Isla Mujeres · Mexico · Reef · Drift
La Bandera
A light drift over a reef shaped like a figure eight
Area photo: Andy Blackledge from Scottsdale, AZ, USA · CC BY 2.0
A shallow drift to about 12 metres over a small reef laid out in the shape of a figure eight. It is the gentle end of the Isla Mujeres reef diving: Open Water depth, mild current and around eighteen metres of visibility, over coral holding moray eels, large crabs, lobsters, angelfish, schools of barracuda and elk-horn coral.
Also known as Bandera Reef.
Where it is and how deep
No published position for this site — the map shows Isla Mujeres and its other sites; operators know the mooring.
The dive
La Bandera runs shallow, about twelve metres at the deepest, over a small reef of two elongated rock formations lying in parallel and laid out in the shape of a figure eight. Currents are mild and visibility averages around eighteen metres, so the dive is mostly looking rather than swimming, and at that depth the bottom time is generous.
Work the coral slowly and it pays. The list for this reef runs to moray eels, large crabs, lobsters, angelfish, schools of barracuda and elk-horn coral, and there are ledges and overhangs through it to look into. The listed requirement is an Open Water certified diver, and the same ground gets used for adventure dives on the way to an advanced certification, so it doubles as training water.
Marine life and season
- Barracuda
- Macro critters
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Prime | Prime | Fair | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Fair | Fair | Good |
Season follows Isla Mujeres: Whale sharks aggregate Jun–Sep, peaking in July and August; sailfish work baitballs Jan–Mar. Both are snorkel-only. Reef diving runs all year.
Dive videos
La Bandera Reef Cancun / Isla Mujeres Mexico - 360 Camera Dive · Jonathan Hernandez (Vegas Tour Guide) on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is La Bandera?+
About 12 metres at its deepest, well inside Open Water limits. Operators list the required experience level as Open Water certified diver and run it as a shallow drift.
Sources
- Bandera Reef — Mexico Divers
- Certified Advanced Adventure Diving Isla Mujeres — Mexico Divers
More dive sites in Isla Mujeres
Wreck
A 1944 US Navy minesweeper, split in two at 26 metres
Cave & cavern
Where the sleeping sharks of Isla Mujeres were found
Reef
The most-visited reef in Cancún, and the reason MUSA exists
The Silent Evolution, more than 400 concrete figures on the seabed
Wreck
The oldest wreck here, split in two beside the drop-off
Similar dives elsewhere
Splendid toadfish, nurse sharks and turtles along the coral
A shallow reef-top drift where dolphins and turtles turn up
A strong south-to-north drift over shallow reef, to 17 m
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Swim-throughs between giant boulders where shy nurse sharks hide