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Liveaboard Diving in Mexico
Take the plunge into Mexico's spectacular Cenotes, climb into a cage for a personal encounter with a great white shark or swim among a school of humpback whales.
Liveaboard diving in Mexico is extremely popular with divers looking to encounter large pelagics. Deciding to join a liveaboard trip in Mexico means you will visit some of the most spectacular dive sites and areas, all located on the west side of Mexico. These dive sites focus more on the impressive marine life you will see, and less on extremely colourful reefs, but believe me, when you are seeing the marine life there you will have no time to even realise that there is no colourful reef as a backdrop. The Mexico dive cruises which liveaboard.com offers go to three areas; the islands of Socorro, the Sea Of Cortez and to Guadalupe.
There are numerous Mexico liveaboards available via Liveaboard.com which visit these dive sites. The boats vary in length from 25m (82ft) up to 41m (135ft) with a number of passengers ranging from 16 to 30. There are also different amounts of nights you can go, starting from a 5 night, 6-day trip up to a 10 night, 11-day trip. Each liveaboard is unique, with additional features and/or expenses whether you want a luxury liveaboard or a more budget-friendly cruise, so please always read all the information before booking.
Sailing in Mexico most trips depart from two different cities, either Cabo San Lucas or San Jose del Cabo, both are located in the south of the Baja California state. Most of the dive cruises depart at night, around 9 pm as it will take quite some time to get to the Socorro islands; which is located 400 km from the Mexican mainland. Some do leave in the morning, so please check this thoroughly. Once you arrive at the first destination you will first do a check dive with the staff, just so they get to know you as a diver and also to get you into the ‘groove’ of things. These dives will also help the captain and staff choose the most suitable dive sites for the trip. Divers aboard a Mexico dive liveaboard can expect to do 3 - 4 dives per day, except for departure and return days, and depending on the weather and itinerary.
All itineraries are subject to change depending on the divers and the weather, it will always be the Captains final choice, and safety is always the main priority.
Dive Sites And Areas In Mexico
SOCORRO: This spectacular area has four islands to keep divers entertained, a group of four volcanic islands called the Revillagigedo Archipelago, or otherwise known as the Socorro Islands. This is a paradise for many large species of Pelagic species, including many species of sharks, Humpback whales, dolphins and they are also known for the many large Manta Rays. The visibility in this area varies from 15-50m (49-164ft) and water temperatures range from 21 degrees Celsius (70 degrees Fahrenheit) up to 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit). They are part of a protected biosphere reserve and many conservation organisations are working around here to preserve the unique wildlife which inhabits and pass here.
GUADALUPE: One of the most popular dive sites in the world for cage diving with Great White Sharks; if you are looking for the thrill to truly coming up close and personal with these impressive sharks, this is the area for it. Also, read our tips on cage diving with sharks.
SEA OF CORTEZ: The sea of Cortez has many different dive sites and also provides divers with incredible marine wildlife encounters. One of the dive areas called La Paz is best known for the extremely large schools of Hammerheads which roam here during the winter and autumn months. Another dive area, Cabo Pulmo, is one of the few coral reefs in this area; a colourful and thriving reef which inhabits more than 6000 marine species, with generally great visibility this is the spot for some colourful underwater photography.
When To Go
Mexico is an all year round diving destination but the best times to go depends on the marine wildlife and their presence at the dive sites. Socorro has the calmest seas from November to May with the waters being around 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit) in November, 21 degrees Celsius (69 degrees Fahrenheit) in February and back up to 25 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit) in May. These winter months also bring with them the main spectacles; thousands of humpback whales which come here to breed, and many manta rays. The visibility here depends solely on the plankton in the water which depends on the moon, but in general, the visibility is great.
The best months to dive in Guadalupe are August to October with the best visibility to see the many rowdy male sharks which are around during this time, but waters here are colder, around 20 degrees, so a wetsuit is important. If Hammerheads is what you are hoping to see then September and October are the best months to go.
Tips For Travellers
Each liveaboard has their own minimum dive experience level, most expect to have your Advanced Open water with at least 50 logged dives, but there are a few which only need you to have your Open Water and no minimum logged dives please always check this before booking and it is important to remember your dive logs/logbooks.
The main language is Spanish, however, English is widely spoken all around the country and on the liveaboards. The currency is the Mexican Peso and you can easily exchange all popular currencies such as US dollars and Euros etc.
The plug is the same plug as the US; two flat prongs with the standard voltage being 127V. Please remember to bring an adaptor for all your electrics if you are not coming from the US.
