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.
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.
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).
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
