Marine National Parks Scuba Diving Tours in & near Riviera Maya

Mexico offers amazing and diverse scuba dive sites for scuba divers, from whale encounters to colorful coral reefs. Mexico's Riviera Maya boasts remarkable sandy beaches, multi-hued azure Caribbean ocean and the second largest reef on the planet, and is perhaps one of the most popular diving destinations in the world. From cavern diving in cenotes, wall diving in Cozumel to deep diving in Amukal, the Mayan Riviera's protected national marine parks offer exciting diving opportunities for divers of all skill levels. Caves, caverns, swimthroughs, wreck sites and wonderful array of tropical fish and invertebrate species – this is the list of marine parks that you must visit during your Riviera Maya scuba diving charter vacation.

## Cozumel National Marine Park

Cozumel was a small fishing community until 1961, when French explorer Jacques Cousteau declared it as one of the most beautiful scuba diving areas of the world. Since then, Cozumel became a popular underwater marine park. Located just 12 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and about 45 miles south of Cancun, Cozumel Park consists of around 12,000 hectares of sea and coastline. Its surrounding waters are currently home to 105 different types of coral and 262 species of fish. Cozumel has nearly 30 chartered reefs, 85 percent of which are protected under the National Marine Park territory.

• The signature dive site of the park is the Santa Rosa Wall where rope sponges stretch out from the steep slopes of the wall and schools of barracuda and large black grouper can be caught swimming by along with colorful parrot fish and French and queen angelfish.

• Palancar Reef is a top snorkeling and diving spot as its tall coral formations attract all sorts of marine species, including the occasional sea turtle. You can also spot stingrays that hide out along the sandy ocean floor.

• Chankanaab is the #1 attraction in Cozumel marine park where you can enjoy scuba diving while admiring schools of tropical fish, colorful reef and underwater statues. Once your diving day is over stop by the crocodile exhibition or the sea lion show, or relax with a massage in front of the lagoon that gives the park its name.

## Puerto Morelos Marine Park

In 1988, the reef in front of Puerto Morelos became a protected National Marine Park to preserve the rich biodiversity of the Great Mesoamerican Reef. On a typical dive you can expect to see hundreds of varieties of fish such as barracudas, turtles, lobsters, seahorses, eels, eagle rays and occasionally a nurse shark or two.

• There are two accessible wrecks near Puerto Morelos, located around 90 feet below the water surface. These navy boat wrecks are home to coral, large fish and rays.

• Gardens and Puentes are amazing dive sites that allow you to swim through the beautiful, colorful coral reef structures while seeing multitudes of different tropical fish.

• Unique to this area, cenotes are caves with underground caverns and limestone formations featuring beautiful flora and fauna.

OTHER MARINE PARKS IN THE MAYAN RIVIERA

• Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

The boundaries of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve include 110km of the second largest barrier reef in the world. The reef is home to many important and several endangered species and is completely untouched by divers or touristic activities. Sian Ka’an biosphere is highly regulated and limited only to certain areas. You can book ecological diving tours in advance to explore unique coral reef and a lively circus of colorful marine life.

• Chinchorro Bank Biosphere Reserve
It is the largest and oldest reef site and highly protected Marine Sanctuary not only because of its amazing reef ecosystem but also its rich shipwreck history. This diverse marine park runs 38km along the Riviera Maya which boasts stunning coral reef and marine life. There are more than 30 shipwrecks with their cannons lying on the ocean floor.

• Xcalak Reef National Marine Park
Also called Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Xcalak, this marine park is located 172 miles away from Tulum. You will experience "blue holes," incredible views of coral, fans, sponges, turtles, eels, rays, and a variety of tropical fish. There are 48 species of hard and soft corals, sponges, and exotic black corals.

There are so many amazing diving sites for divers and snorkelers in the Riviera Maya that are sure to provide diving and snorkeling enthusiast a once in a lifetime experience. These national marine parks with their unique reef structures, wrecks and corals that are action-packed with marine life will make your Riviera Maya scuba diving excursion a unique adventurous experience. So don't miss it!

Share your experiences in the Comments section below and let other adventure enthusiasts know the fun & thrill you had during your dive trip!

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EXPLORE THE UNDERWATER WORLD AS YOU SCUBA DIVE IN THE RIVIERA MAYA

Popular for its gorgeous white sand beaches & crystal clear turquoise waters, the Riviera Maya and Cancun are Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations. However, often tourists are not aware of what kind of underwater treasures the Caribbean waters have in store for them. From the Great Barrier Reef to numerous shipwrecks, to the well known Cancun's Underwater Museum, this is what most scuba enthusiasts refer to as “Scuba Paradise.” If you’re planning a vacation, you may be looking into Riviera Maya Scuba Diving packages, and wondering about the different options that best suit your specific interests and preferences. Below are enlisted a few things that you should consider before going ahead with the packages:

• Cenotes – One of the biggest draws for divers to Riviera Maya are the cenotes. There are literally thousands of cenotes (natural caves that are filled with fresh water) in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. When there are over 6,000 cenotes to be explored, it becomes hard to distinguish between the best and the good. Some of the best cenotes to explore on your scuba diving excursion include Cenote Ik-Kil, Cenote Angelita, Cenote Manatee, and Cenote Tak Be Ha to name a few.

• Boat Dives – Boat dive are a great option to visit the beautiful and healthy coral reefs of the Riviera Maya. Boat diving is by far the most convenient form of diving, and most of the Riviera's best scuba diving sites are accessible only by boat. During your boat diving trip, get a chance to discover colorful ocean fish and heavy populations of sea turtles. Additional sea life that you can expect to see in the Riviera waters include manta rays, squids, and other tropical fish species.

