Six Reasons Why Mexico's Riviera Maya Should Be Your Next Diving Destination

1. Go to a museum... underwater!

That's right, the world famous MUSA in Cancun contains over 500 life size permanent sculptures designed and created by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor. This is a truly once in a lifetime experience; I mean, where else can you find a real size VW beetle while ten metres underwater? There are also small houses, replica grenades, groups of people and the always popular 'bankers'; men with briefcases, calculators and their heads in the sand. The museum is made from marine friendly materials designed specifically to attract fish and other sea life to the site.

2. Cavern Diving!

The Riviera Maya is the only place in the world where you can dive in underground caverns, known locally as cenotes, without having to do a cave certification. These ancient Mayan freshwater sinkholes transport you into a magical world full of impressive rock formations, endemic species and even the occasional skeleton! The crystalline waters and filtered sunlight make them a dream come true for underwater photographers and videographers. All you need to be able to dive in the cenotes is your open water certificate as you will be accompanied at all times by a full cave certified guide. For those of you who are perhaps a little claustrophobic, don't lose hope! The beauty of these cenotes is that you can always see the light from an exit at all times during the dive.

3. Deep Diving!

The beautiful Caribbean island of Cozumel is home to some of the best wall diving in the world. It is the perfect place to challenge yourself as a diver or perhaps do the deep dive section of your PADI advanced open water course. The average visibility is more than 130 ft, or 40 m, and vertical drop offs to the deep blue abyss is the reason why it is so famous. Large sponges, beautiful coral architecture, huge tropical fish, turtles, rays, and sharks are what makes Cozumel a must for your dive vacation.

4. Bull Sharks!

Playa Del Carmen is home to the extremely popular bull shark dives. These majestic creatures visit the warm waters off the coast of Playa Del Carmen from November until March and this is a really unique opportunity to interact with some fascinating beasts. If you are an advanced diver looking for a thrill, then this is perfect for you.

5. The Warm Water!

Almost all year round you can dive in just shorts and a rash vest, so no need for a wetsuit! Think of all that extra weight you won't need and the freedom you will feel, not to mention getting a wetsuit on and off has to be the hardest part of diving. Warm water means even warmer air, though, so don't forget your reef-friendly sun cream and perhaps a hat for the boat ride.

6. Last but Not Least, the Life!

The diversity of the marine life in this part of the world is astounding. On any typical day off the coast of Isla Mujeres you will see hundreds of different fish species, plus turtles, sharks, crustaceans, eels, cephalopods, rays, and even the occasional dolphin! In the winter, you will see scores of huge eagle rays, and in the summer whalesharks are abundant in these rich waters. Whilst technically you cannot dive with whalesharks, only snorkel, people have been known to see them at the deeper dive sites on a regular dive, so you might get lucky!

The Riviera Maya is also ideal for people wanting to learn to dive as there are such a range of dive sites and the condition are near perfect: calm seas, great visibility and little current.

So, what are you waiting for?

MUSA

Cenote Chac Mool

Cozumel

Octopus on a Night Dive

Seahorse Near Isla Mujeres