FAQs · Destination Guide
Gateway to Mexico's wild offshore atoll and the healthiest reefs in the Caribbean Mexico
Updated Oct 30, 2025 • 23 sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers sourced from research and local operating patterns.
Plan May - September for the highest chance of calm seas and successful crossings. Water is typically 28°C with light to moderate trades. November - March brings periodic nortes that can close the port and postpone offshore trips. If Chinchorro is your priority, book several potential boat days, keep your schedule flexible, and use inshore Mahahual or Xcalak reefs as great backup plans.
Chetumal (CTM) is the nearest airport at about 142 km by road. Tulum International (TQO) sits roughly 209 km away. Both routes are straightforward highway drives. Limited ADO/Caribe buses connect daily, but many divers use pre-booked shuttles or rental cars, especially if carrying gear. Cancun (CUN) is the major hub about 330 km away with the widest flight options.
Expect the Quintana Roo VISITAX for foreign visitors, plus daily conservation bracelets where you enter protected waters. Banco Chinchorro has a per-person daily fee, and Arrecifes de Xcalak National Park requires a daily bracelet. Many operators include these in trip pricing. Ask ahead and keep pesos handy for on-site checks.
No. In-water crocodile encounters and photo swims are not authorized in the Biosphere Reserve. You may see crocodiles near ranger stations or lagoons from safe, designated areas, but entering the water near them is prohibited. Follow ranger instructions at all times and prioritize wildlife welfare and personal safety.
Water usually ranges from 26°C in winter to 29°C in late summer. Inshore Mahahual sites are warm and clear on calm days; Chinchorro often delivers excellent visibility over spur-and-groove reefs and walls. Summer can be glassy; winter fronts may add surface chop. Bring a 3 mm suit if you chill easily.
Sargassum typically arrives in pulses from about April through late summer. It can pile up on beaches and reduce nearshore clarity. Offshore reefs and boat-access patches often remain clear. If shore entries look weedy, book a boat snorkel to reefs outside the sargassum line, or spend a freshwater day at Bacalar Lagoon.
Mahahual has a 24/7 emergency clinic for stabilization. The nearest fully equipped recompression chambers are on Cozumel and in the Riviera Maya, reachable by coordinated evacuation when needed. Carry dive insurance that covers chamber treatment and transport, and give your policy details to your dive operator at check-in.
Chinchorro trips are highly regulated and organized primarily for scuba with permitted operators. Freediving there is not standard and may be restricted. Most visiting freedivers train on Mahahual's inshore reefs or charter boats for line work in protected areas. Always use a freedive buoy, flag, and certified buddy, and confirm any site rules with your captain.
Pack an SMB and whistle for all boat dives, a rashguard or light suit, reef-safe sunscreen, and reliable antiemetics for offshore crossings. A small dry bag protects phones and documents on long boat rides. Photographers should bring red filters or strobes for reef color at 10 m-20 m.