Scuba diving in

Cancun and Isla Mujeres

Cancun was the Yucatan Peninsula's first tourist development, founded in the 1970s. And, while its current incarnation bears little resemblance to the original sleepy seaside village, the city hasn't entirely lost its charm. Unfortunately, irresponsible tourist expansion once reigned supreme, and Cancun's natural areas suffered the consequences. But, in recent years, the Mexican government has dialled back the development and refocused its attention on sustainable construction with fewer mass-market tourist attractions. That said, Cancun still feels more like a city than any other destination in the Yucatan region.

Right next door, Isla Mujeres has always been a slower-paced alternative to Cancun's diving and party scene. And, because much of the island was designated a national park, stricter protections were in place to guide construction. You'll find less pavement, less people, and less party once you're on the island - ideal for a more down to earth stay. Isla Mujeres also offers far more options for your own exploration, including snorkelling and beachcombing.

Diving, snorkelling, and other watersports are the main attractions around Cancun and Isla Mujeres. But beach bums will find plenty to do thanks to this region's relaxed Caribbean atmosphere and stunning backdrop of swaying palms, turquoise sea and white tropical sand.

No matter where you're visiting in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, there's a good chance your adventure will start at the Cancun International Airport. The region's main transit hub and Latin America's third busiest airport is especially well connected, with direct flights to Europe, US and Canada, and beyond.

If you're staying in Cancun, getting to your hotel is easy, with shuttle services, taxis, rental cars, and public busses all departing directly from the airport. And, most resorts and dive centres are also happy to help you arrange transfers. Once in town, navigation is a breeze with taxi ranks in front of every resort and public parking for rental cars.

If you're heading out to Isla Mujeres, you'll need to head to the ferry terminal and make the crossing. Departures are every half hour, and it takes just 15 minutes to reach the island. Isla Mujeres is small enough that walking or riding a bike can get you where you want to go in minutes, but if you're hoping to explore the uninhabited north end of the island, a quick scooter or golf cart ride is best, as there is little shade along the way.

Cancun and Isla Mujeres have two totally different personalities, despite being so close to one another. And as they share many dive sites, most visitors determine where to stay based on what kind of holiday they're hoping for. 

Cancun has a classic Mexican seaside resort ambience with high-rise hotels, myriad options for dining and drinking, plenty of pumping nightlife, and a manicured "malecon" or seaside promenade. But, if you leave the hotel zone and head downtown, you'll find authentic Mexican food and culture to enjoy as well. Staying on the mainland has a few advantages, especially if you're hoping to combine diving with other land-based activities, or head south to explore the cenotes around Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

Isla Mujeres has a much more relaxed atmosphere overall. The island is home to resorts, but on a smaller scale, and the island is perfectly walkable - although rental scooters and golf carts are ideal for getting around. You'll also notice that the island has more local eateries, small guest houses, and far fewer splashy nightclubs - though there's still plenty of nightlife by way of beach bars. Because Isla Mujeres is ringed with white sand and coral reefs, it's an excellent option for guests who are hoping to swim, snorkel, and relax on the beach when they aren't busy diving.

Cancun and Isla Mujeres enjoy a warm tropical climate year round, with sunny afternoons topping out at between 28 - 32°C. Water temperatures fluctuate between 26 - 29°C with the warmest months falling between June and October. During these same rainy months, visibility can be reduced from 30 metres down to 15 metres or less, thanks to surge and runoff from the rain. During January and February, evenings and early mornings can be cool and breezy, but the days offer the ideal range of temperatures for outdoor activities - and fewer mosquitoes. Throughout the rainy season, downpours are the norm, but a little bit of rainfall is normal no matter when you plan to visit.

The region's storm season technically runs from May through November, though tropical depressions and hurricanes most commonly affect Cancun and Isla Mujeres between August and November. The shoulder months of the rainy season can bring wind and fast-moving weather patterns, sometimes impacting diving conditions with waves and surge.

While November through April could be considered the busy season, there are two main peaks to avoid if you're hoping to skip the tourist crowds. These are Christmas and New Year holidays and "Semana Santa", the Mexican vacation period associated with Easter week. Most divers will prefer to visit during summer months like May and June or just before the holiday rush in November. Keep in mind, the region's legendary whale shark aggregation only takes place between May and September.

In 1996, Mexico launched a programme to begin transforming much of the Yucatan Peninsula and its surrounding reef system into protected marine areas. Today, hundreds of kilometres around Isla Mujeres, Cancun, and nearby Puerto Morelos have been incorporated, and includes UNESCO World Heritage sites and Biospheres. These nature preserves protect a wide variety of species including migratory birds. Arrecife Alacranes is also designated as a national park.

If you're hoping to get involved with conservation during your time in Cancun or Isla Mujeres, you're in luck. Numerous environmental organisations accept volunteers, focusing on reef restoration and individual species such as sea turtles and manta rays.