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
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
Mexico
25 guests44.8 m
$230/day
Valentina
Mexico
20 guests38.1 m
$430/day
Rocio del Mar
Mexico
20 guests33.5 m
$392/day
Nautilus Under Sea
Mexico
19 guests32 m
$261/day
Nautilus Belle Amie
Mexico
32 guests44.8 m
$323/day
Quino del Mar
Mexico
20 guests36 m
$377/day
Nautilus Gallant Lady
Mexico
12 guests35.36 m
$332/day
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.
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Tak Be Luum
Mexico
Cenote Tak Be Luum, located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, is an exceptional cavern dive that forms part of the vast Sac Actun underwater cave system, one of the world's largest.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- No current
- Access
- Shore / dayboat
- Depth
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- Theme
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Neptune's Finger
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Neptune's Finger is a renowned dive site located in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- Mild
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 4–152 m
- Theme
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Majahuitas
Mexico
Majahuitas is a pristine and secluded cove located on the southern coast of Banderas Bay, near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- Mild
- Access
- Dayboat
- Depth
- 8–14 m
- Theme
- Reef
La Poza is a remarkable dive site located in Xcalak, a serene fishing village situated on Mexico's Caribbean coast, near the Belize border.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Mild
- Access
- Shore / dayboat
- Depth
- 20–25 m
- Theme
- Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
North Wall
Mexico
North Wall is a prominent dive site situated within the protected Cabo San Lucas Marine Park, just a short ten-minute boat journey from the Marina.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- No current
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 5–21 m
- Theme
- Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Siete Bocas
Mexico
Cenote Siete Bocas, meaning "Seven Mouths," is a unique cavern dive site nestled along the Ruta de los Cenotes near Puerto Morelos in Mexico's Riviera Maya.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- No current
- Access
- Shore / dayboat
- Depth
- ≤ 30 m
- Theme
- Reef