The southeastern coast of Mexico offers some of the best diving in the
world. Beginning in Cozumel the barrier reef that protects the scenic
beaches of Mexico's Costa Maya is the second longest barrier reef in the
world, extending south all the way to Roatan, Honduras. Australia's Great
Barrier Reef holds the prize as the longest reef in the world, but that
is a long way from Chicago!
Thirty years ago Cancun was a little diving and fishing town with the
only accommodations being a few hammocks and some rickety bungalows. Since
that time there has been a world of investment and change. The once healthy
fish-filled reefs around Cancun are now patches of sand with few dive
sites worth the effort. Luckily for divers there happens to be about 1,200
km of barrier reef to the south of Cancun, and the further south you go,
the better the diving.
So
you are one of those, eh? Yes, for those technical divers who really want
to explore the limits of adventure, the Yucatan is the place to be. Accepted
as possibly the best spot for cave and cavern diving in the world, Mexico's
limestone and coral peninsula offers an unmatched selection of underground
rivers. Due to the geological makeup of this area there are hundreds of
miles of underground, fresh water filled cave systems that have yet to
be discovered.
If you would like to get certified as a cave or cavern diver see our
cave diving page for advice. Remember
that when diving in caves or caverns safety is a major concern and uncertified
divers should never enter a cave or cavern.