Mazatlan, Mexico

Author: Todd

Just got back from a visit to Mazatlan, Mexico and thought I should post a report on the diving there.

We were warned upon arrival (US Navy port visit) that the diving was awful. Well, a few of us were stubborn and had to find out the truth for ourselves, after all Mazatlan is awful close to Cabo!

It wasn't easy finding a dive operator, but after asking around I found out about an operation off the beach of the EL Cid El Moro Resort. The cost was $50 for a one-tank trip and included the gear. This was in January and we were given shorties to wear (mistake!).

The operation was run by Arturo, and the operation was pretty smooth. We were loaded into a skiff and helped push the boat off the beach into the water. There are a couple of island just off the coast of Mazatlan and we went to the southernmost one. The visibility was really bad and the divemaster asked one of us to stick our head in the water and check out the vis. He said he couldn't see the boat!

We tried again at another spot, vis was a little better and we went for it. Visibility was at most 20', more like 15'. The water was about 68 and there was no current or surge. Sea life: rays were plentiful as were lobster. Tropical fish were there but not in abundance. Puffer fish and an eel rounded out the sealife. Asked the divemaster if he'd ever seen a whale shark and he said he had not. Some fishing buddies off the ship had seen one on a previous visit.

A full 3mm wetsuit would have been more suited, we were all shivering by the end of the dive! I told Arturo this. He stated that he understood and would start handing out full suits.

30' max, 54 minutes. OK dive. If you are going to be there anyway, go for it, but I wouldn't recommend Mazatlan as a dive destination.

As a beach and party destination however, it was great!!!