How To Get There
There are two ports from which the liveaboards we have to offer, these are Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. These are both cities in the state of Baja California and located in the most Southern municipality; Los Cabos. You will most likely fly into Los Cabos International Airport, which has flights arriving from the United States, Canada, and other Mexican Cities. Both cities have their own ports which the liveaboards will depart from.
Considerations
It is important to note that there are potentially extra costs for these trips such as port tax, marine park fees, crew gratuities, dive equipment rental (if you do not have your own) and Nitrox. Each liveaboard differs so please check this before booking. It is important to know that you will require having insurance for the duration of your trip.
To get into Mexico you will need to have a passport which is valid at least six more months after arrival and a return flight. The large majority of nationalities can receive a tourist visa on arrival.
Please see your doctor if you are wanting to know which vaccinations might be needed before travelling.
Mexico Diving Reviews
- 9.1 Superb
- 139 Verified Reviews
great!
Diving Mexico in October on the Nautilus Explorer
excellent introduction to the pacific side. much different than the reefs on the Caribbean.
Diving Mexico in December on the Quino el Guardian
Wonderful start to finish
Diving Mexico in December on the Nautilus Belle Amie
excellent experience, a must do
Diving Mexico in December on the Nautilus Under Sea
Loved it - highly recommended for anyone who wants to see pelagics.
Diving Mexico in April on the Nautilus Explorer
Fantastic dive masters, boat crew, and other divers on this liveaboard. I highly recommend to anyone and everyone
Diving Mexico in April on the Valentina
If you're in Cabo San Lucas, be sure to hike Mt. Solmar and walk both Divorce and Lovers Beaches - but don't plan on going swimming!
Diving Mexico in April on the Solmar V
Water was not clear but the sea life was gorgeous. Diving with the sea Lions was amazing. Snorkeling with the whale sharks was an amazing experience
Diving Mexico in July on the Rocio del Mar
Excellent. Black coral and sea lions. Large jaw fish were another highlight. Visibility wasn't great but ocean was filled with schools of baby fish.
Diving Mexico in July on the Rocio del Mar
FIVE STARS!! Enough said. :-)
Diving Mexico in October on the Nautilus Explorer
Fabulous. Will definitely go back again and again.
Diving Mexico in May on the Solmar V
Beautiful Country, nice and friendly people
Diving Mexico in May on the Solmar V
Wonderful area to explore!
Diving Mexico in July on the Rocio del Mar
This was my first trip to Mexico and it won’t be my last. Totally unreal experience!
Diving Mexico in September on the Nautilus Belle Amie
The diving in the Sea of Cortez was the most diverse marine life that I have encountered on any one trip. The pelagic creatures came up very close making for an amazing experience.
Diving Mexico in November on the Valentina
Diving in Baja California, Mexico was fantastic. I never saw so many big animals around me. I went in the Mexican winter season (December) and the wheater and the sea was very warm all the time. The visibility at least 30mt.
Diving Mexico in December on the Quino el Guardian
Very good
Diving Mexico in December on the Nautilus Belle Amie
It was our first time diving in Mexico. Out of 18 dives, I had maybe 4 great dives.
Diving Mexico in December on the Solmar V
Best diving I have done on the Pacific side of Mexico by far.
Diving Mexico in January on the Nautilus Explorer
It is a beautiful place to see the pelagic animals!!
Diving Mexico in January on the Nautilus Explorer
Overall the diving is very good. The visibility in March was just O.K. The travel time to get to the dive sites from Cabo is very long. On a 10 day trip, we only dived five and a half days.
Diving Mexico in March on the Valentina
OK. I am sure others had better experience and saw more. Swimming and playing with numerous wild dolphins on several (4 dives) was definitely the highlight. One or two hammerheads in the far distance. Never close enough for a clear photograph.
Diving Mexico in March on the Quino el Guardian
Exceeding Expectations
Diving Mexico in November on the Socorro Vortex
It exceeded all my expectstions! We fell in love with the diving here. We also dove Cabo Pulmo with it’s giant groupers and will be back to see Bull Sharks! We also loved LaPaz where we snorkeled with Whale Sharks and where the sea lion pups make for a memorable diving experience as they playfully bite your fins! We will for sure be back for more!
Diving Mexico in January on the Nautilus Explorer
5 star, will rebook next year based on above info. Thanks for paying attention to the details, goes a long way with some difficult dive conditions. Makes all the difference
Diving Mexico in January on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Love diving in Mexico. Lots variety of encounters.
