Scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta is surprisingly good. This well-known seaside city is the right base for exploring some wonderful dive websites within the space.
I’ve been diving throughout Mexico, and Puerto Vallarta is certainly one of my favorites, not just for its wonderful dive websites, but in addition for the city itself. I’ve lived in PV on and off since 2017 and love diving right here.
We’ll take a better take a look at scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta on this detailed information.
For extra on travelling to PV, ensure to take a look at our full information to visiting Puerto Vallarta, the place to remain in Puerto Vallarta, the finest seashores, the place to eat, the nightlife, and the high excursions!
Right here we go, my Scuba Diving Information to Puerto Vallarta.
Information to Scuba Diving in Puerto Vallarta
You is perhaps aware of Puerto Vallarta as a trip vacation spot, however do you know it’s additionally a fantastic place for a little bit of scuba diving in Mexico?
From Puerto Vallarta it’s a brief and scenic boat experience to many dive websites in Banderas Bay, most of that are high-quality for novices and superior divers alike. The perfect dive websites in Puerto Vallarta are shipwrecks, caves, underwater mountain ranges, and way more.
There’s plenty of wonderful marine life to see when diving round Puerto Vallarta. You may spot every kind of rays and turtles in addition to moray eels, dolphins, and even humpback whales.
Scuba diving actually is an unbelievable expertise and is likely one of the finest actions in Puerto Vallarta.
Whereas locations like Cozumel and Playa del Carmen on the Caribbean could also be higher recognized, Puerto Vallarta is a good diving vacation spot in its personal proper.
In my humble opinion, it’s additionally only a nicer place to go to. I could also be a bit biased, having spent the higher a part of the final three years residing there, however there’s a purpose I selected this seaside city on the west coast of Mexico!
Though it takes a short while from city to achieve the most effective dive websites in Puerto Vallarta, that’s half the enjoyable. On these boat journeys round Banderas Bay, you’ll have the ability to take pleasure in some postcard-worthy surroundings en path to your dive website. It actually is a shocking place to go to.
Better of all, there’s a lot to see and do in Puerto Vallarta whenever you’re not within the water.
That is the right vacation spot for those who’re hoping to do a little bit of diving along with different journey and cultural actions. In fact, you’ll be able to at all times simply relax and loosen up on the seaside with a margarita in hand as properly!
When you’re planning a visit to do some scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta, learn on for a better take a look at the most effective time to go to, the highest dive websites, and a few highly-rated dive outlets to go along with.
When to Go Scuba Diving in Puerto Vallarta
The perfect time to go scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta depends upon what you’re hoping to do. Some would say the most effective time is between November and Might when the seas are calmest.
It’s usually sunny, heat, and dry throughout these months, so you’ll be able to take pleasure in your time on land as properly.
Nonetheless, the winter months have restricted visibility and the water can get fairly chilly. In February the water can get right down to 72°F (26°C). Plankton blooms presently have an effect on the visibility, however that additionally attracts manta rays and sharks that you just’ll hopefully have the ability to spot.
On the web site of 1 common dive store, they point out how the winter months deliver very unpredictable circumstances at lots of the finest dive websites.
Robust currents and winds presently of yr can restrict or completely block off entry to a few of them, so it’s finest to plan at the least per week upfront.
Peak journey season to Puerto Vallarta is between December and March, with issues getting particularly loopy round Christmas and New 12 months’s. Be sure you ebook your lodging properly upfront if touring at this very busy time!
There’s one other mini-peak season when Semana Santa (Holy Week) rolls round. This is likely one of the finest occasions to journey Mexico for those who’re into tradition, however not for those who aren’t a fan of crowds.
Summer time means the wet season in Puerto Vallarta, which has its professionals and cons.
On the one hand, it’s very popular and humid with frequent downpours. Coping with inclement climate means smaller crowds and decrease costs, although.
The exception to that is weekends in the summertime when Mexican households flip up in droves to take pleasure in la playa.
The water can be warmest presently (round 85°F/30°C in August-September) and visibility is at its finest, so it’s not a nasty time to go scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta.
Greatest Dive Websites in Puerto Vallarta
Whereas there aren’t many dive websites offshore or proper round city, the boat experience to achieve them is half the enjoyable. Cruising round Banderas Bay on a wonderful day in your approach out to a 2-tank dive isn’t such a nasty commute.
