10 Reasons to go Scuba Diving in Huatulco
In addition to having some of the best beaches in Oaxaca, the best scuba diving in Oaxaca can also be found in Huatulco! Diving in Huatulco is great because our waters are protected, full of life, and offer plenty to explore.
As a traveller and a dive instructor, I have found that people constantly underrate diving in the Pacific. Recreational divers tend to flock to the same hotspots like Cozumel, Bonaire, Belize, but hardly give a second thought to the whole other side of the Americas!
For me, coming from the Canadian West Coast, I have a deep appreciation for Pacific Waters and the absolute abundance of life they provide! Huatulco is no exception and is home to the best diving in Oaxaca, here are some reasons why you should try scuba diving in Huatulco!
#1 The Pacific is FULL of life!
While other popular Mexico diving locations, like diving in Cozumel, may boast perfect visibility and turquoise waters, the reason the Pacific can be more green is that it is so full of life! From the pelagics to the planktons, the Pacific Ocean is absolutely teeming with living things.
The reason the Pacific Ocean often has poorer visibility than other seas is because of the abundance of nutrients in the water. The waters here are full of microbes and microorganisms that bloom and decay with currents and seasons.
While these organisms may affect the visibility, they also bring… the fish! The abundance of nutrients in the water means that the food chain of the Pacific is huge and very diverse. From frogfish to eagle rays to humpback whales, everything can thrive in Huatulco!
Things like porcupine fish that are exciting to see in the Caribbean are a guaranteed find in Huatulco on almost every dive!
#2 Huatulco is a Great Place to Learn to Scuba Dive
As I have mentioned before, we are extraordinarily fortunate to have such amazing, protected waters here in Huatulco. Our south-facing placement and the pacific shelf protect us from so much of the ocean’s might!
So if you are wanting to try a discover dive, haven’t done your open water course yet, or are newly certified, Huatulco is a fantastic place to learn to scuba dive. The waters are calm, we have almost no currents and there are so many dive sites to choose from.
#3 There is always a Place to Dive in Huatulco
Huatulco is very lucky to be situated on the pacific coast of Oaxaca as it is. Because we face south, we are protected from much of the currents and winds that other parts of the coast are exposed to. Because the bays all face different directions, there is almost always a great place to dive, no matter what the day brings!
Nowhere is perfect though, and we have our days! Sometimes the winds pick up and they close the harbour. Thankfully we usually leave early enough to beat the winds, as the mornings are calmers and the winds come in around noon.
#4 Plenty of Diversity and Dive Sites
Whether you are squeezing in a day of diving on a short holiday or looking to dive for 10 days straight you will not be bored diving in Huatulco. From shallow reef dives to staggering pinnacles and gorgeous canyon swim-throughs, Huatulco has scuba sites for every diving level.
Huatulco is home to more than 30 dive sites within a 20-30 minute boat ride, and most are within 5-10. But leave it to your guide to choose the best sites, dive sites are always chosen after we leave the harbour and are based on the wind and water conditions, as well as the skill level of the group.
#5 The Dive Sites are Close!
Say goodbye to early mornings and long boat rides! Most of our dive sites in Huatulco are within a 10-20 minute boat ride from the Santa Cruz Harbour. We leave at 9 am and are usually back by 1 pm!
We also don’t often have large swells and rough seas, so those prone to sea sickness might fare better here than some other places.
#6 Our Waters are Protected
As you know from reading Where to Stay in Huatulco – Your Guide to the Bays , Huatulco is home to the Parque Nacional de Huatulco (PNH) which protects 6,375 hectares of land, and 5,516 hectares of water in Bahías de Huatulco, Oaxaca.
This means that activities are restricted without the bounds of the park, and every time we use the marina we pay a fee that goes towards conservation and protection efforts to defend the biodiversity of Huatulco.
This helps to reduce the destruction to the reef systems here. Maybe it doesn’t seem like much at first, but when visiting you will notice a stark difference between the beaches and reefs inside and outside of the PNH.
Did you know?
Inside the Huatulco National Park, scuba dives are limited to 50 minutes of bottom time, and snorkel tours are limited to 15 minutes of snorkelling at a time.
If you ever see a guide handling marine life (making pufferfish blow up, breaking starfish, etc.) or feeding fish, please have them stop immediately, and report it to their operation. It is absolutely detrimental to the ecosystems!
#7 You can Snorkel and Free-dive in Huatulco too!
Free-diving is slowly starting to catch on in Huatulco, and for good reason! While there is very little shore scuba diving in Huatulco, it is very possible to find some great free-diving without needing to rent a boat.
#8 We have Great Dive Shops!
Huatulco is still a small town, so we only have a couple dive shops and they all offer great service!
Huatulco Scuba
Huatulco Scuba is Huatulco’s newest and the highest-rated dive centre in Oaxaca.
Owned and operated by my friend Antonio Romero, Huatulco Scuba offers exceptional service while working to expand the options for ocean adventures in Huatulco.
In addition to being a fantastic dive instructor, Antonio is passionate about conservation projects, marine life, and sharing the wonders of the ocean!
