Central America is a very narrow isthmus of southern North America extending from Mexico to Panama.
Gorgeous Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are right offshore, only a quick boat ride away. Some of the most astounding dives in the Caribbean can be accomplished from Belize City, with its easy access to the Belize Barrier Reef. You’ll also be able to reach the Blue Hole and Shark Ray Alley within a day trip.Closer to the city itself, you’ll find plenty of canyons...
The appeal of Ambergris Caye as the main diving destination in Belize is that it lies close to the world’s largest blue hole and the Belize Barrier Reef System, a 186-mile (300km) portion of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. While the Blue Hole should only be dived by those with an advanced certification due to its depth, the Belize Barrier Reef is perfect for...
Most famous for its proximity to the Belize Barrier Reef, Caye Caulker is a great base for divers wishing to explore a different section of the reef every day. Diving here is by boat, specifically small to mid-size speedboats. As the coral reefs are just a mile away, journeys can be quite short. Barely a handful of dive shops operate here. Each offers trips to the...
Surrounded on three sides by water, the Baja Peninsula offers astounding dives filled with pelagic species. The Sea of Cortez is the main focal point of Baja California Sur, but this region is also known as the setting off point for Socorro Island. Popular diving destinations in Baja California Sur include Los Cabos, Cabo Pulmo, La Paz, Loreto and Mulegé.The best...
Cabo Pulmo National Park has been deemed the most successful marine park in the western hemisphere. Established in 1995 to protect one of only three coral reefs on the west coast of North America, this national park is currently home to 6,000 marine species. Continual coral growth projects ensure a steady rise in fish levels. Both beginners and advanced divers are...
The only way to see Cocos Island is on a diving liveaboard vessel which you can board from the port city of Puntarenas in Costa Rica. Liveaboard trips usually last for at least 8 to 10 days and it takes up to 36 hours to reach Cocos Island from Puntarenas.Cocos Island, because of its heavy currents and surges, is recommended for advanced divers only. The dive sites...
Famous first as a resort destination and second as a scuba destination, diving in Cabo San Lucas is easy enough for a true beginner yet offers challenges for even the most expert diver. Beginners will enjoy the protected rocky reefs of San Lucas Bay. Intermediate and advanced divers can head outwards toward the dramatic walls just offshore. These drop to unimaginable...
Herradura, located on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, is one of the newest dive locations in this Central American country. The diving is excellent, but don’t expect to see pristine corals or excellent visibility. The underwater landscape is defined by volcanic formations such as arches, caverns and tunnels. Just because there isn’t a pristine reef, doesn’t mean...
Located just six miles (9.5km) off the coast of Mexico and 15 miles (24km) south of San Diego in the USA, Los Coronados Islands are a favorite destination among divers in the area due to their semi-tropical environment. Here you’ll find kelp forest, a new wreck, rocky reefs and caverns.These sites can be reached by overnight liveaboard from the American city or as a...
Diving from Manuel Antonio National Park near Quepos is one of the most enjoyable experiences of Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast. Here you’ll find a variety of environments created by the area’s volcanic origins, including caverns, deep sea pinnacles and boulders covered in soft corals. While there are a couple of protected sites for beginners, the vast majority...