Adventures

Diving Banco Chinchorro, the western hemisphere's largest coral atoll, is on most seasoned divers´ shortlist. It has earned a reputation as one of the last unspoiled dive destinations this side of the world, and certainly in the Caribbean. It benefits from being both remote, inaccesible and with access requiring special permits from the Mexican Federal Government.

There really aren´t words to describe what it feels to explore Banco Chinchorro, to know that you are probabbly the only dive boat diving an atoll that sprawls 600 square miles (less of 1% is above water) that has been witness to almost 200 wrecks dating back to the 16th century. It is one of those places whose sheer beauty and immensity is overwhelming.

Banco Chinchorro lies 36 nautical miles of open ocean from our pier in Xcalak, the oldest town on the Mexican Caribbean coast, making it a challenge to go to Chinchorro on most days, the summer months being the most suitable for the journey.

The expeditions to Chinchorro are subject, first, good weather conditions -it is important that sea conditions are favorable- and, second, to a minimum number of divers -a group of minimum 5 divers is required-.

There is a Ranger station on Cayo centro that we can visit if time permits where one can visit crocodile-filled lagoons, admire endemic giant iguanas and hike trails specially designed for environmental interpretation.

The atoll is famous thanks to the black coral, its nurse sharks, its turtles, its crocodiles, its lobsters and pink snails but it has also archaeological sites formed by wrecks. An underwater cemetery that hosts up to 69 historical boats from Sixteenth Century to nowadays.

Diving spots:

CORAL NEGRO
It is the indispensable diving in your first visit to this place. Located in the North-East side of the atoll, it is formed by a sand slope where big coral structures stand out. It is full of sea life and the average depth is 65 feet.

GINGER SOUL
When the sea conditions allow it, you can go to see this wreck located in the East of the atoll. It is a cargo ship, a Nineteenth century steamer, that still has all its machinery spread all over a very healthy and clean shallow reef. The most famous part: its huge propeller.

EL ACUARIO
Naturally, Chinchorro has also its "Aquarium". A place full of marine life which landscape combines coral reef and white sand. The nurse sharks are very common here and they use to be very curious.

40 CAÑONES
This is the most known wreck in Chinchorro. A war ship from Seventeenth century -probable in a battle- in a big sandbank at 26 feet in depth. The boat's wood structure has already disappeared but it is still possible to see 30 bronze canyons.

SANTA TERESITA
It is formed by a beautiful coral wall, steep but not very deep (58 feet maximum). It is very common to see morays, lobsters, groupers, parrot fishes and turtles. If you look further to the blue, maybe you will also see a shark crossing.

CALDERAS
It is another wreck located in the north side, close to Cayo Lobos -where nowadays there is a navy base-. It is a Nineteenth century steamer merchant and it is known due to its huge boiler that almost reaches the water surface. It is a shallow and calm diving.

Come and enjoy the most pristine underwater sites the Caribbean has to offer! Besides being a critter and soft coral paradise to the trained (and not so trained) eye, you will most definitely notice how all marine life is oblivious to divers since they hardly see any, are very approachable and willing to interact, wich makes for fantastic photo opportunities.

Book your spot with a deposit of 15% and in case we can't make the expedition to Chinchorro we will refund 100% of your deposit.