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Cozumel Reefs
Tips: Usually the
scuba dive master allows the scuba divers to choose
and agree on the reef to visit depending on the levels
of scuba divers. When picking a group to dive with,
try to dive with divers around the same level to get
the most out of your dive.
1. Barracuda
Wall (90'-120'+)
2.
Barracuda (90-120'+)
3.
San Juan (40'-50')
4.
Villa Blanca Wall (50'-60')
5.
Paraiso Reef (40'-70')
6.
Paraiso Wall (60'-120')
7.
Chankanaab (35'-40')
8.
Bolones de Chankanaab (40'-70')
9.
Tormentos (50'-60')
10.
Yucab Wall (80'-120')
11.
Yucab (40'-50')
12.
Punta Tunish Wall (50'-120'+)
13.
Cordona
14. Cordona
Deep (50'-60')
15.
San Francisco Wall (45'-120')
16.
Santa Rosa Shallows (40'-50')
17.
Santa Rosa Wall (50' - 120+)
18.
Paso del Cedral (50'-60')
19.
Cedral Wall (60'-120')
20.
Palancar: La Francesca (30'-60')
21.
Palancar: Big Horseshoe (35'-120')
22.
Palancar: Gardens (30'-80')
23.
Palancar: Little Horseshoe (50'-90')
24.
Palancar: Palancar Caves (50'-120'+)
25.
Columbia (60'-120')
26.
Punta Sur (90'-120')
27.
Chun Cha Cab (80'-120'+)
28.
Maracaibo Shallows (70'-90')
29.
Maracaibo (120+) |
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Cozumel's Top Dive
Sites (Courtesy of Flamingo Divers)
Paradise Reef
Depth: 20 to 50 feet
Skill level: Novice
This is a popular spot for snorklers as well as night dives
and second-tank shallow dives. There are many shallow patch
reefs, large brain coral, sea fans and sponges. Also a good
chance of finding Cozumel's Splendid Toadfish.
Balones of Chankanaab
Depth: 60 to 70 feet
Skill level: Novice
A series of ballon - shaped coral heads. Colorful, abundant
marine life, lobster and crab.
Chankanaab Caves
Depth: 35 feet max
Skill level: Novice
This is an interesting dive at the south end of Chankanaab
park. Excellent beach dive that can be reached either from
Chankanaab park itself or by entering south of the park towards
Corona beach where there is no park entrance fee.Cold fresh
water flows out of limestone caves called cenotes. Large Tarpan
can be found swimming around in the entrance to the caves.
Stay in the ambient light and do not venture far back.Interesting
mixing of cold fresh water on the top layer with the warm
salt water below.
Tormentos Reef
Depth: 50 to 70 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Some of the fastest currents can be found here. Many large
coral pinnacles covered with brain and whip corals. Eels,
angelfish,groupers, grunts and snapper are common as well
as smaller reef fish.
Yucab Reef
Depth: 45 to 60 feet
Skill level: Novice
Excellent 2nd dive. Dense reef full of color and marine life
including lobster, eels and crab.
Punta Tunich
Depth: 50 to 130 feet
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Often swift current. From a sand bottom at 70 feet, a long
ridge of coral rises from the sand dunes between 40 to 60
feet. Big grouper and playful green moaray eels.
San Francisco Reef
Depth: 35 to 50 feet
Skill level: Intemediate
One of the shallowest wall dives. Vey rich with marine life.
Excellent 2nd dive.
Santa Maria Reef
Depth: 40 to 60 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Many large schools of angelfish.
Santa Rosa Wall
Depth: 40 to 130 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Popular deep dive. Drift dive over huge coral heads that rise
up from the deep blue. Impressive overhangs and colorful sponges.
At the northern end are a series of swim through tunnels that
the divemaster will lead you through. Keep your eye open towards
the deep channel where you may spot eagle rays and turtles.
Paso de Cedral
Depth: 35 to 60 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Popular spot for feeding the locals! Massive black groupers
will follow you once you enter the water. Do not feed the
fish though. Let the divemasters feed the eels and groupers
here as they have more experience. Spectacular cavern, tunnel
and swim through diving.
Cedral Wall
Depth: 50 to 90 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Usually strong current present. Fairly flat but full of color
and marine life.
Little Caves
Depth: 50 to 70 feet
Skill level: Novice
This is an interesting dive with many colorful canyons, deep
ravines and crevices.
Palancar Horseshoe
Depth: 25 to 125 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Towers of brain, star and sheet coral heads protrude within
20 feet of the surface. Excellent dive spot.
Palancar Gardens
Depth: 40 to 70 feet
Skill level: Novice
This is a great 2nd dive after diving Palancar Caves. Beautiful
dive with plenty of color and many nice caverns.
Palancar Caves
Depth: 60 to 90 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Excellent tunnels and caves to swim through. Abundant marine
life. Very popular deep dive
Columbia Wall
Depth: 60 to 90 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
One of my favorite dives. Not as many divers come here due
to the distance. Huge coral pinnacles and a very impressive
drop off. You can often see large marine life such as eagle
rays, turtles and large baracuda.
Columbia Shallow
Depth: 35 feet max
Skill level: Novice
This is one of the best shallow dives on the island in my
opinion. huge variety of marine life and many coral heads.
Usually 2nd dive only for those divers who have just finished
the first dive at either Columbia Wall or Punta Sur due to
the location.
Punta Sur
Depth: 90 to 130 feet
Skill level: Advanced
This is diving for the experienced at it's best. Home to the
famous "Devil's Throat" which starts at the opening
of a dark narrow tunnel at 90 feet and takes you out into
a sunlite opening at 130 feet on the wall. Eagle rays and
sharks are occasionally spoted here. Other spots include the
cathedral, which is a large cave opening with giant sponges
that form a cross in the ceiling of the cave where light passes
through.
Maracaibo Deep
Depth: 90 to 140 feet
Skill level: Expert
This is the southernmost reef on the island and is very exposed
to current and topside surf. Wall starts at 90 feet and is
covered with large orange elephant ear sponges, black coral
and sheet coral. Sharks, rays and loggerhead turtles swim
through the channel.
Baracuda Reef
Depth: 80 to 100 feet
Skill level: Expert
Baracuda lies on the north side of the island. This dive site
is rarely visited due to rough conditions, even in good weather.
The current runs 2 to 3 knots and downcurrents are not uncommon.
For the truly adventurous diver, it is a rewarding challenge
though and you can often site large schools of fish, turtles,
and even hammerhead sharks have been sighted here in the past.
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