Grupo Cetaceo

Located in Acapulco, Mexico, Grupo Cetaceo has been a fixture of the local diving community for over 30 years. The centre provides access to a varied underwater landscape, ranging from shallow reef flats to deep underwater mountains and historical shipwrecks.

Operating as an SSI affiliated centre, they cater to a broad spectrum of divers. The local waters offer a mix of rocky outcrops, artificial structures, and deep marine ridges, making it a versatile destination for both recreational exploration and more advanced diving.

The centre is run by a team of certified SSI instructors who bring decades of experience to the Acapulco coastline. Their long-standing presence in the area ensures that they possess a deep understanding of local currents, seasonal changes, and the best way to approach the various site types.

Instruction is provided in Spanish. The team manages everything from introductory dives to advanced certification courses, maintaining a focus on safety and local maritime tradition.

As an SSI affiliated centre, Grupo Cetaceo provides a full progression of training. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver course, while those looking to expand their skills can progress through to the Advanced course.

The curriculum is designed to build confidence and competence, following the structured SSI standards used worldwide.

The centre operates a diverse fleet to suit different diving styles and group sizes, including catamarans, yachts, and lanchas. These vessels allow for flexible trip planning, whether you are heading out for a structured dive programme or a sport fishing excursion.

On board, divers can enjoy lunch along with courtesy fruits and drinks. The variety of boats ensures that whether you are looking for a stable platform for a group or a smaller vessel for a specific excursion, there is an appropriate option available.

For those not travelling with their own kit, the centre offers full equipment hire. This includes regulators, BCDs, wetsuits, fins, masks, snorkels, and weight systems.

Shore-based facilities are designed to support your diving day, ensuring you have the necessary equipment to focus on the underwater environment.

The marine life in Acapulco is diverse, with the rocky reefs and underwater mountains hosting a variety of larger species. You can encounter sea turtles, stingrays, and various species of moray eels among the crevices. The area is also home to schools of surgeonfish, triggerfish, and various snapper species.

Macro life is abundant throughout the sites, particularly in the rocky areas and artificial structures. Divers can find seahorses, nudibranchs, and various crustaceans, including lobsters. Stargazers and torpedo rays are also known to inhabit the sandy and rocky substrates.

Seasonality plays a role in what you might see; between November and February, there is a higher production of plankton. During this same period, you may also encounter humpback whales and mobula rays.

The local environment is subject to seasonal changes, with the best conditions for water clarity and temperature occurring between June and October. Divers should be aware that upwelling or surges can occur between March and May.

Site-specific conditions vary, with some areas like the drift dive from Palmitas to Palao experiencing strong currents. It is important to match your experience level to the specific site requirements, particularly when diving the deeper ridges or the underwater mountains.