Puerto Vallarta & Banderas Bay · Mexico · Reef · Cave & cavern
El Morro
A tunnel through the whole rock, from 37 m up to 15 m
El Morro is a group of small islets and pointed rocks in open water outside Banderas Bay, counted as part of the Islas Marietas protected area. Dives run from 15 to 43 m (50 to 140 ft), and a tunnel crosses the whole rock from 37 m to 15 m. Giant manta encounters are frequent, and nurse sharks can sometimes be found asleep in its small caves.
Where it is and how deep
No published position for this site — the map shows Puerto Vallarta & Banderas Bay and its other sites; operators know the mooring.
The dive
El Morro is open water off the bay: a few small islets and pointed rocks, dived from 15 m (50 ft) down to 43 m (140 ft). Its best-known feature is an underwater tunnel that crosses the whole rock from 37 m (120 ft) up to 15 m (50 ft). The tunnel runs for around 40 m, so divers carry a torch, a primary light if possible.
The rock is densely covered by gorgonians, sea fans, sponges and ascidians. Nurse sharks can sometimes be found asleep in its small caves, and mantas, turtles and schools of tropical fish pass by; giant manta encounters are frequent. The currents and sea conditions that can make the site demanding also make it rich in life, and it is recommended only for experienced divers.
Marine life and season
- Manta rays
- Sea turtles
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Fair |
Season follows Puerto Vallarta & Banderas Bay: June to November is warm and opens the open-sea islets to the north; from December the sea outside the bay roughens and 20 m water can fall to 13 °C.
Know before you go
- Currents are normally moderate and the sea can be strong in open water; divers stay close to the rock and the group.
- The tunnel starts at 37 m (120 ft); divers plan gas and no-decompression time before entering it.
Dive videos
Scuba diving in Puerto Vallarta at El Morro Mar 5 2026 · Coral Master (Greg) Puerto Vallarta Diver on YouTube
Whale shark at EL MORRO Puerto Vallarta Banderas Bay II · BANDERAS SCUBA REPUBLIC on YouTube
Questions divers ask
How deep is El Morro?+
Dives run from 15 to 43 m (50 to 140 ft), and the tunnel crosses the rock from 37 m (120 ft) up to 15 m (50 ft).
Can mantas be seen at El Morro?+
Giant manta encounters are frequent at El Morro, and nurse sharks can sometimes be found asleep in its small caves.
Sources
- Diving Sites in Banderas Bay — Banderas Scuba Republic
- El Morro — Vallarta Under Sea
More dive sites in Puerto Vallarta & Banderas Bay
A deep site where divers meet giant mantas
Volcanic islands with hard coral, sea fans and passing manta rays
Reef
Low arches, fish schools and nurse sharks asleep in caves
A no-take islet reef with a wall that drops from 18 m to 37 m
Reef
A garden eel colony dense enough to look like grass
A former Banderas Bay snorkelling boat, among 10 or 11 sunken ships
Similar dives elsewhere
A winter carpet of rays in the cove, small caves on the rock.
Winding channels and swim-throughs inside a protected reef
Two high ledges and a staghorn and elkhorn outplanting site
Reef
Baixa do Espelho
Azores · Portugal
A volcanic arch to swim through on a reef topping out at 7 m