Acuario - Yucatán Cenotes
Acuario gets its name for a reason, and it’s one we really enjoy for a relaxed morning or afternoon. While it's a shallow dive, topping out around 13 metres, it’s not just a sandy bottom. You’ll find some genuinely nice coral patches, particularly the robust Elkhorn coral, which is always a treat to see thriving. We’ve seen everything from schooling French grunts that shimmer in the sun, to the more elusive Chain Moray tucked into crevices. Keep an eye out for Sammy Johnson, the Puffer, and those surprisingly colourful Barber fish darting around. The real draw here, for us, is the sheer variety of smaller life. It's a fantastic spot for macro photography if you're into that, with plenty of opportunities to spot things like Spiny Brittle Stars or the curiously named Cook and Cluck fish. While the occasional Leatherback or Green Turtle might cruise by, Acuario consistently delivers on its promise of a vibrant, fish-filled experience without needing to go deep. It’s perfect for new divers building confidence or for experienced eyes wanting to slow down and truly observe. Visibility usually hangs around 19 metres, offering clear views of the busy reef.
- Location
- Yucatán Cenotes, Mexico, North America
- Coordinates
- 18.719800, -87.700300
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Arrecifes de Xcalak
Nearby Dive Sites in Yucatán Cenotes
- Acuario (reef)
- Akumal Reef (reef)
- Akumal Reef (wreck)
- Angelita Cenote - 30-60m (cenote)
- Bahia Príncipe (reef)
- Bahia Príncipe (wreck)
- Blue Ha Reef (reef)
- Casa Cenote (reef)
- Cenote Angelita (cenote)
- Cenote Angelita (reef)
- Cenote Angelita (cenote)
- Cenote Azul - 5-15m (cenote)
- Cenote Calavera (cenote)
- Cenote Carwash (cenote)
- Cenote Car Wash (Aktun Ha) (cave)
Nearest Dive Centres to Acuario
- Dive Life SCUBA
- MAR ADENTRO DIVING - PADI, SSI
Marine Life in Yucatán Cenotes
Home to 425 recorded species including 340 reef fish, 30 hard corals, 14 other, 13 sharks & rays, 6 crabs & lobsters, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs.
Notable Species
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
- Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) - Hard Corals
- French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- Sheephead (Microspathodon chrysurus) - Reef Fish
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
- Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
- Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
- Bluestriped Grunt (Haemulon sciurus) - Reef Fish
- Mustard hill coral (Porites astreoides) - Hard Corals
- Coney (Cephalopholis fulva) - Reef Fish
- Cola (Ocyurus chrysurus) - Reef Fish
- Doctorfish (Acanthurus chirurgus) - Reef Fish
- Gutong (Scarus iseri) - Reef Fish
- Spiny Brittle Star (Ophiocoma echinata)