Huatulco is also home to Hurricane Divers, Buceo Huatulco, Scuba Diving Anfibios, and Huatulco Dive Centre, all of whom have excellent reviews.
#9 We’re Small!
While we do have four diving centres in Huatulco, it is very rare you will see anyone else in the water. Small boats and uncrowded dive sites make for excellent dive experiences!
Being smaller also makes us efficient! We get out early and are usually back on the beach eating tacos by 1:00 pm.
#10 There is Plenty to see Above the Water too!
While I obviously love diving in Huatulco, some of my most memorable experiences with Hurricane Divers have been from the surface on the way to dive sites. I have snorkelled with newborn Humpback Whales, watched mobula rays leap from the water, swam with giant mantas, as well as seen more turtles, dolphins, pelicans and other wildlife than I could possibly remember!
FAQ – Diving in Huatulco
Can you shore dive in Huatulco?
Yes – it is possible to shore dive in Huatulco, but is not common. If you book a dive excursion with a shop it will be a boat dive.
Sometimes shops will shore dive at night as it can be complicated to leave the marina in the dark, but otherwise Huatulco is all about boat diving! Technically yes, and we do sometimes for our night dives.
What do you see diving in Huatulco?
So much life! There is a lot to see while diving in Huatulco! Depending on the time of year we will see many types of rays: stingrays, eagle rays, skate rays, guitarfish, etc.
Octopus are common in the spring, different types of turtles, and we have 4 types of moray eels that are common to see all year round. You can also always find nudibranchs and of course all of the fish!
What is the average dive profile for the sites of Huatulco?
Dive sites range in difficulty around Huatulco, but the average depths are 10-22m, with most of the sites being around 13-18m.
The reef sites are shallower, while the more advanced pinnacle sites are at the 18-22m mark.
What is the water temperature in Huatulco?
Water temperature ranges drastically throughout the year.
In the winter the water is 22°c – 25°c, but we get thermaclines that can bring it down to 18° or up to 28°.
In the spring and fall the change is even more drastic with some days being 26-28° and others being 19°. You can see the monthly average temperatures of the water and air in my post The Best Time to Visit Huatulco.
In the summer, the water is clear and 30°c all the time. Its glorious!
Most people are fine in the 3mm full wetsuits we offer at the shop. But if you think you might be cold it’s always a good idea to bring layers!
Shev’s Summary – Diving in Huatulco, Mexico
Huatulco, Mexico is a wonderful place to visit, but many visitors miss the other half of the area – the part under the sea!
Nestled along the picturesque Pacific coast of Oaxaca, Huatulco boasts a diverse range of marine ecosystems, teeming with vibrant coral reefs, colorful tropical fish, and mesmerizing underwater landscapes.
Whether you’re a seasoned diver or a curious beginner, Huatulco offers a multitude of dive sites suitable for all skill levels. Encounter majestic sea turtles, graceful rays, and explore hidden caves and breathtaking underwater rock formations.
Thanks to its stunning biodiversity, diving in Huatulco is a worthwhile activity while enjoying your Huatulco vacation!
Huatulco Travel Planning Guide
🚑Do I need Travel Insurance to visit Huatulco?
Absolutely, yes, 1000x yes! If there is anything we have learned from the last few years it’s that life is unpredictable and plans can always change.
At just a few dollars per day, it’s worth getting travel insurance just for the peace of mind. I have my travel health insurance through Safety Wing and my travel insurance through Travel Insurance Master.
💦 Can I drink the water in Huatulco?
Yes, the water in Huatulco is safe to drink, but I don’t feel it’s worth the risk. Buy a garafon to reduce plastic waste, or use a Waatr bottle like I do to have clean water anywhere you travel!
🚙 Is it safe to rent a car in Huatulco?
Yes! It’s totally safe to rent a car in Huatulco, but the availability books up fast. I recommend comparing prices and booking in advance with Discover Cars.
🗣️Do I need to speak Spanish in Huatulco?
Yes – some.
Many Huatulco tours are offered in both English and Spanish, and most serving staff and store owners in Huatulco speak a little English. Learning the basics like how to order or read a menu will really help you out!
I used Pimsleur to learn Spanish and it was extremely effective! I highly recommend the app to anyone who wants to become comfortable navigating Mexico. You can also use Google translate very effectively in Huatulco.
📲 Will my phone work in Huatulco?
Yes, your phone will most likely work, but it will be expensive. It’s best to order a Telcel SIM Card to your home so you are connected and ready to go when you reach Huatulco!
Check out my post with more details on technology in Huatulco here.
🏨How do I book a place to stay in Huatulco?
For Huatulco, and Mexico in general, the best site to book accommodations is Booking.com. They have access to hotels, vacation rentals, and even short-term apartment rentals there and is usually cheaper than Airbnb.
For travellers on a budget, I like to book hostels through HostelWorld
✈️ Where is the best site to buy flights to Huatulco?
Read here for all of Huatulco’s direct flights throughout the year, but I like to book tickets through Skyscanner to find the best prices.
🛂Do I need a visa for Huatulco?
Probably not, most tourists are granted a 180-day tourist visa upon arrival at the airport. This is now done with a stamp in your passport, as of fall 2022 Mexico is phasing out the paper forms – yay!
