Huatulco · Mexico · Reef · Coral garden
Cacaluta
Sea turtles on the inner coral plate, eagle rays at La Grieta.
Photo: Danielllerandi · CC BY-SA 3.0
Cacaluta is an island in one of Huatulco's protected ecological zones, with dives on both sides. The inner side, between the island and the shore, is a coral plate to 12 m (40 ft) visited by sea turtles and seahorses. La Grieta, on the outside, averages 18 to 21 m (60 to 70 ft) and reaches 40 m (130 ft).
Also known as Isla Cacaluta.
Where it is and how deep
15.7190° N, 96.1623° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The inner side of the island, between Cacaluta and the shore, is the shallow dive. Its maximum depth is 12 m (40 ft), where a coral plate spreads across the bottom, and sea turtles and seahorses frequent the site. It is the easier option and the one where newer divers start.
La Grieta lies on the outside of the island. The average depth runs 18 to 21 m (60 to 70 ft) and the maximum reaches 40 m (130 ft), among rock formations where eagle rays, lobsters, mantas, sharks and moray eels have all been recorded. Susie's Cove is kept for experienced divers only, because of its challenging currents.
Marine life and season
- Sea turtles
- Eagle rays
- Manta rays
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good |
Season follows Huatulco: No month stands out as a diving peak. December to May is the dry season and June to November the rainy one; mantas and whale sharks are occasional from May to November.
Know before you go
- Susie's Cove has challenging currents; it is kept for experienced divers only.
- La Grieta reaches 40 m (130 ft) and is dived only in good conditions or by very experienced divers.
Questions divers ask
How deep is the diving at Cacaluta in Huatulco?+
The inner side of the island reaches 12 m (40 ft). La Grieta, on the outside, averages 18 to 21 m (60 to 70 ft) with a maximum of 40 m (130 ft).
What marine life is seen at Cacaluta?+
Sea turtles and seahorses frequent the inner side; eagle rays, lobsters, mantas, sharks and moray eels are recorded at La Grieta.
Sources
- Huatulco Scuba Diving Guide — My Huatulco Vacation
- Isla Cacaluta (OpenStreetMap) — OpenStreetMap contributors
Photo credits
- A long pale sand beach seen from the sea, backed by low dry forest under a hazy sky by Danielllerandi, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
More dive sites in Huatulco
Reef
A winter carpet of rays in the cove, small caves on the rock.
A 9 m coral plateau used for discovery-dive training.
Reef
Eagle rays, once 70 together, over volcanic rock
Reef
Seahorses on the sand, canyons at 18 m, The Point at 40 m.
Similar dives elsewhere
Reef topography that mirrors the cliffs above, at 11 to 18 metres.
Over 52% coral cover, 192 km (119 miles) from land
Reef standing 15-20 ft (6 m) above the sand, 182 km (113 miles) from land
Coral spurs and sand grooves at the foot of the Sombrero Key Lighthouse