Diving Mexico in January on the Nautilus Belle Amie
The overall experience was good. The trip was well organized and the operations ran smoothly. Great crew and boat.
Diving Mexico in July on the Nautilus Under Sea
So so as we had a hurricane cross over us two days before we got on the boat. We assume that is why we didn't see some of the critters that we wanted to though there were plenty of others.
Diving Mexico in September on the Valentina
It was great, I've been diving several times in Mexico and always enjoyed it.
Diving Mexico in September on the Valentina
Truly memorable
Diving Mexico in September on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Great but cold!
Diving Mexico in September on the Nautilus Explorer
Very nice, was told i would be able to see whale sharks and hammerheads. Saw one hammerhead and whale shark location was closed.
Diving Mexico in November on the Valentina
I loved it here and will definitely return. I still want to see more dolphins and mantas. Some groups saw tons of schooling hammerheads. I want to see as many as they showed me in their videos! The Mantas love to play and stay with the divers.
Diving Mexico in December on the Solmar V
Always good. Buena Vista, La Paz, Cozumel, but the Vortex liveaboard trip raised the bar incredibly high.
Diving Mexico in December on the Socorro Vortex
It was a great trip, but not as full of life as my first trip to Socorro. Socorro is always a surprise, and I’ll definitely be returning!
Diving Mexico in January on the Nautilus Explorer
Fantastic wildlife
Diving Mexico in January on the Rocio del Mar
Overall, I don't recommend Cabo, but I definitely recommend a trip to the Socorro Islands
Diving Mexico in March on the Nautilus Explorer
Cold
Diving Mexico in March on the Solmar V
Terrific. Great people. Safety conscious. And the mantas, dolphin, and sharks were there for sure!!
Diving Mexico in November on the Valentina
Very pleasant. Really enjoyed meeting and interacting with the locals, merchants and hospitality staff in Cabo. Plan another trip to one of the other great tourists spots in Mexico later this year. May come back to Cabo in the future and check out the Sea of Cortez.
Diving Mexico in January on the Nautilus Explorer
Phenomenal! Educational, challenging, and breath taking.
Diving Mexico in January on the Quino el Guardian
I love diving in Mexico. People are always wonderful. I do prefer the warmer waters of Cozumel over the cooler Pacific
Diving Mexico in January on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Mexico is the most amazing country for a diver. So much diversity, something for everyone
Diving Mexico in September on the Quino el Guardian
I love it here. The wildlife is amazing and the Mexicans are such a friendly happy race. They are quite simple in their needs. They like a beer and good food, and that's all I need with such great diving. This was the best trip ever in over 20 liveaboards and 18 years of diving. I have also dived Cozumel several times and Puerto Vallarta. Both are different but still good in their own ways.
Diving Mexico in April on the Valentina
Good
Diving Mexico in September on the Solmar V
The great white shark diving was fantastic. I will also recommend the Socorro Islands trip, as we have done it twice.
Diving Mexico in October on the Nautilus Under Sea
Great experience and on the list to visit again in 2018.
Diving Mexico in December on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Fantastic. It is a heaven to dive. We dived Cabo side and in Cancun, along the Riviera Maya in Playa Del Carman in Tulum. Any dive here, whether it is the Cenotes of Tulum or the Bull Sharks of Playa Del Carman, or the Sea Lions of Espiritu Santo Island can easily be the best dive you will ever do.
Diving Mexico in December on the Nautilus Explorer
Very good
Diving Mexico in January on the Solmar V
Amazing
Diving Mexico in January on the Solmar V
I'll return and I'll bring some more divers from Brazil. The experience was amazing. The crew is very educated and funny, and it was very safe in each step.
Diving Mexico in January on the Rocio del Mar
overall, it was worth as much as Galapagos trip. expecially, I love the steps who are kind and funny.
Diving Mexico in January on the Quino el Guardian
The trip to Socorro was my best liveaboard (from more then 10 trips).
Diving Mexico in January on the Valentina
Great trip, good diving, nice boat, first class crew.
Diving Mexico in January on the Valentina
Very good
Diving Mexico in March on the Nautilus Under Sea
In terms of once-in-a-life experience, it is definitely worth visiting looking forward to mantas, sharks
Diving Mexico in March on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Spectacular
Diving Mexico in May on the Nautilus Explorer
Out at San Benedicto it was excellent - in the Sea of Cortez it was very disappointing
Diving Mexico in June on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Excellent experience. I’ll surely come back. It’s the best place to dive due to conservation measures taken by the government and created a economy based on conservation.
