M
    858
    A
    679
    M
    507
    J
    678
    J
    766
    A
    756
    S
    539
    O
    497
    N
    774
    D
    722

    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

    8.1k Sightings
    J
    871
    F
    737
    M
    1k
    A
    776
    M
    538
    J
    696
    J
    631
    A
    595
    S
    443
    O
    465
    N
    605
    D
    692

    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

    7.7k Sightings
    J
    746
    F
    787
    M
    993
    A
    669
    M
    446
    J
    453
    J
    601
    A
    589
    S
    387
    O
    518
    N
    717
    D
    749

    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

    7.5k Sightings
    J
    766
    F
    738
    M
    980
    A
    620
    M
    443
    J
    548
    J
    548
    A
    488
    S
    435
    O
    527
    N
    664
    D
    746

    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

    7k Sightings
    J
    686
    F
    706
    M
    880
    A
    546
    M
    460
    J
    624
    J
    587
    A
    410
    S
    314
    O
    550
    N
    569
    D
    688

    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

    6.9k Sightings
    J
    776
    F
    690
    M
    881
    A
    652
    M
    365
    J
    474
    J
    531
    A
    642
    S
    296
    O
    394
    N
    595
    D
    653

    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

    6.3k Sightings
    J
    642
    F
    533
    M
    464
    A
    413
    M
    281
    J
    446
    J
    649
    A
    577
    S
    385
    O
    544
    N
    799
    D
    541

    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

    6.2k Sightings
    J
    707
    F
    533
    M
    730
    A
    491
    M
    380
    J
    521
    J
    497
    A
    587
    S
    326
    O
    381
    N
    505
    D
    578

    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

    5.8k Sightings
    J
    589
    F
    478
    M
    584
    A
    503
    M
    328
    J
    568
    J
    486
    A
    568
    S
    272
    O
    305
    N
    552
    D
    547

    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

    5.4k Sightings
    J
    685
    F
    505
    M
    619
    A
    419
    M
    212
    J
    335
    J
    339
    A
    401
    S
    312
    O
    413
    N
    623
    D
    580

    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

    4.9k Sightings
    J
    513
    F
    483
    M
    531
    A
    420
    M
    362
    J
    407
    J
    370
    A
    375
    S
    222
    O
    277
    N
    501
    D
    471

    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

    4.7k Sightings
    J
    510
    F
    421
    M
    545
    A
    417
    M
    269
    J
    365
    J
    365
    A
    379
    S
    219
    O
    264
    N
    477
    D
    449

    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

    4.3k Sightings
    J
    491
    F
    404
    M
    501
    A
    383
    M
    243
    J
    351
    J
    318
    A
    441
    S
    222
    O
    274
    N
    326
    D
    362

    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

    3.4k Sightings
    J
    428
    F
    319
    M
    421
    A
    265
    M
    184
    J
    253
    J
    207
    A
    350
    S
    114
    O
    184
    N
    343
    D
    298

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

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    Flounder

    Flounder

    3.1k Sightings
    J
    401
    F
    284
    M
    425
    A
    238
    M
    231
    J
    199
    J
    240
    A
    241
    S
    174
    O
    133
    N
    267
    D
    308

    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

    3.1k Sightings
    J
    453
    F
    360
    M
    500
    A
    260
    M
    158
    J
    159
    J
    172
    A
    159
    S
    132
    O
    160
    N
    294
    D
    298

    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

    2.7k Sightings
    J
    355
    F
    207
    M
    380
    A
    220
    M
    104
    J
    205
    J
    190
    A
    173
    S
    170
    O
    156
    N
    261
    D
    311

    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

    2.7k Sightings
    J
    374
    F
    231
    M
    400
    A
    251
    M
    139
    J
    184
    J
    229
    A
    246
    S
    95
    O
    71
    N
    242
    D
    252

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

    Total number of species approx.: 3400

    Shrimp

    Shrimp

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    139
    F
    175
    M
    202
    A
    107
    M
    91
    J
    69
    J
    98
    A
    92
    S
    31
    O
    72
    N
    138
    D
    134

    The best Months to dive in Quintana Roo

    Quintana Roo offers excellent diving conditions year-round, making it a popular destination for divers. The region's water temperatures range from 25°C/78°F in the winter months to around 29°C/84°F in the summer, providing comfortable conditions for diving throughout the year. Visibility is typically excellent, often exceeding 30 meters/100 feet, especially during the dry season from November to April.

    While diving is possible all year, the rainy season from May to October can bring stronger currents and reduced visibility due to increased sediment in the water. Additionally, the region can experience tropical storms or hurricanes, particularly from June to November, which may temporarily affect diving conditions. Despite these factors, Quintana Roo remains a prime location for divers, with many sites accessible regardless of the season.

    Dive Centers

    Dive Sites