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If your idea of a fun vacation is gliding past vibrantly colored Coral
reefs as giant Groupers beg for food, this is the getaway for you! World-renowned
for it's diving, Cozumel is rated as one of the top ten scuba diving destinations
in the world. The reef located here is one of the largest in the world,
second only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
Experience the majestical coral formations at Columbia and Palancar and
glide along effortlessly on Santa Rosa Wall. Share the world of our marine
friends like Sea Turtles, Spotted Eagle Rays, Angelfish, Snapper, Grouper
and many others in their beautiful habitats among the colorful coral,
sponges and gorgonians! See if I am on-line to Chat LIVE about diving
in Cozumel!With over 30 dive sites surrounding the beautiful island of
Cozumel, there is something for everyone.
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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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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