Cozumel Island Guides : Cozumel Reefs
Tips: Cozumel is basically all drift diving. Reef Selection: 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. Most of the dive shops offer
small fast boats with 6-8 divers. Some larger dive shops offer small fast boats
and larger boats that can hold 24+ divers. Large boats are better for divers
with sea sickness problems. Most dive shops will pick up/drop off at your hotel
pier if you are staying south of downtown.
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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