Certified Diver Dive Catalog

MUSA (Underwater Museum of Art)

Created in 2009 as a visionary conservation project. Artist Jason deCaires Taylor and National Park directors envisioned this museum to relieve tourist pressure on natural reefs, creating a new ecosystem where art and nature evolve together in a unique symbiosis.

Historia

Description

Immerse yourself in a surreal landscape where art and marine life merge spectacularly. You'll dive among over 450 sculptures made of pH-neutral concrete, specifically designed to foster life. Explore iconic works like "Man on Fire" and "The Silent Evolution," which have become home to corals and fish, slowly transforming into a thriving artificial reef.

Marine Life: Angelfish, parrotfish, damselfish, and coral formations growing over the enigmatic sculptures.

• Depth: 8-10 meters

• Certification: Open Water Diver

• Dive Type: Artificial reef, photography, contemplative

Manchones Reef (1 y 2)

This reef is not only a natural wonder, but also a cultural one. In 1994, the Bay Cross—a 3-meter bronze monument—was submerged as a tribute to the men and women of the sea, founders of Isla Mujeres, becoming a symbol of protection and faith underwater

History

Description

The largest and most popular reef in the area, with an impressive extension of 12 km. Famous for incredible biodiversity, calm waters, and the iconic Bay Cross resting on its bed. Perfect for all levels, from novice to experienced diver.

Marine Life: Sea turtles (hawksbill and green), rays, lobsters, nurse sharks, barracudas, and huge schools of tropical fish.

• Depth: 9-12 meters

• Required Certification: Open Water Diver

• Dive Type: Classic reef, ideal for all levels

Atlantis Reef

Named for its majestic coral formations resembling a lost city, Atlantis is a magical site. Its huge brain corals and tall coral pillars create passages and structures making you feel like an explorer discovering an ancient, silent world under the sea.

Description

Marine Life: Angelfish, sergeant majors, brain corals, and pillar corals.

• Depth: 10 meters

• Required Certification: Open Water Diver

• Dive Type: Classic reef, exploration

Jardines Reef

As its name indicates, this reef is a lush and delicate underwater garden. Known for its incredible density of fan corals and soft corals gently swaying with the current, creating a mesmerizing landscape full of color and movement. Ideal for macro photography and those who appreciate the details of marine life.

Description

Marine Life: Abundant fan corals, butterflyfish, damselfish, and wrasses.

• Depth: 10 meters

• Required Certification: Open Water Diver

• Dive Type: Classic reef, underwater photography

Media Luna Reef

A calm and colorful reef, perfect for a relaxed, hassle-free dive. The ideal place to adjust your gear, practice buoyancy, or simply enjoy the peace of the ocean observing diverse Caribbean fauna in its natural habitat

Description

Marine Life: Barracudas, turtles, nurse sharks, and lobsters.

• Depth: 11 meters

• Required Certification: Open Water Diver

• Dive Type: Classic reef

Pailas Reef (Bridges and Pailas)

Explore a fascinating maze of coral formations that create bridges, tunnels, and small natural caves. A fun and dynamic dive, ideal for those who enjoy the excitement of exploration and discovering complex structures and secret passages

Description

Marine Life: Abundant fan corals, butterflyfish, damselfish, and wrasses.

• Depth: 12 meters

• Required Certification: Open Water Diver

• Dive Type: Reef formation exploration

La Bandera

Feel the thrill of “flying” underwater on this current (drift) dive. Just relax and let the current carry you through uneven terrain with small coral mountains. Unique landscape and an exciting challenge for divers seeking something different than a standard swim.

Description

Marine Life: Large groupers, barracudas, moray eels, and nurse sharks hiding in the caves.

• Depth: 10-12 meters

• Required Certification: Advanced Open Water (or proven experience in currents)

• Dive Type: Drift dive

Punta Sur

Not just a dive site, but a geographically magical place. Here, the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea meet the rich currents of the Gulf of Mexico, creating a unique, powerful ecosystem full of pelagic life.

History

Description

An exclusive dive for experts at the meeting point of two seas. Strong and unpredictable currents, but the reward is spectacular marine life, the chance to see an ancient shipwreck, and, in season, swim alongside large groups of nesting turtles.

Marine Life: Large turtle groups (in season), dolphins, barracudas.

• Depth: 10-12 meters

• Required Certification: Advanced Open Water REQUIRED and high experience in currents

• Dive Type: Extreme current dive

Grampin Reef & Punta Negra Reef

Explore the deepest walls of the reef, where coral structures are larger and marine life changes. For those wanting to go beyond conventional reefs, experience the vastness of the deep blue and the thrill of a more technical dive.

Description

Marine Life: Larger fish, barrel sponges, and black corals.

• Depth: Grampin (16 m) / Punta Negra (18 m)

• Required Certification: Advanced Open Water

• Dive Type: Deep reef

Piedra Atravesada

A deep dive to discover the fauna inhabiting the lowest parts of the reef, a quiet place full of surprises for the attentive eye. Perfect for spotting masters of camouflage like octopuses among the crevices.

Description

Marine Life: Octopuses, starfish, eagle rays, and jacks.

• Depth: 18-24 meters

• Required Certification: Advanced Open Water

• Dive Type: Deep dive

Cave of the Sleeping Sharks

Discovered by local fisherman Carlos “Válvula” García and made world-famous by Jacques Cousteau. The “sleeping” shark phenomenon is due to an oxygen-rich current that allows them to rest motionless, defying previous knowledge.

History

Description

Experience a legendary, adrenaline-filled dive. Descend into a series of underwater caverns where bull, nurse, and leopard sharks rest motionless on the sandy bottom—a unique scientific phenomenon that will take your breath away and connect you to the wild side of the ocean.

Marine Life: Multiple shark species in a resting state.

• Depth: 24 meters

• Required Certification: Advanced Open Water REQUIRED

• Dive Type: Cave (no penetration), deep dive

C-55 "Juan de la Barrera" & C-58 "General Anaya"

These ships are World War II relics. They served as minesweepers for the US Navy (USS Ransom and USS Harlequin) before being acquired by the Mexican Navy. In 2000, both were intentionally sunk to become artificial reefs, continuing their service now underwater.

History

Description

Dive into history and explore these colossal steel structures. Today, split by hurricanes, they offer an imposing view and are magnets for pelagic marine life. The C-58, split in two, allows a fascinating exploration of its decks and holds.

Marine Life: Huge groupers, barracudas, and in winter (Nov-Feb), majestic eagle rays.

• Depth: 24-26 meters

• Required Certification: Advanced Open Water + Wreck and current experience

• Dive Type: Wreck, deep, current

Ultrafreeze (El Frío)

This 61-meter cargo ship has a fiery past. After a fire in 1978, it was intentionally sunk in 1979. Years later, Hurricane Andrew (1992) split it in two, creating the dramatic structure we see today.

History

Description

The deepest and most challenging wreck dive in the area. Its remains lie at almost 30 meters, attracting the largest deep-dwelling fauna in a setting of respect and admiration. For experienced divers seeking true adventure.

Marine Life: Eagle rays, giant groupers, turtles, and barracudas.

• Depth: 30 meters

• Required Certification: Expert Diver (Advanced Open Water + specialty in deep and wreck diving)

• Dive Type: Technical wreck, deep, strong currents