Want to do more than just look at the reef?
At Mahahual Underwater Explorers, we offer guided lionfish hunting in Mahahual, Mexico, as part of suitable reef dives. Lionfish hunting can also be included on dives farther afield, including Uvero to the north and Xcalak to the south. It can be incorporated into recreational dives and, where appropriate, deeper and technical dives at sites where lionfish removal is permitted.
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​We use Hawaiian slings for lionfish removal, along with a purpose-built containment canister system similar to a ZooKeeper, allowing captured lionfish to be securely contained underwater. This equipment helps us carry out responsible lionfish removal while diving on the reefs around Mahahual.
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You do not necessarily need to book a separate dedicated lionfish trip. If lionfish hunting is something you want to do, let us know when you book and we can include it in suitable dives.
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Whether you are an experienced lionfish hunter or want to try it for the first time, we can plan suitable dives around your experience, conditions and where lionfish are being found.
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Why Do We Hunt Lionfish
Lionfish belong in the Indo-Pacific. They do not belong in the Caribbean.
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Nobody knows exactly how the invasion began, but lionfish started appearing off Florida in the 1980s. The most likely explanation is that aquarium lionfish were released or escaped into the Atlantic.
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From there, they spread rapidly through the western Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.
Lionfish are extremely effective predators. They feed on small reef fish, crustaceans and the juveniles of species such as snapper and grouper.
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In their new environment they have few natural predators, allowing their populations to grow and placing additional pressure on native reef life.
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Removing lionfish will not eliminate the wider invasion, but regular local removal can reduce their numbers on the reefs we dive and make a noticeable difference in areas that are dived regularly. It also gives divers a practical way to take part in reef conservation rather than simply observing the problem.
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Hunting Lionfish
A lionfish hunt changes the way you look at a reef.
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Instead of simply swimming past coral heads and ledges, you begin searching underneath them, checking cracks and looking into the places where lionfish like to shelter and wait for prey.
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Some are sitting in plain sight. Others can be surprisingly good at disappearing into the reef.
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We normally hunt using small Hawaiian slings and carry the catch in a secure ZooKeeper-style containment container.
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Lionfish have venomous spines, so safe handling is important. Before the dive, we go through the equipment, hunting techniques and safety considerations.
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If you have never hunted lionfish before, that is fine. We can show you how it is done and help you get started.
Good buoyancy and control around the reef are important. Catching a lionfish is never more important than protecting the coral.
Where Do We Hunt Lionfish
Lionfish hunting can be included on suitable dives across Mahahual, the wider Costa Maya area, and selected sites farther afield. The best location depends on conditions, local regulations, logistics, your diving experience and where lionfish are being found.
Mahahual / Costa Maya
Local reefs around Mahahual are the easiest option for most divers. Lionfish hunting can often be added to a normal reef dive when conditions and the site are suitable.
​Uvero
Northern reefs with good lionfish hunting potential and a different feel from the main Mahahual dive sites.
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Xcalak
More remote southern reefs, where lionfish hunting may be possible depending on conditions, logistics and the dive plan.
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Xahuayxol
Pristine southern reefs with excellent visibility and good lionfish hunting potential. A more remote option for divers wanting something beyond the main Mahahual sites.
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Deeper & Technical Sites
For suitably qualified divers, lionfish hunting can sometimes be included on deeper or technical dives, including reefs beyond normal recreational depth.
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From the Reef to the Table
A catch like this can look confronting at first, but it is worth remembering why these fish are being removed. Lionfish are an introduced invasive predator in the Caribbean, where they prey on native reef fish and can place significant pressure on reef ecosystems. That is why targeted removal has become a practical part of reef management in many parts of the region.
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Removing them is about helping reduce that pressure on the reefs we dive. A successful hunt may mean several lionfish are taken from one area in a single dive.
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Lionfish also happen to be excellent to eat. Although their spines are venomous, the flesh itself is not.
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When circumstances allow, the catch may sometimes be cleaned and prepared after the dive, but this is not something we promise or include as a standard part of every lionfish hunt.
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For many divers, part of the appeal is knowing that the fish removed from the reef can be put to good use rather than wasted.
