Manchones

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© Riviera Maya Diving Adventures, 77500 Cancun

Manchones

★★★★☆ (2,298)

Manchones Reef is one of the most popular dive sites in Cancun and Isla Mujeres, known for its vibrant coral formations and abundant marine life. This shallow reef is ideal for both beginner and certified divers. Divers can expect to see sea turtles, tropical fish, rays, and occasionally nurse sharks

Manchones Reef is one of the most popular dive sites in Cancun and Isla Mujeres, known for its vibrant coral formations and abundant marine life.

Dive Activity

Courses and Events

Advanced Open Water Diver

Advanced Open Water Diver

If you're having trouble deciding which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join SSI's Advanced Open Water Diver program! This program allows you to try a variety of specialties before enrolling in full specialty programs. It's an excellent opportunity to experience what advanced dive training is all about and discover how valuable it can be in your underwater adventures. During the Advanced Open Water Diver program, you will try 5 different specialties. For each specialty you choose, you'll do a full briefing with your SSI Instructor and then conduct an open water training dive. In this specialty-focused tryout program, you'll have total freedom to explore. This program will allow you to take full specialty programs at any time and credit your Advanced Open Water Diver training during enrollment.

August 21, 2026 +415 More
$542.07
MX$9,200.00

Potential Wildlife Sightings

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

iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda

Barracuda
373 Sightings
J
44
F
20
M
35
A
36
M
22
J
32
J
42
A
40
S
20
O
21
N
28
D
33
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
195 Sightings
J
14
F
9
M
18
A
12
M
11
J
21
J
25
A
21
S
16
O
19
N
11
D
18

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

Moray Eel
138 Sightings
J
13
F
0
M
11
A
16
M
12
J
19
J
15
A
18
S
11
O
10
N
13
D
0
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
81 Sightings
J
10
F
0
M
0
A
11
M
0
J
13
J
14
A
11
S
12
O
10
N
0
D
0
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle
24 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
13
J
0
A
11
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Wrasse
19 Sightings
J
9
F
0
M
10
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Eagle Ray
13 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
13
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Alamy-National Geographic Creative
Leatherback Turtle

Leatherback Turtle
11 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
11
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Angelfish
364 Sightings
J
40
F
19
M
30
A
28
M
28
J
40
J
44
A
33
S
22
O
17
N
34
D
29

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

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
304 Sightings
J
23
F
19
M
34
A
21
M
22
J
18
J
41
A
34
S
24
O
21
N
28
D
19

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

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
285 Sightings
J
31
F
13
M
32
A
25
M
24
J
32
J
34
A
34
S
16
O
17
N
14
D
13

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

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
228 Sightings
J
28
F
11
M
26
A
17
M
10
J
15
J
29
A
24
S
11
O
11
N
21
D
25

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

Pufferfish
207 Sightings
J
23
F
11
M
19
A
21
M
15
J
19
J
24
A
18
S
11
O
12
N
19
D
15

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

Total number of species approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
189 Sightings
J
22
F
14
M
16
A
17
M
20
J
14
J
16
A
12
S
9
O
13
N
24
D
12

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

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
165 Sightings
J
24
F
7
M
24
A
0
M
18
J
13
J
16
A
16
S
0
O
8
N
19
D
20

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster
165 Sightings
J
15
F
0
M
19
A
0
M
18
J
10
J
19
A
22
S
15
O
10
N
20
D
17

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

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
149 Sightings
J
20
F
0
M
22
A
13
M
0
J
14
J
15
A
17
S
0
O
8
N
19
D
21

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

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

Damselfish
119 Sightings
J
23
F
7
M
16
A
0
M
0
J
15
J
16
A
0
S
9
O
0
N
14
D
19

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

Total number of species approx.: 55

Shutterstock-RLS Photo
Lobster

Lobster
118 Sightings
J
11
F
7
M
0
A
12
M
0
J
11
J
18
A
14
S
13
O
10
N
10
D
12

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

Total number of species approx.: 2

AdobeStock-hakbak
Nurse Shark

Nurse Shark
112 Sightings
J
0
F
8
M
16
A
16
M
0
J
10
J
22
A
19
S
10
O
0
N
11
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
111 Sightings
J
18
F
10
M
17
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
15
A
12
S
8
O
0
N
15
D
16

