Acapulco, Guerrero — Isla Mujeres officials unveiled the island’s first Digital Diving Guide during the 50th anniversary of the Tianguis Turístico de Acapulco, positioning the destination as a leading diving hub in the Mexican Caribbean.
The guide, presented by Mayor Atenea Ricalde Magaña, is a free resource accessible via QR code. It features a detailed map of prime diving sites, highlighting the area’s marine richness and underwater attractions. Isla Mujeres is known as the first point in Mexico to receive the sunrise.
Tourism Director José Jesús Castillo Magaña said the guide aims to revitalize diving, the activity that originally sparked tourism on the island. “Diving not only opened the doors to tourism in Isla Mujeres, but it is also a fundamental part of our identity,” he said. “With this professional guide, we seek to provide a reliable tool for divers to explore safely and consciously.”
The diving segment represents significant economic potential. According to 2024 data for Quintana Roo, the state expects 20.9 million visitors, of whom about 2.4% — roughly 500,000 — dive annually. The island has 16 dive shops and four independent groups operating across 16 to 18 top-tier sites.
The guide documents historic shipwrecks such as the Grand Pin, Atlantis, C5, and C58, with details on depths and difficulty levels for beginners to experts. It also includes the famous Cave of the Sleeping Sharks, discovered by Ramón Bravo and Jacques Cousteau, which put Isla Mujeres on the international scientific and tourist map.
Each site entry includes exact geographic coordinates, required experience level (Open Water, Advanced, Master), and safety recommendations.
Isla Mujeres plans to promote the guide at international dive shows such as DEMA Show in Orlando and key events in California, aiming to attract tourists drawn to the island’s exceptional water clarity and sunrise magic.
Local and independent divers collaborated on the project, contributing knowledge to document these underwater landscapes, many considered well-kept secrets among experts.
Discover more from Riviera Maya News & Events
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.