- Animal
- Time of year
- Area, Country or Location
- Type
- Experience
- Can see
Beginner
Intermediate
Expert
Shore Day Trip Live Aboard
Family Friendly
Country: Mexico Area: Mexico
Water Temp: 24 - 32°C (75 - 90°F)
Visibility: 3 - 20m (10 - 66 ft)
Depth Range: 5 - 32m (16 - 105 ft)
Book A Diving Trip OnlineZihuatanejo is a quiet Mexican fishing town that neighbours the resort centered town of Ixtapa. While it has developed extensively since the 1970s, the town retains an old world Mexican charm alongside modern amenities and, great diving.
Book A Dive Center OnlineZihuatanejo is small fishing village in the Mexican Pacific Ocean coast. Its surrounded by mountains and it has a pleasant climate averaging temperatures of 28°C / 82F all year round. It's really rather beautiful. The golden beaches with soft waves and its picturesqueness are the general draws for tourishts to the area.
Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo offers ecotourism activities such as the release of endangered turtle hatchlings, as well as the observation of crocodiles, iguanas and birds in the mangroves.
Starfish, Credit
This section of the Pacific Ocean has great temperatures year round, great people and at very reasonable prices. On a dive in these calm waters, you can see eagle rays, whale sharks, many many sting rays, moray eels, sea horses, nudibranchs in this side of the world. A lucky few will be able to see sea turtles or a big manta ray.
Visibility ranges between 10 and 80 feet, with generally very minimal currents.
Aerial view of Zihuatanejo, Credit
There is pleasant tropical weather year round. Peak tourist season occurs during the North American winter, with a number of yachts pulling into the harbour.
The rainy season lasts from June to October, with hurricanes passing through in the final two months. Temperatures are fairly consistent throughout the year, hitting an average high of 31 º C and a low of 20 ºC. March until May are slightly cooler.
The average ocean temperature ranges between 79 ºC and 82 º C over the course of the year.
Zihuatanejo sand and huts, Credit
Rapid commercial development and population growth have significantly threatened the surrounding marine ecosystems. In 2003, a number of beaches in the bay were said to have ‘unacceptably high’ levels of bacterial contamination. Since the Mexican environmental agency published that study, a number of conservation initiatives have been put into place – though they still compete with commercial development.
A number of development projects have been halted while further studies are conducted on the level of degradation. Currently, commercial operators lead a handful of conservation initiatives, spanning from underwater cleanups to turtle conservation, though a more concerted approach is likely needed.
Eel, Credit
Most questions are answered by our
diving community within 24 hours
There are two shore dive sites, well suited to those learning to scuba dive and snorkelers. Generally, prime dive sites are located further afield.
There are over 30 dive sites, with great marine life including schools of fish and big pelagic life. Turtles, rays and whale sharks are seen occasionally. There are not realy any major wrecks.
Two men diving, Zihuataneho, Credit
Scuba diving enthusiasts there are several places with different depths ranging from 5m/15ft to 30m/100ft with coral reefs and some pelagic dives and swim throughs where different marine species live such as dolphins, whales, whale-sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, nudibranchs, sea horses, frog fish, octopi, moray eels, turtles and sharks.
Diving Zihuatanejo, Credit
Most questions are answered by our
diving community within 24 hours
The International Airport of Ixtapa/Zihuatanjeo is located 13km southeast of town and connects onto a number of Mexican and American destinations.
Zihuatanejo Port, Credit
Long and short distance bus stations are also located just outside of town, and connect Zihuatanejo to all neighbouring and major cities.
Beach Sand, Credit
Most questions are answered by our
diving community within 24 hours
There is a great number of restaurants available for all price ranges, with most located along the Malecon (the beachfront). El Centro (the down town) also has a few good options. Most serve either seafood or traditional Mexican dishes, and Casa Elvira and La Sirena Gorda are both local favourites. Red snapper is a local speciality, and is prepared with either a tomato or a garlic sauce.
Nice view, Zihuatanejo, Credit
There are a few bars in town that are popular on weekends. Bandido’s has live salsa dancing from Thursday to Saturday, while Black Bull Rodeo has cumbia, merengue, salsa and electronica. There is also a small cinema in town that shows three films nightly. Neighbouring Ixtapa has a slightly more lively nightlife.
The beach at night, Credit
Most questions are answered by our
diving community within 24 hours
There are kayak tours and you can also go surfing, one of the best places to practice this sport thanks to its excellent waves is la Saladita or Troncones where surfing tournaments are held.
The hotel zone features from first-class amenities to more affordable hotels, where you will find many different water activities for everyone promising lots of fun and adventure. The people are especially kind and they will make your stay even more pleasant. Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo has ecological reserves, Eco-parks, you can go hiking in the forest or go to Mahahua cave to see the geological formations.
The Casa de la Cultura in El Centro often hosts cultural presentations, bands and art shows. There is a central craft market with over 250 shops featuring a number of local artisans.
Parasailing, Zihuatanejo, Credit
If interested in history, the Museo Arqueologico de la Costa Grande is located at the southern end of the municipal beach, and consists of six rooms that cover history, culture and archeology in the region.
Beaches directly in town are somewhat polluted and not great for spending a day. However, as you move away from the main municipal beach, they become significantly more pleasant. Playa Ropa is a favourite for swimming. archeology in the region.
Most questions are answered by our
diving community within 24 hours
The town of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo is very safe. The crime rate is very low, and you always feel safe walking the streets even at night. Taxis are cheap, safe so you can move in between places with ease.
Beautiful Sunset, Credit
Watch out for your diving providers. Check equipments, and current agency instructor certifications and validity. Make sure you dive whiten the limits that your training agency recommended. Just because the local instructor says its ok, its not necessarily the case! Safety first. Check staff certifications. Refuse to go out on any dives if your dive leader is not certified dive master or professional diver.
There are a number of private clinics in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, and there is a hyperbaric chamber in Ixtapa at Hospital Naval.
This location does not have any dive reports yet.
Why not be the first to write one?
Share it on Twitter 
Share it on Facebook 
Dive Centers
Write a report