Puerto Vallarta: one of the Mexican Riviera’s top destinations, and a mecca for sun worshipers from around the globe, is a true paradise and a wonderful place to toss your worries into the deep blue and let them float away. Located at Bahia de Banderas or the “Bay of Flags”, this beautiful area has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best places to dive in the world; and, with giant manta rays, plentiful turtles, dolphins and whales, as well as an entire roster of tropical fish, it is well worth the journey! Let’s take a few minutes to explore some of Puerto Vallarta’s most popular dive sites.
Los Arcos
Los Arcos, or “The Arches” is a magnificent place to dive, day or night. The site is characterized by the massive granite formations that ascend from the ocean floor at depths between twenty-five and sixty feet, as well as caves that hold mysterious beauty. Here, along the edge of the continental platform that descends into the deep abyss, you can enjoy the company of giant manta rays, spotted eagle rays, and other large pelagics. During the day, it is fascinating to peer beyond the edge of the drop off into the deep blue, and at night, lobsters and octopus search for a meal among the ledges and crags. The entire area is a part of the Mexican National Underwater Marine Preserve, and there is absolutely no fishing allowed here, which has allowed the marine population to explode. Among the fish, you may see angelfish and butterfly fish, puffer fish, damsels, and more. Watch for turtles, too – both loggerheads and green sea turtles populate the bay. Novice divers are welcome, as conditions are calm and there is plenty to explore at shallower depths here.
El Morro
Like Los Arcos, El Morro features caves and pinnacles as well as lots of fish and other marine life. This site is located well outside the bay – twenty-six miles out into the open ocean. It is suitable for advanced divers only, as the current can be strong. If it has been a while since your last dive, you will need to brush up on your skills before taking a trip out to El Morro, as recent diving experience is one requirement most responsible charters ask for.
One reason to come to El Morro is to see the whale sharks that populate the area between May and July. Massive manta rays with wingspans of more than twelve feet are often seen here, as are dolphins and sailfish, and big schools of pelagics. Large loggerhead turtles, Moorish idols, leather bass, and plenty of other creatures swim fin to fin with you as you explore the exquisite underwater topography here.
Los Anegados
Thirty feet below the ocean’s surface, halfway between the Marietas Islands and El Morro, lies Los Anegados. This dive offers an excellent chance to view giant Manta rays, as well as jacks and tuna. There are normally eagle rays and nurse sharks here, as well as Moray eels, which enjoy the shelter this rocky bank, which is peppered with caves and punctuated by intricate rock formations, provides.
Many local dive shops offer combined trips to El Morro and Los Anegados, which is a great second dive after the deeper El Morro.
El Sequial
At El Sequial, you will find an incredible plateau that rises all the way from the abyss, which is as deep as 1 ½ miles in places, at a relatively shallow 60-80 feet from the surface. Besides the thrill that comes from peering over the edges of this massive table, you’ll also enjoy the company of massive sailfish and tuna. Larger sharks are seen here on occasion, and visibility is even better here than it is at some of the more sheltered sites. There can be a good current at El Sequial, so this is not a good site for inexperienced divers.
Las Marietas Islands
This series of islands, which is often simply referred to as “Las Marietas” is a wildlife sanctuary and home to the endangered blue-footed booby and other threatened avian species. Here, underwater volcanic formations such as caves and tunnels, arches, and spires, make for an incredible dive. There are plenty of fish and it is not uncommon to encounter giant manta rays. On the ride out, watch for dolphins year round and humpback whales between April and December.
Colomitos
Colomitos offers a beautifully scenic dive in a protected cove at depths between ten and forty meters. This site is wonderful both day and night, and features a steep underwater hillside dotted with rocks and boulders, where plentiful fish and other creatures await. At night, you can see the soft coral unfurling to feed, and watch the octopus as they extend their tentacles in a swirling ballet as they seek their prey.
El Chimo
El Chimo is an old fishing village located outside Puerto Vallerta, and the area off its coast is named in its honor. This site is located at the remote southern end of Banderas Bay and offers absolutely spectacular drop-offs as well as glistening white sandy slopes. There are strong currents here, which make it very attractive to larger pelagic visitors. Here, you can see whales and their calves between April and December, and whale sharks between May and July. There are large loggerhead and green sea turtles in residence, and you may even be able to enjoy the company of a pod of dolphins that often visit. This area offers a deep dive experience into the abyss if you have the skill and desire required to take it! Local dive operators offer mixed gases as well as rebreathers for qualified divers, and this is a wonderful place for wide angle photography.
While these are just some of Puerto Vallarta’s top dives, and while many of them are reserved for more experienced divers, you can enjoy plenty of shallower diving in the area too, and build up your skills so that you can enjoy diving in some of the most magnificent places on earth. So, take some trips in your local area if you can, and decide what you want to see. You’re going to want to dive Puerto Vallarta more than once – guaranteed!