Puerto Vallarta

Los Arcos National Marine Park is arguably the most popular dive site in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Its distinctive granite arches rising from the sea are iconic. Underwater, it offers a variety of depths, from shallow areas for beginners to deeper walls and a tunnel known as 'The Devil's Canyon.' It's easily accessible and boasts a high concentration of tropical fish, eels, and rays, making it a favorite for daily dive trips.

Well-known sites in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, include the Marietas Islands for its caves and bird life, and El Morro for advanced divers seeking deep pinnacles. A less-crowded but excellent option is Majahuitas, a sheltered cove with calmer conditions and great macro life, perfect for beginners or a relaxed second dive. For a true hidden gem, Chimo offers deep walls and a chance to see larger pelagics, but it requires a longer boat ride.

Water temperatures in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, have distinct seasons. During winter and spring (December-May), temperatures range from a cooler 68-75°F (20-24°C). This coincides with the best visibility and large animal season. In the summer and fall (June-November), the water warms up significantly, reaching 82-88°F (28-31°C). This warmer period is generally calmer but can have reduced visibility due to plankton blooms.

The best time to dive in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, depends on your interests. For big animal encounters like humpback whales and giant mantas, visit between December and April when the water is cooler but visibility is often at its peak. For warmer water and calmer conditions, ideal for training and relaxed diving, the months from June to October are best. This period is also the rainy season, but rains are typically short afternoon showers.

Underwater visibility in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is highly seasonal. The best visibility, often exceeding 80-100 feet (25-30+ meters), occurs during the winter months from November through May when cooler, nutrient-poor water flows in. During the warmer summer months (June-October), plankton blooms can reduce visibility to a range of 25-50 feet (8-15 meters), although it can vary daily depending on local conditions and rainfall.

Yes, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is famous for seasonal migrations. The most significant is the humpback whale migration from December to March, when they come to the Bay of Banderas to breed and calve. You can often hear their songs underwater. From November to May, giant Pacific manta rays are frequently sighted at sites like El Morro and The Marietas. These months offer the best chance for incredible big animal encounters.

Divers in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, can expect to see a rich variety of Pacific marine life. Common encounters include green, hawksbill, and olive ridley turtles, large schools of jacks and grunts, moray eels, and various stingray species like eagle rays. Macro life includes nudibranchs and seahorses. Seasonally, you can spot giant Pacific manta rays and humpback whales. Dolphins are frequently seen from the boat year-round.

For diving in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, a 5mm wetsuit is recommended for the cooler winter months (December-May) when water temperatures can drop to 68°F (20°C). Some divers may even prefer a 7mm or a hood. During the warm summer season (June-November), when water temperatures are above 82°F (28°C), a 3mm shorty or even just a rash guard and shorts will be comfortable for most divers.

To get to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, you will fly into Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR). The airport receives direct flights from many major cities in the US, Canada, and Mexico. From the airport, it is a short taxi or shuttle ride to the main hotel zones and marina where most dive operators are located. The area is very well-connected and easy to navigate for travelers.

Diving in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is almost exclusively shore-based. Dive sites within the Bay of Banderas are reached via daily boat trips (day boats) from the local marinas. There are no dedicated liveaboards that operate solely within Puerto Vallarta. For world-class liveaboard diving, you would need to travel to other Mexican destinations like the Socorro Islands, which often depart from nearby Cabo San Lucas.