Banco Chinchorro, Mexican Caribbean Diving, weather looks good apparently

[locogringo]

I'm new here but though I'd share a heads up to anyone who is interested in some great Quintana Roo, Mexico diving. I get these updates from XTC Diving out of Xcalak Mexico because i went on their Chinchorro trip years ago. I hope i am not breaking the posting etiquette with this but know that i have no affiliation with them and am just posting to make you aware of a fantastic diving experience.

Here's their email to me. You can Google XTC diving Xcalak and get their website for more info and to contact.

"The winds are calming down- Let´s visit Banco Chinchorro!
on Tuesday, Jan 22d 2013

Hi everyone,
We hope you are having a fantastic 2013 so far!
The ocean has calmed down and we are looking forward to visiting our beautiful atoll again.
Please let us know if you are interested, we have available spaces for US$199 (divers) & US$149 (snorkelers).
In the meantime, receive the warmest of greetings from all of us.
The team @ XTC Dive Center
XTC Dive Center in Xcalak, Quintana Roo, Mexico"

...and here is an old article I did years ago about our day diving on Chinchorro. If you go may your seas be calm. Chinchorro: Banco Chinchorro Scuba diving boat trip, Xcalak Mexico

 

[ccannon707]

Thanks for posting. That area is not available to divers everyday... I missed it on a trip to Mahahual 2 years ago because I couldn't stick around and wait - and I was there for 4 days. Look forward to seeing it someday.

 

[Mike]

This is a place I definitely have on my list.

One thing though, they take snorkelers with them too? How did that work out for you guys? That's usually a big red flag for me with a dive operation that makes me eliminate them from my choices. Snorkeling is fun on it's own, but when it's combined with a dive boat it typically isn't a good end result for the divers.

Great article by the way!

 

[mikeycanuk]

Banco Cinchorro. Did a snorkelling trip back in 2010 I think. Was a June trip to Mahahual. Booked our boat charter months in advance and the morning we left the water was like glass. Lucky! Weather went downhill after that.

You HAVE to make it to the atoll. The island is alive with crabs and lizards. With the biggest lizard I've ever seen. Sadly we forgot to take our camera in the rush to get out the door and the pics our guide took were lost a few days later when my rather new, very pricey Sony Viao died hours before a tropical storm hit. (Dead Solid state memory)- it finally died for the third and final time this weekend.

Snorkelling was good but we were one year away from diving as our son was 9 at the time. Would have loved to dive there. But to be honest the taquenos (yellow deer flies) plus mosquitoes and ants that bit back made life miserable and a once only visit. Some good memories from our 10day trip but we did leave early for Cancun, we had had enough.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[beaverdivers]

Thanks for the up-to-date info on Chinchorro.

 

[locogringo]

Actually, we were snorkeling for the pictures with the cannon on that trip. Yes, it cramps your style a bit for photography but there are strict regulations on what you can do, and special permits the tour operator has to have to go there.

Regardless, if you are a diver in Xcalak or Mahahual and the seas are flat, know that that is the time to go. It's actually a shorter run out from Mahahual but i don't know who has the permits to go from there. Maybe someone else here knows. Our trip, when i wrote the article, was in 2006 so things may be different now. Anyway, XTC still goes and they have a nice big boat. Definitely a big + for Chinchorro diving.

 

[Scoober]

It's ok diving. Certainly not great, but ok. If you are in the area, go for it. But I wouldn't do a major schlep just to dive the banks. Better bone fishing than diving, actually. And the little fishing village built on pilings is very cool!

 

[Mike]

It's ok diving. Certainly not great, but ok. If you are in the area, go for it. But I wouldn't do a major schlep just to dive the banks. Better bone fishing than diving, actually. And the little fishing village built on pilings is very cool!

Wow, that's shocking to hear. To my understanding from my expectations built up from reading about that area, that would be like somebody saying don't go to Bonaire for shore diving, it's just not worth it.

I take it you've been to Chinchorro right? Can you explain what let you down?

Thanks,

 

[Augustus]

its not virgin diving and the atoll is now zoned so you only dive in certain areas. back in the day when you could overnight on cayo lobos it was fun but as to marine life you will likely see the same as you would diving on the coast. lots of wrecks but they are generally very exposed and now many are off limits i have heard. long trip just to say you dove chinchorro. i would be more excited if you could spend a few days exploring but its all controled now days by the park.

 

[lionfish-eater]

Took a road trip down to xcalack a few years back. Got a car and a cooler in cancun and headed south with many stops along the way. Stayed at costa de coca and dove with xtc. Great trip and good diving. We went hoping to go to the banks, but the weather was not favorable for three days, then a boat tried but turned back after an hour in rough seas. The next day a group tried again, but the boat had to be rescued because of engine problems. We dove local sites like la poza and chimnea the whole week. cool sites. very very laid back town. Road trip was tons of fun, felt safe the whole time. Worth researching when the best chance of dead calm seas is and plan to go then.