About Jardines
Jardines is a renowned shallow reef dive located off the coast of Playa del Carmen, Mexico, nestled within the vast Mesoamerican Barrier Reef system. This vibrant underwater landscape is celebrated for its excellent conditions, making it an ideal entry point for new divers and a relaxing exploration for more experienced enthusiasts. The site features a gently sloping reef structure, primarily spanning depths of 7 to 13 meters. Divers navigate through coral ridges, sandy channels, and around numerous coral heads, encountering small caves and natural shelters that house various marine species. The topography lends itself to easy navigation and extended bottom times, allowing for thorough exploration of its intricate formations. Marine life at Jardines is diverse and abundant. You can anticipate sightings of colorful reef fish, spotted eagle rays, nurse sharks, and sea turtles. The reef is also home to stingrays, moray eels, and lobsters, all supported by healthy corals and sponges. While marine life is always present, specific encounters can vary, providing a unique experience with each visit. Typically dived as a shallow reef, Jardines is suitable for Open Water divers and often used for training dives or refreshers. Dives are usually part of a two-tank trip, with the exact site selection influenced by daily conditions, current, visibility, and diver certification. Its generally mild currents and clear waters contribute to a comfortable and enjoyable dive experience.
Highlights
Shallow coral reef formationsSpotted eagle raysNurse sharksSea turtlesVibrant reef fish schoolsSmall caves and sheltersHealthy corals and sponges
Best Season
Diving in Playa del Carmen, including Jardines, is possible year-round, with water temperatures consistently between 25°C and 28°C. April through October offers especially calm surface conditions and warm waters, while visibility generally averages around 21 meters throughout the year.
Dive site facts: Jardines
- Depth
- 7–13 m
- Current
- Mild
- Entry
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Level
- Beginner
- Dive type
- Reef, Reef
- Region / port
- Mexico
- Coordinates
- 20.8273° N, 86.8720° W
Conditions & Currents
Jardines is characterized by typically mild currents, making it an excellent site for beginners and relaxed diving. However, like many reef sites, currents can occasionally strengthen depending on daily conditions. Divers can expect good visibility, averaging around 21 meters, which enhances the enjoyment of the reef's rich marine life. The site is commonly dived using standard entry and exit techniques from a boat, without the need for specialized methods like negative entries or reef hooks due to its generally calm nature. Its accommodating conditions mean it's suitable for Open Water certified divers and is often chosen for training dives or refreshers, allowing for comfortable, extended bottom times.
Why dive Jardines from a liveaboard?
Jardines 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 Jardines on their Mexico itineraries.
Liveaboards diving Jardines
These liveaboards may visit Jardines 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
$392/day
Nautilus Gallant Lady
Mexico
12 guests35.36 m
$332/day
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
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- Access
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- Theme
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
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- Intermediate
- Current
- No current
- Access
- Shore / dayboat
- Depth
- ≤ 30 m
- Theme
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