We are one of a handful of operators with national park permit access to Banco Chinchorro, the largest coral atoll in the Northern Hemisphere. We offer flexible packages to meet your needs and have access to over 30 mapped dive sites. In addition to vibrant, abundant marine life, explore beautiful walls and wrecks. Create a combination of days spent at Banco Chinchorro and on the local reef right offshore in Mahahual. We have an experienced captain and a boat with the power to get to Banco Chinchorro safely. Healthy corals and amazing adventures await in this protected national park area. The best Costa Maya has to offer.
We offer both open water and advanced certifications along with a variety of other courses and even instructor training. Open water certification can be done with 3 days in Mahahual. If you are interested in courses, let us know and we will create a package for you. We also offer multiday packages with a combination of days on the local reef and at Banco Chinchorro. Contact us for package and group discounts. Common packages include 2 or 3 days at Banco Chinchorro and 2 to 3 days along the Mahahual reef. Those taking a course may want to combine the course with one or two days at Chinchorro. For diving clubs and groups, we can coordinate lodging, transportation, and even a local trip coordinator.
Banco Chinchorro is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that protects a diverse array of habitats - from mangrove forests to sandy bottoms to vibrant coral reefs. The national park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including American crocodiles, manatees, sharks, turtles, rays, and abundant reef fish. There are over 150 species of coral and 500 species of fish to see in the reserve. Pelagic species such as snapper, grouper, and jack patrol the outer walls. Chinchorro often provides crystal clear water with visibility up to 30 meters. In addition to sea life, shipwrecks dot the reserve. Visiting Banco Chinchorro is an adventure you will not want to miss while in Costa Maya.
Banco Chinchorro is one of the best-preserved coral reef ecosystems in the country due to its distance from the coast. It takes an hour to an hour and a half to get to Banco Chinchorro, depending on the weather, and at least six divers are needed to make the trip. It is always helpful to have some flexibility when visiting Chinchorro, as we try to pick days with the best diving conditions. If you have a small group, we can coordinate with other divers for an amazing day of diving and exploration.
https://amigosdelmar.net/dive-banco-chinchorro/
The reefs around Mahahual offer superb Costa Maya diving. Not only are the reefs healthy, but the topography varies dramatically from walls to canyons to coral gardens. A wide variety of marine life can be found right in Mahahual, including eagle rays, lobsters, groupers, barracudas, snappers, and all three Caribbean turtles. In May, it’s mating season for loggerhead turtles, and so the giant males make their way close to shore. Some of them are the size of a small car and always make for an incredible and memorable encounter. Occasionally, dolphins and sharks also visit us on our dives. The Mahahual reef offers dive sites conveniently located just a short distance from the beach and provides safe locations for certifications and courses. The variety of sites available makes this small fishing village a very special destination for divers