Diving Mexico in September on the Valentina
Okay. I was hoping there would be more close encounters with bigger fish/mammals, but the manta rays compensated for that.
Diving Mexico in December on the Valentina
Excelente
Diving Mexico in January on the Nautilus Under Sea
Great
Diving Mexico in February on the Quino el Guardian
Great
Diving Mexico in February on the Quino el Guardian
Very good
Diving Mexico in February on the Solmar V
Very pleasant I will recommend
Diving Mexico in February on the Solmar V
Like Mexico a lot and find it to be a very friendly place
Diving Mexico in April on the Socorro Vortex
More than I could expect. Abs also recommend free diving. It can be as much as fun as diving. Believe me!
Diving Mexico in April on the El Duque
Cold but great! Will come back for sea lion diving
Diving Mexico in April on the Nautilus Explorer
Wonderful and highly recommended !!
Diving Mexico in August on the Nautilus Explorer
On the one hand, we were able to see things not available in other places we have been to, the visibility was not as good in other dive destinations.
Diving Mexico in September on the Quino el Guardian
I really enjoyed it. The water is warm and there are still a lot if fish. Even so global warming shows its signs also here.
Diving Mexico in September on the Valentina
Mexico has lots to offer to different degrees of skill, would recommend to anyone
Diving Mexico in November on the Nautilus Belle Amie
super
Diving Mexico in December on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Excellent!
Diving Mexico in December on the Nautilus Explorer
My 9th trip to Mexico in the last 5 years. Guadalupe cage diving, Socorro x 2, Cozumel, Riviera Maya, Playa Del Carmen, Cancun x 2 and Puerto Vallarta. You will be back again..........and again!
Diving Mexico in January on the Nautilus Under Sea
Unfortunately we didn’t see a lot of hammerheads.
Diving Mexico in January on the Nautilus Under Sea
Amazing
Diving Mexico in February on the Rocio del Mar
Great trip overall, hope to return again.
Diving Mexico in February on the Solmar V
Great Viz generally with ideal climate. So much to see.
Diving Mexico in February on the Quino el Guardian
A great experience over all
Diving Mexico in March on the Quino el Guardian
I think it's a world class diving.
Diving Mexico in December on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Diving in Mexico is awesome! There are so much things to do and see. There are other good spots in La Paz diving with sealions or in Cabo Pulmo.
Diving Mexico in February on the Nautilus Explorer
It was great to see mantas and dolphins!
Diving Mexico in March on the Nautilus Explorer
Excellent. Mexico has excellent dive sites and wonderful dive crews
Diving Mexico in November on the Nautilus Gallant Lady
A wide variety of different things to see and do conveniently close to home if you’re from the Americas.
Diving Mexico in January on the Nautilus Explorer
It's th best for the big animals
Diving Mexico in February on the Nautilus Explorer
Amazing!! We want to do it again!!
Diving Mexico in February on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Great experience. Socorro Islands were dives for experienced divers with strong currents and changing conditions. Aquatic life was spectacular.
Diving Mexico in March on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Excellent and diverse.
Diving Mexico in March on the Valentina
Beyond expectations!
Diving Mexico in April on the Solmar V
Best pelagic diving I've done yet.
Diving Mexico in April on the Rocio del Mar
Very good in general, with different fauna on the west coast and east coast (e.g. Cozumel) and different varieties (e.g. cenote in Yucatan peninsula).
Diving Mexico in May on the Nautilus Belle Amie
This trip I was learning a lot of technology, the deepest is 83 ft, every diving was around 1 hour under the ocean,I saw a lot of beautiful animals underwater I never saw before like sealions, sea horse, whale sharks, hammerhead sharks etc 😀 great trip
Diving Mexico in July on the Nautilus Gallant Lady
Good food, friendly people, excellent.
Diving Mexico in July on the Nautilus Explorer
My complete experience in Mexico was fabulous. The people are friendly and welcoming and Mexican culture is totally incredible.
Diving Mexico in September on the Valentina
Great
Diving Mexico in January on the Quino el Guardian
Fun. More relaxed than I had imagined. Do recommend for wildlife interaction
Diving Mexico in January on the Nautilus Belle Amie
Was only in Baja Cal This was great, would come back and recommend for diving!
Diving Mexico in March on the Nautilus Belle Amie
I think Mexico should be proud of having such a large protected marine park. A great example for others to follow.
Diving Mexico in June on the Nautilus Explorer
Unfortunately a max dive time of 50 min No current check before the dive
Diving Mexico in August on the Valentina