Scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta
Diving in Puerto Vallarta comes down to water temperature and calm seas. The most comfortable months are April–May and October to January, with highs around 84°F (29°C) and the sea at about 80°F (27°C).
Photo: MutantE AZUL, CC BY-SA 3.0
Top scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta
Scuba Diving Puerto Vallarta Undersea Arcos or MarietasFrom $125View 
Los Arcos Scuba Dive with a 5-Star PADI Center in Puerto VallartaFrom $119View 
Puerto Vallarta Undersea Private Scuba DivingFrom $550View
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How to pick a good dive
- Non-certified divers can try a 'discover scuba' dive with an instructor; certified divers should bring their card and logbook.
- Ask about the water temperature and the wetsuit thickness provided for that month.
- Leave 18 to 24 hours between your last dive and a flight.
- Check group size per guide; four to six divers per guide is a good sign.
Puerto Vallarta month by month
Averages for Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico; sea temperatures offshore, 1991–2020.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 80 (27) | 80 (27) | 81 (27) | 82 (28) | 85 (29) | 89 (32) | 90 (32) | 90 (32) | 90 (32) | 89 (32) | 86 (30) | 82 (28) |
| Low °F (°C) | 62 (17) | 62 (17) | 63 (17) | 66 (19) | 71 (22) | 77 (25) | 77 (25) | 76 (24) | 76 (24) | 75 (24) | 69 (21) | 64 (18) |
| Rainy days | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Sea °F (°C) | 77 (25) | 76 (24) | 75 (24) | 76 (25) | 79 (26) | 83 (28) | 85 (30) | 86 (30) | 86 (30) | 86 (30) | 83 (28) | 79 (26) |
| Sunset (15th) | 6:41 pm | 6:59 pm | 7:10 pm | 7:20 pm | 7:31 pm | 7:43 pm | 7:45 pm | 7:31 pm | 7:04 pm | 6:37 pm | 6:20 pm | 6:23 pm |
Questions
When is the best time for scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta?
April–May and October to January. Expect highs around 84°F (29°C) and the sea at about 80°F (27°C). The least comfortable months are July and August, when the sea drops to about 75°F.
How warm is the water in Puerto Vallarta?
The sea averages 75°F (24°C) in March and 86°F (30°C) in August. It stays warm enough to swim in without a wetsuit all year.
Where can I book scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta?
The tours above book on Viator. Compare group size, duration, what is included and the cancellation terms before you pick one.
