Activities and Things to do: Scuba Dive Sites
Scuba Diving: Programs & Courses Dive Sites |
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La Baliza
This reef, located just under a half mile directly in front of the Four Seasons resort beach, is an excellent local dive in the summer and early fall months during which the coastal waters of the point boast 40-70 foot visibility. Despite its proximity to the shoreline, limited access through the Four Seasons property make this spot accessible exclusively by boat. Just over 5 minutes by boat from the Punta Mita Expeditions office, this is a great spot for a single tank dive or as a second dive after the nearby deeper reef. This fully submerged reef reaches up from the sea floor at 45 feet, to its peak at a mere 15 feet and is adorned with colourful coral heads, fish, octopus, lobsters, jeweled morays and panoramic horse conch as well as regularly visited by green sea turtles and spotted eagles rays.
El Malinal
Standing alone in the middle of the 90+ feet deep bay just north of the point, this fully submerged reef at 35 feet bears a wide variety of formations including a swim though, two walls, ledges and a flat top. Its obscure location makes this site rarely dove by anyone other than the Punta Mita Expeditions dive operator, this maintaining its unspoiled richness. Absolutely swarmed with reef fish and covered in marine life, this is our local pride and joy and the area's most colourful dive. Seasonal changes in marine life bring mass sightings of the rare cold water Argus Moray, countless encounters with reaming octopus in the summer, and thrilling views of game fish shooting thorough the bait balls of sardine. Like the entire Punta de Mita area, visibility soars in the summer and fall; however while other local sites suffer spots of poor visibility in the cold water months, El Malinal often remains crystal clear below the therocline.
Marietas Islands National Park
Located in the mouth of the bay just 15 minutes by boat from Punta de Mita, the Islands are an extremely versatile destination offering scuba dicing, snorkeling, and other activities, thus making it one of Punta Mita Expeditions' most visited sites. This protected underwater park boasts several dive sites along the dramatic volcanic islands ranging in depth from 30-90 feet. Amongst the most popular are the wall, "les cuevas" (the caves) and "la montada" (the mountain) but our knowledgeable guides may lead you to countless other sites depending on conditions an marine life. Highlights include lava tubes, colour reef fish, Pacific sea horse, octopus, the occasional sea turtle and spotted eagle ray, as well as seasonal visitors such as giant Pacific Manta rays and Humpback whales whose songs can often be heard while diving. Daily frequented by tour operators from Puerto Vallarta, the islands can be extremely busy during the late morning and midday. The dive sites are best dove, therefore, in the early morning and afternoon, An excellent designation for night dives as the abundant marine life enjoys the long awaited peace and quiet.
El Morro
5 miles beyond the Marietas Islands into the blue waters of the open ocean lies this series of volcanic pinnacles. Even before touching the water, the deep violet colour of the Pacific on a clear day can be awesome way to the sight of the vertical walls and deep canyons reaching depths of 120 feet. Large sponges give hint of the strong currents that often push through the canyon binging he passing of large marine life such as gregarious schools of game fish, occasional offshore and White-tip reef sharks, and giant Pacific Manta rays. Sea turtles abound and fish school in numbers that astound even the seasoned diver. The nature of the dive site, with crossings between pinnacles through currents over deep areas and long disorienting tunnels, make it best dove with an experienced guide from Punta Mita Expeditions dive center. This is a site for experienced divers only and subject to weather and ocean conditions.
La Corbetena and El Sequial
If you don't mind a longer ride out to your dive site, these sites are located 18 miles offshore (northwest of Punta de Mita into open ocean) and offer serious marine life encounters. The lone, exposed reef and the impressive wall rising from the blackness of the 2000 foot canyon are truly world class dive sites. Countless sea turtles and giant pacific mantas greet you during your immersions as well as the occasional yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, marlin, reef shark, and more as they approach the reef for brief moments. All of this action complete with a backdrop of volcanic rock filled with large sulphur sponges, ornate coral heads, overhanging fans, foraging octopus, spiny lobsters, colourful reef fish and gregarious schools of jacks and spadefish. Marine mammals also spend their time in the area giving opportunities to see groups of Pantropical Spotted and Eastern Spiny Dolphins in the hundreds as you ride out to the Islands. Winter and early spring boast encounters with Orcas and Humpback Whales. While underwater encounters with mammals are rare, it it's going to happen, this is the place! These sites are in open ocean with little to no above water reference making them suitable for advanced divers only and best dove with an experienced guide from Punta Mita Expeditions dive center.