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Two scuba divers with gear exploring the deep blue ocean, captured under natural light.
📷 Sébastien Vincon · Pexels

El Farito

3.9 — based on 18 community signals
4.2 12 species 28 contributors

El Farito is a year-round Mexican dive site with 12 species observations and healthy coral conditions.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
YearRoundPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Marine life
Great barracuda

Top operators here

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Map

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

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
3.4 kn
Wave
0.68 m
Water
29.4°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: ESE (40%)
Now: ENE (57°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.28m

Next: High at 05:00 (+0m)

+0.1 m0 m-0.2 m
▲ 05:00 · +0m ▼ 11:00 · -0.18m ▲ 17:00 · -0.06m ▼ 22:00 · -0.17m Now -0.1m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV5.85 · mod Air PM2.55 · good 06:35 18:47
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 3.9 0.7 6 7mm
09-19 5.2 0.62 8 9mm
09-20 8.8 0.58 8 8mm
09-21 8.3 0.58 8 10mm
09-22 6.6 0.52 8 7mm
09-23 7.9 0.58 7 3mm
09-24 5.6 0.58 6 3mm

About this spot

El Farito offers consistent diving opportunities throughout the year off the Mexican coast. The site draws divers interested in marine biodiversity, with documented observations of 12 distinct species in the area. Current coral bleaching assessments show no stress, indicating healthy reef conditions at the time of last evaluation. The site is not located within a marine protected area, meaning access is straightforward without additional permit requirements. Visual documentation from the dive community—three videos are available—provides reference material for planning your visit. Divers considering El Farito should research current conditions and consult with local operators before booking. Seasonal variations in Mexican dive sites can affect visibility and water conditions, so confirming details with on-site experts is essential. The available species data and community content offer a starting point for understanding what to expect.

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

Marine life

Great barracuda

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 ↔ 7926km · ~1823kg · €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 El Farito?

El Farito can be dived year-round. Check with local operators for current seasonal conditions, as weather and water clarity vary by month along the Mexican coast.

What marine life will I see at El Farito?

Twelve species have been documented at El Farito. The site supports diverse marine life in healthy coral conditions with no current bleaching stress.

Do I need permits or MPA approvals to dive here?

El Farito is not inside a marine protected area, so no special permits are required beyond standard Mexican diving regulations. Confirm requirements locally before your trip.

Where can I find more information about El Farito?

Three community videos documenting El Farito are available online. Contact local dive operators in Mexico for depth, difficulty, water temperature, and visibility details.

Operators near this spot

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

Mexico Divers

1.4 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mo-Sa 08:00-20:00

Casa del Buceo

1.3 km
4.9 (196 reviews) open now
Dive centre
Verified Booked 50+ times this month
Hours: Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Sea Hawk Divers

1.7 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

62 records · 48 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Thalassema

Polychaeta · Thalassematidae
OBIS
Last seen:
15 Oct 2021
×2records
Depth:
30 m

Dasybranchus caducus

Polychaeta · Capitellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
15 Oct 2021
×2records
Depth:
30–54 m

Pyura gangelion

Ascidiacea · Pyuridae
OBIS
Last seen:
15 Oct 2021
×1records
Depth:
54 m

Mytilus

Bivalvia · Mytilidae
OBIS
Last seen:
15 Oct 2021
×1records
Depth:
54 m

Heterobranchia

Gastropoda
OBIS
Last seen:
15 Oct 2021
×1records
Depth:
54 m

Excirolana braziliensis

Malacostraca · Cirolanidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Apr 2019
×3records
Depth:
0 m

Mexorchestia carpenteri raduloviciae

Malacostraca · Talitridae
OBIS
Last seen:
31 Mar 2019
×1records
Depth:
0 m

Ophionereis squamulosa

Ophiuroidea · Ophionereididae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jan 2013
×1records
Depth:
1 m

Turbinella angulata

Gastropoda · Turbinellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Nov 2009
×1records

Cassis tuberosa

Gastropoda · Cassidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Nov 2009
×1records

Rhincodon typus

Whale Shark
Elasmobranchii · Rhincodontidae
OBIS
Last seen:
3 Sept 2009
×8records

Rhincodon typus

Whale Shark
Elasmobranchii · Rhincodontidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Jul 2008
×1records

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.

Snorkeling @ El Farito.

aomusik

Mexico Isla Mujeres Media Luna Reef dive

WolffLive

El FARITO THE LIGHTHOUSE

VISIT ISLA MUJERES MÉXICO
wind peaks Mar-Apr-Jan, calmest Nov-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)

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