Isla Mujeres
Mexico · Yucatán Peninsula
Isla Mujeres sits at the tip of the Yucatán Peninsula where Caribbean currents funnel nutrient-rich upwellings past pristine reefs, making it the world capital of whale shark aggregations from June through September. The island pairs accessible reef diving with the surreal MUSA underwater sculpture museum and strong year-round populations of sea turtles and eagle rays.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Live coral covers 11% of this reef. The water is warmer than usual right now, so expect some pale coral.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
Hot enough that coral is bleaching now.
Fishing
Open to fishing, and the water is busy.
Sources · AGRRA and GCRMN reef surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
Coral cover over time
Live coral cover, by survey year
Across 7 survey years from 2011 to 2022, live coral cover here has risen from 6% to 11%. Every point is a real survey reading, never a projection.
Live coral cover, percent by year
| Year | Coral cover |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 6% |
| 2012 | 17% |
| 2014 | 11% |
| 2016 | 16% |
| 2018 | 12% |
| 2021 | 11% |
| 2022 | 11% |
What you will see
19 species across the dive sites here
Green Sea Turtle
Seen 2 months ago
at El Farito
Least concern
Great-Tailed Grackle
Seen 2 months ago
at El Farito
Least concern
Magnificent Frigatebird
Seen 2 months ago
at El Farito
Least concern
Tropical Mockingbird
Seen 2 months ago
at El Farito
Least concern
Great Kiskadee
Seen 2 months ago
at El Farito
Least concern
Great Barracuda
Seen 2 months ago
at Barracuda Reef
Least concern
Nurse Shark
Seen 3 months ago
at Barracuda Reef
Vulnerable
Spotted Eagle Ray
Seen 3 months ago
at El Farito
Endangered
Whale Shark
Seen 3 months ago
at Afuera (Whale Shark Aggregation)
Endangered
French Grunt
Seen 3 months ago
at MUSA Underwater Museum
Least concern
Stoplight Parrotfish
Seen 4 months ago
at MUSA Underwater Museum
Least concern
Cozumel Spiny Lizard
Seen 4 months ago
at Afuera (Whale Shark Aggregation)
Least concern
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Seen 5 months ago
at MUSA Underwater Museum
Critically endangered
Horse-eye Jack
Seen 5 months ago
at Barracuda Reef
Least concern
Caribbean Land Hermit Crab
Seen 7 months ago
at Afuera (Whale Shark Aggregation)
Osprey
Seen 8 months ago
at Afuera (Whale Shark Aggregation)
Least concern
Queen Angelfish
Seen Sep 2025
at El Farito
Least concern
Red Cushion Sea Star
Seen Jul 2025
at Afuera (Whale Shark Aggregation)
Manta Ray
Seasonal visitor
at Afuera (Whale Shark Aggregation)
Endangered
Dive sites
Afuera (Whale Shark Aggregation)
whale shark · manta ray · caribbean land hermit crab · magnificent frigatebird
El Farito
green sea turtle · spotted eagle ray · queen angelfish · great-tailed grackle
MUSA Underwater Museum
stoplight parrotfish · french grunt · hawksbill sea turtle · great-tailed grackle
Barracuda Reef
great barracuda · nurse shark · horse-eye jack · great-tailed grackle