Sayulita Entourage

Sayulita Entourage operates from the heart of Sayulita, serving as a gateway to the diverse marine environments of the Banderas Bay. Originally established as a small diving school, the centre has evolved into a professional PADI Dive Resort with three decades of experience in the region.

The operation is split between the main shop in Sayulita, which serves as the administrative and training hub, and the departure point at Punta de Mita. This setup allows for a seamless transition from the local village atmosphere to the open waters of the Pacific.

The team is a multi-ethnic group of professionals led by owner and PADI instructor Stephane Panetta, who has been operating in the area since 2000. The staff includes experienced PADI instructors, such as Christian Hauser and Franco Gonzalez, supported by a dedicated equipment manager and a team of local boat captains and guides.

Instruction and guiding are conducted in English, Spanish, and French. The centre maintains a strict ratio of one guide for every four divers, ensuring that even in more technical environments, you receive focused attention from your buddy pair or guide.

As a PADI Dive Resort, the centre offers the complete spectrum of training. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the PADI Scuba Diver course, progressing through the PADI Open Water Diver and PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certifications.

For divers looking to refine their skills or specialise, the curriculum includes PADI Deep Diver, Nitrox (Enriched Air Diver), Boat Diver, and Peak Performance Buoyancy. They also provide refresher courses and specialised training such as Underwater Navigation, Search and Recovery, Drift Diver, and Coral Reef Conservation.

Excursions depart from Punta de Mita on panga boats, which are fully authorised and equipped for local diving. These vessels are powered by 150 HP Yamaha engines and are designed to carry between 8 and 12 passengers.

On board, you will find essential amenities including a roof for shade, a ladder for easy access, life jackets, a cooler, and bottled water. The boats are configured to handle the local conditions while providing a stable platform for your dives.

The shore-based facility in Sayulita is equipped with a COLTRI 9.5 cft compressor to manage cylinder fills. They provide 80 cf aluminium cylinders and offer a full range of rental kit, including Mares BCDs and Mares regulators in both metric and imperial sizes.

For those needing specific equipment, the centre stocks long wetsuits of 5.5 mm, 2.5 mm shorties, and a variety of diving boots ranging from sizes 4 to 12. They also provide masks, fins, and torches for night diving excursions.

The waters of Banderas Bay are home to a vast array of tropical fish, including Angelfish (Pomacanthidae), Butterflyfish (Chaetodon), and various species of Parrotfish (Calotomus). You will frequently encounter schools of Snapper (Lutjanus), Grouper (Epinephelus), and Jacks (Carangidae), alongside pufferfish (Arothron hispidus) and trumpetfish (Aulostomidae).

Large pelagics are a highlight of the region, with sightings of manta rays (Mobula alfredi) and the possibility of seeing oceanic manta rays. During the season from December to March, humpback whales can be spotted in the bay, while dolphins (Delphinidae) are a regular presence during boat transits.

For macro enthusiasts, the reefs host a variety of invertebrates, including nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), octopuses, and various species of shrimp (Caridea). You can also find seahorses (Hippocampus kuda), crabs (Brachyura), and many types of molluscs tucked into the crevices of the reef.

The structural beauty of the sites is defined by healthy coral populations, sea fans (Gorgoniidae), and sponges (Porifera), providing a complex habitat for sea turtles (Cheloniidae), moray eels (Muraenidae), and stingrays (Batoidea).

Currents can be significant at certain sites, particularly El Morro, Los Anegados, and La Corbeteña, requiring a higher level of buoyancy control and experience. In contrast, sites like the Marietas Islands and Los Arcos typically experience much lower current levels.

Seasonal accessibility applies to certain offshore sites; for example, excursions to La Corbeteña and El Chimo are limited to the summer months. The water temperature varies between 17°C and 30°C depending on the time of year.