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OpenWaterAtlas
Two scuba divers explore an underwater shipwreck off the coast of Isla Mujeres, Mexico.
📷 Harvey Clements · Pexels

Cardona

3.5 — based on 14 community signals
4.2 12 species 26 contributors

Cardona offers year-round diving in Mexico with 12 recorded species observations and healthy coral conditions.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
PhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner

Top operators here

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Map

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Cardona location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
3.5 kn
Wave
0.58 m
Water
30.3°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (22%)
Now: NE (39°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.24m

Today: High 04:00 (+0.25m), Low 11:00 (+0.08m)

+0.3 m+0.1 m
▲ 04:00 · +0.25m ▼ 11:00 · +0.08m ▲ 17:00 · +0.23m ▼ 22:00 · +0.11m Now +0.2m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV8.25 · very high Air PM2.53 · good 06:35 18:47
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 5.2 0.68 8 1mm
09-19 6.2 0.6 8 8mm
09-20 7.6 0.68 8 9mm
09-21 6.8 0.76 8 15mm
09-22 7.2 0.66 8 21mm
09-23 6.2 0.62 8 14mm
09-24 5.4 0.6 7 28mm

About this spot

Cardona is a dive destination in Mexico that welcomes divers throughout the year. The site hosts healthy coral conditions with no bleaching stress, making it suitable for marine life viewing. Twelve species observations have been documented at the location, giving divers a solid baseline for what to expect underwater. The spot has generated community interest, with three videos available for planning and research. While specific depth and difficulty ratings aren't published, the presence of documented species and active community engagement suggests the site accommodates various skill levels. The lack of marine protected area restrictions means easier access for visiting divers.

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

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 · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 8022km · ~1845kg · €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 Cardona?

Cardona is diveable year-round. Plan your trip based on your schedule and general Mexico travel conditions.

What marine life will I see at Cardona?

Twelve species observations have been recorded at Cardona. Review community videos to identify common species before your dive.

Is Cardona in a protected marine area?

No. Cardona sits outside a marine protected area, meaning fewer permit requirements for access.

What are the coral conditions at Cardona?

Coral at Cardona shows no bleaching stress, indicating healthy conditions for viewing and photography.

Operators near this spot

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

Punta Tunich Wall

1.4 km
Dive centre

San Frandsco Reef

1.7 km
Dive centre

Paso El Cedral Reef

3.3 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Diving Cardona Reef

MexicandiverMagazine

Mexico Cozumel Cedar Pass, Cardona

HillSideToshiaki

Scuba Diving Paradise Reef in Cozumel, Mexico - 4K 🎵 Cœur d'artichaut - Polo & Pan

The Dive Planner
wind peaks Mar-Feb-Jan, calmest Oct-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 (100/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

Nearby spots

Punta Tunich Wall Mexico Diving
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Punta Tunich Wall

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San Frandsco Reef Mexico Diving
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San Frandsco Reef

San Francisco Reef offers year-round diving off Mexico's coast with healthy corals and abundant marine life.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
La Francesa Mexico Diving
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La Francesa

La Francesa is a year-round dive destination in Mexico with robust marine life and no coral stress indicators.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+

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Chankanaab Reef

Chankanaab Reef in Mexico offers year-round diving with healthy corals and diverse marine life in a protected natural setting.

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