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Scuba diver underwater making an okay sign while exploring the seabed with corals.
📷 Diego Sandoval · Pexels

El Garrafon

3.9 — based on 18 community signals
4.3 12 especies 34 colaboradores

El Garrafon is a year-round Mexican dive spot with healthy coral and 12 documented species observations.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Dificultad
Intermedio
PhotoFriendlyBoatEntry

De un vistazo

Actividad
dive
Dificultad
intermediate
Mejores meses
Todo el año
Vida marina
Barracuda, Delfín mular

Mejores operadores aquí

Ver todos los operadores ↓

Mapa

Este spot Operadores POIs Aeropuerto Spots cercanos
Mapa de ubicación de El Garrafon © Google · Datos del mapa © Google, colaboradores
Abrir en Google Maps

Condiciones hoy

Condiciones

Open-Meteo
Viento
6.9 kn
Olas
0.68 m
Agua
29.4°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: ESE (30%)
Now: NE (38°)
Marea (7 días)
amplitud: 0.28m

Próxima: Alta a las 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 Ahora -0.2m
Vie 18Sáb 19Dom 20Lun 21Mar 22Mié 23Jue 24
UV5.85 · mod Aire PM2.55 · good 06:34 18:46
Día Viento Olas UV Lluvia
09-18 7.2 0.7 6 1mm
09-19 10.1 0.62 8 17mm
09-20 8.6 0.58 8 3mm
09-21 13.4 0.58 8 8mm
09-22 12.6 0.52 8 8mm
09-23 10.6 0.58 7 4mm
09-24 9.7 0.58 6 4mm

About this spot

El Garrafon delivers consistent diving opportunities throughout the year. The site supports a diverse marine community with 12 recorded species observations, indicating a healthy ecosystem. Coral bleaching stress is not present, making this a good choice for reef-focused diving. The spot sits outside marine protected areas, which can mean easier access logistics. Community video documentation—three submissions on record—gives you real-world perspective on conditions and marine encounters before you commit. El Garrafon works best as part of a broader Mexico dive itinerary. Local operators can brief you on seasonal variations, currents, and the best approach for your skill level. Pack standard reef gear and check current conditions with dive shops in the area before booking.

📖 Guía: Buceo en México: 51 sitios desde cenotes hasta inmersiones con tiburones

Mejores meses

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

Vida marina

BarracudaDelfín mular

Tipos de buceo

ArrecifeBarco

Esenciales del viaje

Todo lo que necesitas antes de hacer la maleta — checklist, sol, logística.

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
Información de sostenibilidad
🌍 CO2 footprint MAD ↔ 7937km · ~1826kg · €33

Desde tu país de salida

Estados Unidos
Puntuación de origen: 96/100
  • Visado: Sin visado · 90 días máx.
  • Vuelo: 11h · directo
  • Jet-lag: 1h este · 1 día de recuperación

Preguntas frecuentes

When is the best time to dive El Garrafon?

El Garrafon is diveable year-round. Water conditions remain stable throughout the seasons, so plan your trip based on your schedule and regional weather rather than diving constraints.

What depth and difficulty should I expect?

Exact depth and difficulty ratings aren't publicly documented. Contact local dive operators in Mexico for site-specific briefings on bottom depth, current strength, and recommended experience level.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species observations have been recorded at El Garrafon, and the reef shows no coral bleaching stress. Expect typical Mexican reef inhabitants. Community videos offer a preview of common encounters.

Do I need permits or is it inside a marine protected area?

El Garrafon is not within a designated MPA, simplifying access. Check with local dive shops for any regional regulations or operator requirements before your trip.

Operadores cerca de este spot

Centros de buceo, escuelas de kite y surf en un radio de 10 km, desde OpenStreetMap.

Mexico Divers

6.5 km
Centro de buceo
Teléfono: +52 9988771117
Horario: Mo-Sa 08:00-20:00

Manchones I

0.6 km
Centro de buceo

Casa del Buceo

4.4 km
4.9 (196 reviews) open now
Centro de buceo
Verified Booked 50+ times this month
Teléfono: +52 998 230 6951
Horario: Friday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Sea Hawk Divers

7 km
Centro de buceo

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Observaciones verificadas de especies marinas

62 registros · 47 especies · fuentes: OBIS, GBIF

Fabienna sphaerica

Hydrozoa · Magapiidae
OBIS
Última observación:
15 oct 2021
×1registros
Profundidad:
3 m

Sulculeolaria quadrivalvis

Hydrozoa · Diphyidae
OBIS
Última observación:
15 oct 2021
×1registros
Profundidad:
1045 m

Pantachogon haeckeli

Hydrozoa · Rhopalonematidae
OBIS
Última observación:
15 oct 2021
×1registros
Profundidad:
30 m

Excirolana braziliensis

Malacostraca · Cirolanidae
OBIS
Última observación:
1 abr 2019
×2registros
Profundidad:
0 m

Mexorchestia carpenteri raduloviciae

Malacostraca · Talitridae
OBIS
Última observación:
31 mar 2019
×2registros
Profundidad:
0 m

Tellina radiata

Bivalvia · Tellinidae
OBIS
Última observación:
1 nov 2009
×1registros

Rhincodon typus

Whale Shark
Elasmobranchii · Rhincodontidae
OBIS
Última observación:
3 sept 2009
×9registros

Rhincodon typus

Whale Shark
Elasmobranchii · Rhincodontidae
OBIS
Última observación:
26 ago 2008
×3registros

Rhincodon typus

Whale Shark
Elasmobranchii · Rhincodontidae
OBIS
Última observación:
22 jun 2005
×1registros

Acorylus gouldii

Bivalvia · Tellinidae
OBIS
Última observación:
1 mar 1987
×1registros

Ecrobia truncata

Gastropoda · Hydrobiidae
OBIS
Última observación:
1 mar 1987
×1registros

Littorina scutulata

Gastropoda · Littorinidae
OBIS
Última observación:
1 mar 1987
×1registros

Datos: 187.991 observaciones de OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) y GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Barracuda at Garrafon Park, Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Jorge Pelaez

Snorkling / Garrafon Reef / Isla Mujeres / Beautiful Tropical Fish / Rays / Blowfish

Simple Family Life

Descubre el Arrecife de Isla Mujeres | Snorkel en Garrafón Park ✨🐠

Garrafon Park
wind peaks Jan-Feb-Mar, calmest Jul-Aug-Sep, dry Jan-Dec.

Clima mensual de 5 años

60 muestras
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
rango p25–p75 Mediana Viento (nudos) Aire (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Sep (100/100) Worst: Jun (0/100) Now: Sep (100/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

Spots cercanos

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Manchones I

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Principiante Ene·Feb·Mar+
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MUSA Cancun Underwater Museum of Art

Explore MUSA Cancun, an underwater sculpture gallery 40 feet down where art meets marine life in Mexico's Caribbean.

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Isla Mujeres — Bull Shark Cathedral Mexico Buceo
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Isla Mujeres — Bull Shark Cathedral

Advanced dive to 28m at Isla Mujeres' Bull Shark Cathedral, a year-round destination where bull sharks congregate in open water.

Avanzado 22–28m

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