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

Total number of species approx.: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper

Snapper
82 Sightings
J
8
F
10
M
15
A
12
M
0
J
16
J
0
A
12
S
0
O
0
N
9
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish

Jackfish
74 Sightings
J
15
F
0
M
14
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
13
S
0
O
0
N
14
D
18

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

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish

Goatfish
65 Sightings
J
12
F
0
M
21
A
0
M
10
J
10
J
12
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
59 Sightings
J
13
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
12
J
13
A
12
S
0
O
0
N
9
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs
Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish
55 Sightings
J
22
F
0
M
11
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
10
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
12

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

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
35 Sightings
J
8
F
0
M
13
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
14
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab

Crab
31 Sightings
J
9
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
12
A
10
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish

Soldierfish
28 Sightings
J
11
F
0
M
17
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Stonefish

Stonefish
18 Sightings
J
8
F
0
M
0
A
10
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig
Clownfish

Clownfish
13 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
13
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
12 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
12
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Squirrelfish

Squirrelfish
11 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
11
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

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

Total number of species approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
11 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
11
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

Solo Buceo, La Mar Oceano S.A. de C.V.

Solo Buceo, La Mar Oceano S.A. de C.V.

ZONA HOTELERA KM 5.5 INT HOTEL REAL INN C.P. 77500, 77500 Cancun, QR - Mexico
Riviera Maya Diving Adventures

Riviera Maya Diving Adventures

Km 16.5 Zona Hotelera Cancun, 77500 Cancun, QR - Mexico
Riviera Maya Diving Adventures

Riviera Maya Diving Adventures

Km 16.5 Zona Hotelera Cancun, 77500 Cancun, QR - Mexico
Scuba Public

Scuba Public

Sm 2 lote 16 fraccionamiento ojo de agua, 77580 Puerto Morelos, QR - Mexico

The Dive Machine

Calle 6 norte bis, #227. Entre Avenida 30 y 35, 77710 Playa del Carmen, QR - Mexico

SQUALO ADVENTURES

SMZ 001 MZA 016 LOTE 005 AV. HIDALGO #026 LOCAL 31, INT.PLAZA ISLA MUJERES, COLONIA CENTRO, 77400 Isla Mujeres, QR - Mexico

Scuba Garrido

Av.matamoros entre Av.rueda Medina y Juárez Mz2 L13 col.centro, 77400 sla Mujeres, QR - Mexico

Dive Sites Nearby

Scubapro, Stephen Frink
Punta Sur - Isla Mujeres (★4.4)

Punta Sur - Isla Mujeres (★4.4)

15 minutes from north of the island. Located right at the southern tip. Great drift dive. The only drift dive of the island where you can see big turtles in May through July.
CHAD B. (#3319083)
Cancun Underwater Museum | MUSA (★4.4)

Cancun Underwater Museum | MUSA (★4.4)

Probably one of the most unique dive sites in the Riviera Maya is the Cancun Underwater Museum of Art, otherwise known as MUSA. This site consists of 500 different sculptures all placed on the bottom of the ocean for divers to explore and appreciate.
Scubapro
Sleeping Shark Cave (★4.5)

Sleeping Shark Cave (★4.5)

Excellent dive site for advanced divers , where is located a the north side of the Island for a boat ride of 30 minutes , with a depth of 16 meters with bit of current sometimes.
SQUALO ADVENTURES, 77400 Isla Mujeres
Piedra Atravezada (★3.3)

Piedra Atravezada (★3.3)

This dive is deep with mild current sometimes strong current , Considering Wreck dive , Old sunked wreck from a bad weather , this is a Car ferry wreck for about 100 feet long , great dive , lots a barracudas on the top and with good chance to see eagle rays , grouper and snapper.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Punta Negra (★4.3)

Punta Negra (★4.3)

Punta Negra Reef is a vibrant dive site in Cancun known for its healthy coral formations and abundant marine life. This reef offers a mix of coral structures and sandy areas, where divers can encounter tropical fish, rays, and occasional sea turtles.
Aqualung
Santo Remedio (★4.5)

Santo Remedio (★4.5)

Santo Remedio is a lesser-known dive site in Cancún that offers a calm and relaxed underwater experience for divers of all skill levels—and is typically a particular favorite among beginners.