• Swimming with Whale/Bull Sharks – For many divers, the ultimate scuba diving excursion in the Riviera Maya is not complete without an adventurous swimming experience with the gentle and slow-moving whale sharks or the exciting bull sharks that populate the area during certain times of the year. This once-in-a-lifetime experience of swimming with the largest known fish species in the water is unforgettable!

Riviera Maya Scuba Diving – Chance to See the Amazing Sea Life

While diving in the Riviera Maya, you can expect to see amazing sea life. The Riviera Maya is also a nesting ground for endangered sea turtles. You may get a chance to swim with the fastest fish in the world – the sailfish. Adventure enthusiasts will also get the opportunity to dive with sharks. Bull sharks are abundant in the area through the months of November to March.

The wildlife assortment doesn’t end there. Rays, octopi, starfish, and squid can also be seen along with the nearly endless variety of colorful common fish.

Safety Tips For Diving in Riviera Maya

1. Hire a Scuba Charter : The best way to enjoy your next scuba vacation is to hire a scuba dive charter. Dive yacht charters have an experienced captain and dive master aboard who are knowledgeable about the locations and make sure that you have the best scuba diving experience ever.

2. Be Familiar with Your Equipment – When you hire a scuba charter, they have a knowledgeable dive master on board, but it is always important to obtain certification prior to coming on board. For more personalized and cherishable experience, the experienced staff will guide you at every location.

Do you need more reasons to consider Riviera Maya for your next vacation? Your Riviera Maya scuba diving excursion will become the main event on your vacation if you take into consideration the aforesaid mentioned points. Get ready! You are about to embark on one of the most exciting and spectacular adventures of your life!

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SECRETS TO A SAFER SCUBA DIVING EXPERIENCE IN RIVIERA MAYA

Riviera Maya – this portion of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula was once a collection of small fishing villages. Starting from Puerto Morelos at the north and stretching south all the way to Punta Allen. It is perhaps one of the most visited tourist destination amongst avid travelers visiting the western Caribbean Sea. This hot spot offers the perfect amalgamation of cultural experiences, shopping, dive opportunities and last but not least, adventure. Scuba diving in Riviera Maya is popular amongst the amateurs as well as the hardcore scuba divers and landlubbers alike. For cave divers, this region is legendary, but everyone can explore some of the light beam-filled caverns in Riviera Maya. Whether it's nightlife, scuba diving, or quiet tranquil beaches, Riviera Maya has something for everyone.

Riviera Maya is probably one of the most popular tourist destinations on earth. Parallel to the coast, you find the Mesoamerican Reef, the largest in the Northern Hemisphere, and after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia the longest on the planet. With the island of Cozumel at a stone’s throw, you can imagine what a great dive destination Riviera Maya is! Here are three items that are always important to inspect prior to your scuba diving in Riviera Maya.

1.SKILL #1: CHECK TANK VALVES – When you and your scuba partner have geared up, check with your dive master whether or not you have put on your gear correctly. When your partner lifts one leg in figure 4 to put on a fin, it is always polite to hold his or her tank valve with one hand to steady them and at the same time check that the valve is fully open. With your other hand, you can grab the boat railing for support. Then your partner can grab and check your tank valve while you put on your fins. This keeps both of you steadier, reminds both of you to open your tank valves fully without wasting any of your precious dive time.

2.SKILL #2:DOUBLE YOUR GAUGE CHECKS – Once in water, many of us don't check our gauges. By far the most common cause of low-air or out-of-air emergencies is simply the failure to check gauges often. Whenever you think of checking your gauges, signal your buddy also to check the same and vice versa. Whenever the two of you make eye contact, for whatever reason, let that be a reminder to check gauges. Whenever you notice anyone checking gauges, check yours. It costs nothing but only a few seconds!!

3.SKILL #3: PRACTICE STOPPING YOUR ASCENT – While ascending the only skill many divers never master is Buoyancy Control (BC). As a result, most of them ascend more quickly than the recommended 30 feet per minute. Many divers are unable to control their ascent rate at all even when slow ascent is most important. To keep your ascent rate in control follow the below-mentioned tips:

• Pause Before You Begin To Ascent: If you reach on time, check the gauges, establish neutral buoyancy. Check the gear. Ensure that cameras, lights, etc. are clipped in or otherwise put away.

• Keep a check over you and your buddy's ascent. As you both begin to ascend, not only monitor your own ascent rate indicator and control but also keep a check over your buddy's ascent rate. If he starts rising above you, tug his fin as a gentle reminder to slow down. Your buddy should also follow the same.

How To Ascend Slowly?

1. Prior initiating your ascent, establish neutral buoyancy.

2. Kick start your ascent not by adding air to your BC but by kicking to overcome neutral buoyancy.

3. Always keep the ascent indicator in plain sight by keeping your one hand free so as to hold it in front of you throughout the ascending journey.

4. As you ascend, ensure that you and your buddy look over each other's shoulders so that you can enjoy a 360-degree view of your surroundings.

5. Remember that if you are at deeper depths and are wearing a thicker dive suit, the suit will compress as you go deeper which decreases buoyancy. When coming up, you may have to let air out of your BC in order to maintain a neutral buoyancy.

No doubt the team of experts on your private dive yacht charter will be there to help you have the best experience of scuba diving in Riviera Maya, but, when you are participating in an even, you should also be aware of all the important items relating to a great dive. Keep these tips in your mind when you go on your next scuba diving vacation in Riviera Maya.

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