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A majestic great barracuda swims gracefully in clear ocean waters alongside a diver, showcasing underwater life.
📷 Leonardo Lamas · Pexels

Barracuda Reef

3.7 — based on 19 community signals
4.2 12 species 29 contributors

Barracuda Reef is a year-round Mexican dive destination known for healthy coral ecosystems and abundant barracuda sightings.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
PhotoFriendlyFamily-friendlyMPA

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Great barracuda, Green sea turtle, Hawksbill turtle

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators POIs Airport Nearby spots
Barracuda Reef location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4.9 kn
Wave
0.22 m
Water
30.5°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (31%)
Now: NE (52°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.25m

Next: High at 05:00 (+0.16m)

+0.2 m0 m-0.0 m
▼ 23:00 · +0.04m ▲ 05:00 · +0.16m ▼ 11:00 · -0.02m ▲ 17:00 · +0.13m Now +0.0m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV8.45 · very high Air PM2.53 · good 06:35 18:47
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 6.3 0.24 8 2mm
09-19 6.7 0.24 8 5mm
09-20 6.5 0.26 8 14mm
09-21 4.7 0.26 8 29mm
09-22 7.1 0.26 8 22mm
09-23 5.8 0.22 8 18mm
09-24 4.8 0.22 7 17mm

About this spot

Barracuda Reef offers consistent diving opportunities throughout the year off Mexico's coast. The site supports healthy coral with no bleaching stress, making it a reliable choice for divers seeking vibrant reef ecosystems. Twelve documented species observations confirm the reef's marine biodiversity, while three community videos provide insight into conditions and wildlife encounters. The reef attracts divers interested in barracuda behavior and reef ecology. Local marine data shows the site maintains good health status, indicating stable conditions for coral and fish populations. Year-round accessibility means you can plan your trip based on other factors rather than seasonal closures. Visit during any season to explore the reef's established dive routes. Check with local dive operators before booking to confirm current conditions, required equipment, and group sizes. The site's protected coral status reflects its ecological importance to the regional ecosystem.

📖 Guide: Diving in Mexico: 51 Sites from Cenotes to Shark Dives

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Great barracudaGreen sea turtleHawksbill turtle

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 127V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 7994km · ~1839kg · €33

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 96/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 11h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 1h east · 1 day recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Barracuda Reef?

Barracuda Reef is diveable year-round, so you can plan your trip based on your schedule and other travel factors. Contact local operators for seasonal variations in sea conditions or water clarity.

What marine life should I expect at Barracuda Reef?

The reef is named for barracuda sightings. Twelve documented species observations confirm diverse marine life inhabits the site. Healthy coral with no bleaching stress supports a full reef ecosystem.

Do I need permits or permissions to dive here?

Barracuda Reef is not inside a Marine Protected Area, so standard diving regulations apply. Confirm any local requirements with your operator before your dive.

Can I watch videos of this dive site first?

Yes. Three community videos document conditions and wildlife at Barracuda Reef, giving you a preview of what to expect before you visit.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Barracuda Reef

0 km
Dive centre

San Juan Reef

4.4 km
Dive centre

Cantarell Sand Reef

5.4 km
Dive centre

Cozumel Dive School

7.5 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

77 records · 27 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Elysia

Gastropoda · Plakobranchidae
OBIS
Last seen:
4 Oct 2021
×1records

Pennaria disticha

Hydrozoa · Pennariidae
OBIS
Last seen:
18 Oct 2014
×1records
Depth:
6 m

Sertularella diaphana

Hydrozoa · Sertularellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
18 Oct 2014
×1records
Depth:
20 m

Thyroscyphus ramosus

Hydrozoa · Thyroscyphidae
OBIS
Last seen:
18 Oct 2014
×1records
Depth:
20 m

Ophioderma guttatum

Ophiuroidea · Ophiodermatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jan 2009
×1records
Depth:
3 m

Ophiothrix (Ophiothrix) oerstedii lutea

Ophiuroidea · Ophiotrichidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jan 2009
×1records
Depth:
3 m

Ophiothrix angulata var. atrolineata

Ophiuroidea · Ophiotrichidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jan 2009
×1records
Depth:
8 m

Ophiocoma echinata

Ophiuroidea · Ophiocomidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jan 2009
×1records
Depth:
8 m

Ophiophragmus moorei

Ophiuroidea · Amphiuridae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jan 2009
×1records
Depth:
19 m

Ophionereis reticulata

Ophiuroidea · Ophionereididae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jan 2000
×2records
Depth:
5–6 m

Ophiothrix (Ophiothrix) oerstedii lutea

Ophiuroidea · Ophiotrichidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jan 2000
×2records
Depth:
1–3 m

Ophiocomella pumila

Ophiuroidea · Ophiocomidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jan 2000
×2records
Depth:
6–17 m

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

mexico diving Barracuda Reef Playa del carmen

SCUBA DIVING
💬 3 top comments
  • Harika bir video olmuş youtubede gördüğüm en güzel video diyebilirim yani seviliyorsun kral 👍

    @aytekincelik9112 · 👍 0
  • Harika bir yer kardeşim

    @leventkanklc5760 · 👍 0
  • Su alti cekimini hangi kamerayla yaptınız ?

    @sevimlipettaksi8245 · 👍 0

Scuba Diving Barracuda Reef, PDC, Mexico

Prairie Bubbler
💬 1 top comments
  • Fish are amazing!

    @chisaquaticvibe · 👍 0

SCUBA Dives at Tortuga Reef & Barracuda Reef, Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Yeah Baby SCUBA Adventures
wind peaks Mar-Jan-Feb, calmest Jul-Aug-Sep, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jun (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (97/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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