Explore Veracruz
Veracruz is a Mexican state that has about 675 kilometers/420 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico. The state of Veracruz is where a major port city of the same name is located, which is the oldest and largest port in Mexico.
Veracruz is not a scuba diving destination (yet) and also is not particularly popular among tourists because of its hot and humid weather. It has much to offer, however, and is waiting to be explored. Divers will never get bored with a multitude of wreck dives and reef dives offshore inside of the protected area of Veracruzano Coral Reef System National Park (Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano National Marine Park). Migratory patterns of pelagic species are not yet identified in Veracruz, so at any time of year, divers may spot various whale and shark species.
Dive Activity
Diving in Veracruz
Since Veracruz is not yet a tourist or scuba diving destination, there are only a small handful of dive shops in the area. These shops run boat trips to the Veracruzano Coral Reef System National Park, the town of Anton Lizardo, or the nearby islands of Isla de Sacrificios and Isla Lobos from either the port or from further south. These areas have dozens of dive sites that meet the needs of beginner and experienced divers alike.
Top Wildlife Sightings in Veracruz
The Veracruzano Coral Reef System National Park consists of reef flats and islands that are on the inner continental shelf, rising from about 40 meters/131 feet of depth. These reefs act as a barrier against harsh weather systems and protect the coastline of Veracruz. These reefs are home to groupers, snappers, angelfish, tarpon, eagle rays, and octopus.
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: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
50 Sightings
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5
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23
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13
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4
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4
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
20 Sightings
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3
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8
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3
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2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
163 Sightings
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1
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29
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29
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34
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40
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21
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7
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0
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2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
52 Sightings
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9
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12
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12
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18
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish
32 Sightings
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11
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11
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8
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2
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 130
AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish
31 Sightings
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4
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11
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15
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 85
iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish
25 Sightings
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2
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9
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14
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 350
Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish
19 Sightings
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10
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9
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 12
iStock/cinoby
Lionfish
14 Sightings
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0
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0
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0
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9
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0
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O
3
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2
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 150
Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts
11 Sightings
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9
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0
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0
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2
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The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species: 250
iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish
10 Sightings
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10
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The best Months to dive in Veracruz
Diving is great year-round offshore of Veracruz in the Gulf of Mexico. Water temperatures are warmer between May and November, but keep in mind that this also overlaps with hurricane season, which has cut short or cancelled many a trip to this region! A safer option is to visit Veracruz between December and April, when waters are slightly cooler (between 24–28°C/75–82°F).