Listed below are among the finest websites to go scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta:
Los Arcos
Water Temp: 65-89°F (18-31°C)
Common Visibility: 20-50 ft (6-15 m)
Depth: 29.5-130 ft (9-40 m)
Los Arcos is maybe the preferred spot to go scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta.
This epic marine park options arches (therefore the title) in addition to caves, tunnels, and a reef stuffed with marine life like lobsters, octopuses, moray eels, rays, and every kind of colourful fish.
There are a couple of completely different trails that divers can comply with at Los Arcos. These are appropriate for divers of all ranges as they vary enormously in depth.
Learners can take pleasure in El Acuario (the Aquarium) whereas extra superior divers can try La Quijada del Diablo (the Satan’s Jaw).
Chimo
Water Temp: 65-86°F (18-30°C)
Visibility: 20-60 ft/ (7-18 m)
Depth: 40-80 ft (12-25 mt)
Chimo, a secluded fishing village within the bay, is a good website for extra superior divers and probably the greatest dive websites in Puerto Vallarta.
On a 2-tank journey right here, you’ll be able to take pleasure in recognizing tropical fish and huge pelagic species. This consists of manta rays, sea turtles, and even humpback whales between December and April.
As well as, you’ll be able to admire Las Iglesias, rock formations that resemble the pillars of a cathedral, and Las Torrecillas, which is a powerful sequence of pinnacles rising up from the ocean ground.
Marieta Islands
Water Temp: 62-86°F (17-30°C)
Common Visibility: 40 ft (12 m)
Depth: 25-60 ft (7.5-18 m)
The Marieta Islands are a nationwide park situated about an hour-long boat experience from Puerto Vallarta. That is thought-about the highest place to go scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta.
Because it’s protected against searching and fishing, there’s an abundance of marine life right here. On a diving journey, you may see big manta rays, sea turtles, dolphins, eels, and probably whales within the winter months.
It takes about an hour to achieve the Marieta Islands by boat.
As you get nearer to the islands, you too can spot a number of completely different species of birds, together with the blue-footed booby. Better of all, divers of all ranges can take pleasure in a visit to the Marieta Islands.
Price of Scuba Diving in Puerto Vallarta
The price of scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta varies relying on which websites you go to. As I discussed, a lot of them are fairly an extended distance away from the middle of city.
For instance, diving at Los Arcos prices between $90-110. In the meantime, journeys out to the Marieta Islands price a bit extra ($120-150). It’s an extended distance to journey plus most operators embody lunch and drinks as properly.
Two-tank excursions to Chimo common round $150.
By no means been diving earlier than? Puerto Vallarta is a good place to study and begin exploring the opposite 70% of the planet.
To present it a shot, you’ll be able to join a Uncover Scuba Diving course for simply $50. This offers you the prospect to see if scuba diving is best for you.
Those that wish to go all-in can join a PADI Open Water course as an alternative.
These usually take 2-3 days to finish. You may join Open Water programs at Puerto Vallarta dive outlets for round $450 complete after the price of studying supplies. When you’re completed, you’ll be licensed and able to rock!
An alternative choice is to do a referral course for as little as $240.
That is whenever you full the bookwork portion at an area dive store again residence earlier than touring to Mexico. Doing that permits you to maintain the learning half at residence and spend extra time within the water in Puerto Vallarta.
When you’re seeking to take your scuba diving to the subsequent stage, you too can join Superior Open Water, Rescue Diver, Deep Diver, and several other different programs. Costs for these usually vary from $350-500 and take a couple of days to finish.
Dive Outlets in Puerto Vallarta
The standard of dive outlets can change because the years move by. All the time make it possible for the corporate you’re going with is PADI acknowledged, skilled and follows correct security pointers. Additionally, at all times ensure to test latest critiques on-line, and your diving gear earlier than heading out.
Banderas Scuba Republic
Banderas Scuba Republic has been within the scuba diving in PV enterprise for a few years and has earned rave critiques from divers all the time. This can be a skilled operation by and thru, from the gear to the dive instructors.
Vallarta Adventures
The most important and finest tour operator in Puerto Vallarta additionally does scuba diving programs and journeys. You at all times know that the standard shall be top-notch when reserving with these guys.
PV Ocean Excursions
Run by a father and son staff from the UK, PV Ocean Excursions began only a few years in the past and is already one of many high dive outlets in Banderas Bay. They’re recognized for being very skilled and personable.
