## Is Scuba Diving Good in Puerto Vallarta?
Puerto Vallarta is a popular tourist destination in Mexico, known for its beautiful beaches, stunning sunsets, and vibrant culture. But is it also a good place to go scuba diving?
The answer is a resounding yes! Puerto Vallarta offers some of the best scuba diving in Mexico, with a wide variety of dive sites, marine life, and visibility.
### Dive Sites
Puerto Vallarta has over 30 dive sites within easy reach of the city, including:
* **The Los Arcos National Marine Park:** This is one of the most popular dive sites in Puerto Vallarta, and for good reason. The park is home to a wide variety of marine life, including turtles, dolphins, and manta rays. The visibility is usually excellent, and there are dive sites for all levels of experience.
* **The Marietas Islands:** These islands are located about an hour by boat from Puerto Vallarta, and they offer some of the best diving in the area. The islands are home to a variety of marine life, including sea lions, turtles, and sharks. The visibility is often excellent, and there are dive sites for all levels of experience.
* **The Corbetena Reef:** This reef is located about 30 minutes by boat from Puerto Vallarta. It is home to a variety of marine life, including turtles, dolphins, and humpback whales. The visibility is usually excellent, and there are dive sites for all levels of experience.
### Marine Life
Puerto Vallarta is home to a wide variety of marine life, including:
* **Fish:** There are over 500 species of fish found in the waters off Puerto Vallarta, including tuna, marlin, sailfish, and wahoo.
* **Marine mammals:** Puerto Vallarta is home to a variety of marine mammals, including dolphins, sea lions, and humpback whales.
* **Sea turtles:** Puerto Vallarta is home to five species of sea turtles, including the green sea turtle, the hawksbill sea turtle, and the loggerhead sea turtle.
* **Sharks:** There are over 20 species of sharks found in the waters off Puerto Vallarta, including the great white shark, the tiger shark, and the hammerhead shark.
### Visibility
The visibility in Puerto Vallarta is usually excellent, with an average of 50-100 feet. This makes it a great place to go scuba diving, as you can see a lot of the marine life and coral reefs.
### When to Go
The best time to go scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta is from November to April, when the water is warm and the visibility is at its best. However, you can go scuba diving year-round, as the water temperature is never below 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
### Tips
Here are a few tips for scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta:
* **Book your dive trip in advance:** Puerto Vallarta is a popular destination, so it is important to book your dive trip in advance, especially if you are traveling during the peak season.
* **Choose a reputable dive operator:** There are a number of dive operators in Puerto Vallarta, so it is important to do your research and choose a reputable operator.
* **Get certified:** If you are not already certified, you can get certified in Puerto Vallarta. There are a number of dive shops that offer certification courses.
* **Bring your own gear:** If you have your own scuba gear, it is best to bring it with you. This will save you money and ensure that you have the right gear for your dives.
* **Be prepared for the weather:** The weather in Puerto Vallarta can be unpredictable, so it is important to be prepared for all types of weather conditions.
* **Have fun!** Scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta is an amazing experience, so make sure to have fun and enjoy the underwater world.
## Conclusion
Puerto Vallarta is a great place to go scuba diving, with a wide variety of dive sites, marine life, and visibility. If you are looking for a scuba diving destination in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is a great option.