Chinchorro Banks

The Chinchorro Banks are one of the last unspoiled dive destinations this side of the world, and certainly in the Caribbean, the ideal destination to relax and get in touch with nature. Visiting this place is a truly amazing experience. This is a pristine virgin reef with astonishing visibility and a great diversity of fish where you can be sure you will have an unforgettable and unique diving experience. Situated about 20 miles off the coast of Mahahual, 80 km east of the city of Chetumal, Chinchorro is part of the Mesoamerican reef system and covers an area of about 300 sq. miles of which less than one percent is above water.

This is the largest coral island in the Northern Hemisphere, and the only one in Mexican waters. It is approximately 9 miles wide and almost 30 miles long. Here you can find 95 different species of coral and more than 200 different species of fish. The atoll is a continuous reef with six entries to the inner part of the reef. The shallow interior is up to 5 meters deep; in the exterior the dive sites vary from 3 to 40 meters in depth. The reef formation consists of both vertical walls and sloping walls.

As regards water clarity and temperature, visibility ranges from 60 to 200 feet, depending on the wind and sea conditions. Drift dives are done when strong currents are running, but many dives are done on sites with little or no current. During winter, water temperature is cooler, around 70°F, while summer temperatures are around 80°F. A light wetsuit is recommended even if you usually do not wear one. Diving here is an all-day activity with repetitive dives that can diminish body temperature. The best dive spots can be found on the eastern part of the atoll. The reason for this is that this is the place where many Spanish colonial ships and steam ships got stuck on the coral.

Marine life is rich and varied at Chinchorro banks. The reef is home to a spectacular diversity of marine life, and endangered sea turtles are abundant in the inner lagoon. Anemones are also found in great quantities; they are found in bright colors and have tentacles from which tube worms open plankton-trapping “umbrellas” that look like the feathers of exotic birds. Other reef inhabitants include numerous types of shrimp, crab, conch, snail, and worms. Many reef creatures are nocturnal and are rarely active during the day, others, if out, are quite wary. Of the 200 species known until present, the majority are colored tropical fish that tend to swim in schools.

Visiting the Chinchorro Banks is a unique experience not only because the tropical fish, but also the wrecks there. On the windward side of the banks, you can see a wide range of different wrecks from all time periods, everything from tankers and to a sunken German U-boat and XVII-century Spanish galleons. The remnants of at least 18 ships that sank between 1600 and 1800 have been discovered, and the reef has proved to be just as disloyal to modern ships. Chinchorro Banks is the perfect destination for real and intrepid divers. All about this trip is about diving, the experience is truly memorable!

V.T.