Hyperbaric Chambers in Puerto Vallarta
Whereas scuba diving is usually a secure exercise, accidents do occur. That’s why you at all times wish to know the place the closest hyperbaric chamber is.
Sadly, there is no such thing as a SSS Community hyper chamber in Puerto Vallarta. The closest one is over in Cabo San Lucas in Baja California Sur. You may click on right here to take a look at their website and get extra data.
Earlier than you go scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta (or anyplace, for that matter), be sure to have strong journey insurance coverage. The DAN (Divers Alert Community) comes extremely advisable for divers. Click on right here to study extra about their insurance policies.
Find out how to Get to Puerto Vallarta
Most guests will arrive on the Puerto Vallarta Worldwide Airport (PVR). It’s at all times doable to search out direct flights to PV from the US and Canada, with essentially the most choices throughout the excessive season (December-March).
There aren’t a whole lot of different worldwide choices for arriving in Puerto Vallarta. You will get direct flights to and from Panama Metropolis in addition to each London and Manchester, however that’s about it.
When you can’t discover a whole lot on a flight to PV, I like to recommend trying out choices into both Mexico Metropolis or Guadalajara. Each cities are plenty of enjoyable to go to and also you’ll then be a really brief and low cost home flight away from the seaside!
Puerto Vallarta can be a serious cruise ship vacation spot. These arriving for a fast tour from a ship can nonetheless squeeze in a scuba dive (or two) in Puerto Vallarta.
The factor about touring to Puerto Vallarta is that you’ve many choices aside from staying on the town. By flying into PVR, you too can simply base your self in locations like Sayulita, Bucerias, Punta de Mita, Mismaloya, or Yelapa.
All of those locations are simply reached by native bus or water taxis and can put you nearer to among the finest dive websites within the bay.
Locations to Keep for Scuba Diving in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta has a variety of lodging for all budgets. From large resorts on the seaside to small family-run lodges on the town, you’ve gotten many choices for locations to remain whereas scuba diving in PV. Listed below are a couple of I like to recommend.
- The Paramar Beachfront Boutique Resort is correct on the seaside and near plenty of bars and golf equipment. It consists of breakfast and has a big swimming pool.
- A considerably cheaper choice within the heart of city (and quarter-hour from the seaside), the Resort Boutique Rivera Del Rio options elegant decor and furnishings. It has a pleasant pool too.
- Good worth however nonetheless central and clear, the Resort Posada De Roger has colourful Mexican decorations, a rooftop terrace, and a pool.
FAQs About Scuba Diving in Puerto Vallarta
Nonetheless have a query about scuba diving in PV? Take a look at these FAQs.
I believe so. It might not have the crystal-clear water and in depth reefs of the Mayan Riviera, however there are lots of good dive websites in PV with caves, shipwrecks, underwater mountain ranges, and extra.
In my expertise, winter is the most effective time for scuba diving in PV. The water is a bit chilly, however the visibility is finest.
For my part, the Marieta Islands have the most effective dive websites in Puerto Vallarta. You may see a whole lot of marine life there as a result of the realm is a protected nationwide park.
Scuba diving in PV is kind of inexpensive, with two-tank dives to a close-by website like Los Arcos costing $90-110. Journeys to locations farther away just like the Marieta Islands price a bit extra, from about $120 to 150.
Whale season in Puerto Vallarta is from November to March. Generally you’ll be able to see a whale from the boat in your strategy to go scuba diving in PV.
Able to Go Scuba Diving in Puerto Vallarta?
Whereas it could not make many lists of the most effective locations to go scuba diving on this planet (or in Mexico), Puerto Vallarta continues to be a unbelievable selection if you wish to embody a little bit of diving throughout your seaside vacation.
Even for those who solely go to one of many epic websites just like the Marieta Islands or Los Arcos, it’s properly price it to check out scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta.
Extra superior divers will certainly wish to tack on a couple of additional days to go to among the tougher websites within the space comparable to Chimo — the place you’ll hopefully spot humpback whales from the boat!
Whenever you’re again on land from a giant day of diving, you’ll be able to take pleasure in all of the facilities of this stunning city. Puerto Vallarta has some unbelievable eating places and bars to select from, making for the right strategy to unwind after a giant day trip within the water.
Pictures on this put up have been sourced on Shutterstock.
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