National-park reefs, calm bays, and whale season on Oaxaca's Pacific coast
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Overview
Bahias de Huatulco is a compact Pacific-coast base where most dives and snorkels happen inside or adjacent to Parque Nacional Huatulco, a protected marine and coastal area with coral communities, rocky reefs, and sandy coves. Base in La Crucecita for local restaurants and easy logistics, or in Tangolunda for resort beaches, then head to Santa Cruz Marina for short boat rides to signature sites like La Entrega and Isla Montosa. The park has posted visitor rules and an entry fee, and it explicitly discourages sunscreen use in the water, so plan on long-sleeve sun protection and reef-safe habits. Dry season (roughly Nov to Apr) brings reliable beach weather, while the rainy season (roughly Jun to Nov) turns the hills lush and can add afternoon showers. From Oct to Apr, humpback whales migrate along the coast, making whale watching a trip-defining add-on. Overall, Huatulco is ideal for divers traveling with non-divers, families, and anyone pairing ocean time with Oaxaca food and culture.
Bahias de Huatulco is a planned coastal destination with three practical bases:
The coastline is a chain of bays, many only reachable by boat, and a large portion sits inside Parque Nacional Huatulco.
Expect Pacific Mexico "reef and rock" diving: coral communities mixed with boulders, ledges, and sand patches that attract rays, turtles, eels, and schools of reef fish. Typical recreational depths run from 6 m to 30 m with visibility often around 10 m to 25 m depending on swell and runoff.
Parque Nacional Huatulco is a protected area with international recognition (Ramsar site and UNESCO Man and the Biosphere program). Follow the park's guidance:
Huatulco works best for:
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Last updated: January 23, 2026 • 15 sources
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Trip callouts
Much of the diving and snorkeling is inside Parque Nacional Huatulco, a marine-coastal protected area with published visitor regulations and an entry fee that supports management.
Huatulco's nine bays and 36 beaches create a natural menu of half-day boat trips: snorkel coves in the morning, then return to town for lunch and a nap.
Humpback whales migrate along the Oaxaca coast (commonly cited Oct to Apr), making it easy to add a dedicated whale-watch day between dive days.
Santa Cruz Marina departures plus short boat rides mean you can do a two-tank morning and still have the afternoon free for beaches, ruins, or mezcal.
Huatulco markets itself as a sustainability-focused destination and the municipality highlights multiple Blue Flag certified beaches (recertified for 2025).
scuba
Why Huatulco for Scuba Diving
Huatulco delivers boat diving in and around a national park setting: compact rides from Santa Cruz Marina to rocky reefs, coral communities, and sandy patches where turtles, rays, and macro life show up on the same dive. Most operators run relaxed two-tank mornings, which pairs well with topside Oaxaca adventures. Local dive centers like Hurricane Divers and Huatulco Dive Center focus on small-group guiding and training, and many sites sit in beginner-friendly bays while still offering deeper structure for advanced profiles.
freedive
Why Huatulco for Freediving
Huatulco is a practical freedive destination when you want warm Pacific water, calm morning bays, and easy logistics for training and exploration. Sheltered coves like La Entrega and Maguey offer comfortable entry points for static and dynamic sessions, while boat access opens deeper structure at Isla Montosa on calm days. Dedicated freedive schools are less common than in Mexico's classic freedive hubs, so most travelers organize sessions via local dive operators or private boat captains.
snorkel
Why Huatulco for Snorkeling
Huatulco is one of Mexico's easiest Pacific snorkeling bases because several bays have shallow reef structure close to shore, plus boat tours can hop between coves in a single morning. La Entrega is the headline spot for fish life in calm water, while San Agustin and Maguey add more beach amenities. Because much of the coastline sits inside Parque Nacional Huatulco, expect clear guidance on wildlife etiquette and a strong conservation focus.
topside
What to do when you're not in the water
Huatulco is built for split itineraries: morning boat time, then food and culture in the afternoon. Between dives you can hike national-park trails, explore the Copalita ruins, chase waterfalls in the Sierra Madre del Sur, or do a coffee and mezcal tasting circuit. The destination also leans into sustainability, with the municipality highlighting multiple Blue Flag certified beaches, and Huatulco hosts a World Triathlon Cup race in June 2026.
