Mexico

Dive Site: Fish Market

0–11 mBeginner Reef
© EsriSource: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar, GIS Community · Labels © Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS

Which liveaboards dive Fish Market?

About Fish Market

Fish Market is a vibrant shallow reef located in the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Situated just an eight-minute boat ride from the Marina, this site is renowned for its exceptional abundance of marine life, earning its evocative name. It provides an ideal setting for divers seeking substantial schools of fish and a pristine coral environment. The dive site features a largely uniform depth, reaching a maximum of 9 to 10.7 meters (30 to 35 feet). While generally flat, the reef is dotted with soft corals and offers plenty of intricate structures to explore. Divers can expect long bottom times due to its shallow nature. The topography supports a high density of fish, making it a compelling location for underwater photography. The site is teeming with marine life throughout the year. You'll encounter numerous schools, often containing 50-100 fish, primarily composed of various grunt species and parrotfish. Other common reef fish are also present, alongside schools of 'sailors choice'. It's also a hotspot for eels, with sightings of large green morays and smaller blue-striped eels. Occasional encounters with sharks, whales, dolphins, and turtles are possible. Fish Market is an excellent choice for novice divers and those looking for relaxed exploration. Its gentle conditions and abundant fish life provide a rewarding experience, typically allowing for extended dives and multiple photographic opportunities.

Highlights

Abundant grunt schoolsNumerous parrotfishLarge green moray eelsDiverse common reef fishSailors choice schoolsPristine shallow reef

Season calendar

Best months to dive here
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Excellent
Good

Nov – Apr (Peak)

Socorro season open (Nov–May) for giant mantas and hammerheads. Cozumel bull sharks Dec–Mar. Cenotes excellent year-round. Best overall conditions.

May – Oct (Transition & Sea of Cortez)

Socorro closing, Cozumel still good. Whale sharks arrive at Isla Mujeres Jun–Sep. From August, the Sea of Cortez comes alive: Midriff Islands offer massive sea lion colonies and schooling mobulas. September and October bring world-class diving around La Paz and Cabo Pulmo with whale sharks, hammerheads, and bull sharks on the Explore Baja route.

Dive site facts: Fish Market

Depth
0–11 m
Current
Moderate
Entry
Liveaboard or dayboat
Level
Beginner
Dive type
Reef, Reef
Region / port
Mexico
Coordinates
20.8291° N, 86.8775° W

Conditions & Currents

Information regarding current strength, direction, slack dependency, entry/exit techniques, surge, thermoclines, or specific visibility swings for Fish Market is not detailed in the provided sources. However, the site's suitability for novice divers and extended bottom times suggests generally mild and manageable conditions. Divers can anticipate comfortable diving in waters with temperatures typically in the low 80s Fahrenheit (around 27-28°C), making a 3mm wetsuit suitable.

Why dive Fish Market from a liveaboard?

Fish Market is one of Mexico's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.

Below are the liveaboards that include Fish Market on their Mexico itineraries.

Liveaboards diving Fish Market

These liveaboards may visit Fish Market on selected itineraries, the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Nautilus Explorer liveaboard at Fish Market

Nautilus Explorer

Mexico

25 guests45 m
Valentina liveaboard at Fish Market

Valentina

Mexico

20 guests38 m
Rocio del Mar liveaboard at Fish Market

Rocio del Mar

Mexico

20 guests34 m
Nautilus Under Sea liveaboard at Fish Market

Nautilus Under Sea

Mexico

19 guests32 m
Nautilus Belle Amie liveaboard at Fish Market

Nautilus Belle Amie

Mexico

32 guests45 m
Quino del Mar liveaboard at Fish Market

Quino del Mar

Mexico

20 guests36 m
Nautilus Gallant Lady liveaboard at Fish Market

Nautilus Gallant Lady

Mexico

12 guests35 m

Dive sites similar to Fish Market

Same character, same waters, six more sites divers love for the exact same reasons.Compare seasons, access and liveaboard routes, then pick the site that fits your trip best.
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

3 Fathom Wall

Cayman Islands

3 Fathom Wall is an exciting and fish-filled dive site located in the Cayman Islands, specifically at the intersection of the renowned Bloody Bay Wall.

Suitable for
Intermediate
Current
Mild
Access
Liveaboard only
Depth
≤ 3000 m
Theme
Reef
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

3 Riff

Dominican Republic

While specific details for a dive site named "3 Riff" are not present in the provided sources, general diving conditions and characteristics for the Dominican Republic…

Suitable for
Advanced
Current
Mild
Access
Dayboat
Depth
30–55 m
Theme
Reef
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

3 Rocks

Dominican Republic

The dive site known as 3 Rocks is located off the coast of Sosúa in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, offering an accessible and lively underwater experience.

Suitable for
Beginner
Current
Mild
Access
Dayboat
Depth
2–8 m
Theme
Reef
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

4 Amigos

Honduras

4 Amigos is a notable dive site located in the Bay Islands of Honduras, an area renowned for its extensive Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which is the world's second-longest.

Suitable for
Intermediate
Current
Moderate
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
9–40 m
Theme
Reef
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

The dive site known as "6 Toed Cat" is not a recognized dive location in Mexico; rather, it refers to the polydactyl felines, many with six toes, that inhabit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, Florida.

Suitable for
Beginner
Current
Mild
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
—
Theme
Reef
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Aaron's Backyard is a noted dive site within the Roatan Marine Park in Honduras, part of the extensive Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.

Suitable for
Intermediate
Current
Moderate
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
9–40 m
Theme
Reef

7 liveaboards run the Fish Market route.

Three to four guided dives a day on Fish Market and the other signature sites in Mexico, sleeping right above the reef.