La Poza
Conditions & tides
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Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.
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About this site
La Poza is a dive site off Xcalak on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, a few kilometres from Mahahual. It is a trench that runs parallel to shore for about half a mile. Geologists are uncertain how the formation developed.
The trench begins shallow, then becomes wider and deeper. On one side is a coral wall and on the other a sloping sandy hill. Depths are about 20 to 25 m (66 to 82 ft). The dive ends at a large rock formation called the Copa del Mundo, which rises to about 15 ft (4.5 m) below the surface, and the safety stop is made there among good coral and a variety of fish.
Strong currents and nutrient-rich water make this a favourite spot for large fish and rays. Immediately after the swim-through you see schools of large tarpon along the coral wall, together with schools of jacks and snapper. Nurse sharks and barracuda are also listed.
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The current is strong and the site is rated advanced.
Marine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
Nurse sharkNurse sharkReported here · unconfirmed
Nurse SharkGinglymostoma cirratumReported here · unconfirmed
Jack / amberjackJack / amberjackReported here · unconfirmed
BarracudaBarracudaReported here · unconfirmed
Lobed Star CoralOrbicella annularisReported here · unconfirmed
Mountainous Star CoralOrbicella faveolataReported here · unconfirmed
Symmetrical Brain CoralPseudodiploria strigosaReported here · unconfirmed
Atlantic Blue TangAcanthurus coeruleusReported here · unconfirmed
Massive Starlet CoralSiderastrea sidereaReported here · unconfirmed
Mustard Hill CoralPorites astreoidesReported here · unconfirmed
Stoplight ParrotfishSparisoma virideReported here · unconfirmed
Yellowtail DamselfishMicrospathodon chrysurusReported here · unconfirmed
Greater Star CoralMontastraea cavernosaReported here · unconfirmed
Elkhorn CoralAcropora palmataReported here · unconfirmed
SnapperSnapperReported here · unconfirmed
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
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