Cozumel Map

Cozumel Has the 2nd Largest Coral Reef in the World

The Mesoamerican Reef starts at Cozumel and extends south through the Caribbean — the second-largest barrier reef in the world. You can’t see the entire reef in one dive, but you can see 50-foot towering coral walls with complex canyons and many swim-through caves.

Coral reefs are built by invertebrate animals called Cnidaria. Related to jellyfish, they secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard exoskeleton, which is what creates the reefs. They live in a complex symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae, a single-celled photosynthetic organism that provides most of the coral’s food, while the coral builds structure for it to find shelter and reach sunlight.

Coral reefs rely on warm, shallow seas and sufficient current to provide essential nutrients, and in return provide food and shelter to nearly a quarter of the ocean’s biodiversity. Mexico created the Cozumel Reef National Marine Park to protect this resource — part of every diver’s dive fee goes toward park entrance, which in turn protects this vital resource.

Cozumel’s Top Dive Sites

The naming of Cozumel’s dive sites is somewhat interpretive since they are almost all drift dives, often planned to start halfway down one reef and finish on another. This reduces total pressure on the reef and lets divers see a wider variety of marine life.

Diving Barracuda / The North End

The north end of Cozumel is subject to heavy current, and separation from the group means the diver drifts past the island. Not for beginners, these sites feature large deep hog-back reefs and the opportunity for large pelagic sightings, including the namesake fish — barracuda.

• San Juan — Skill: Advanced · Depth: 60′ · Formations ★★☆☆☆ · Marine Life ★★★★☆
  A difficult site on the northern end of the island, often a second dive on a Barracuda trip.
• Barracuda — Skill: Expert · Depth: 100′ · Formations ★★★☆☆ · Marine Life ★★★★★
  Large deep hog-back reefs with the opportunity for large pelagic sightings, including the namesake fish.

Shore Diving Cozumel’s Hotel Zone

Hurricane Wilma pummeled Cozumel in 2005, damaging the shallow reefs and the famous airplane wreck in front of La Ceiba Hotel. Resorts have added attractions like the Mayan Pyramid, giving shore divers something to see. Certain sites, like Paradise just south of the cruise ship pier, make for fantastic night dives.

The Western Walls and Reefs

Cozumel’s west side offers a little of everything to divers. Just inside Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, a line of reefs sits in 60 feet of water — perfect for a second dive or beginner diver. More advanced divers can check out the outer walls at 90 feet, or areas where fast current keeps down the crowds. Several sites are close enough for shore diving or searching for unique critters like the elegant toadfish, and the shallow water makes for crystal-clear photography.

• Las Palmas — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 50′ · Formations ★★☆☆☆ · Marine Life ★★★★☆
  A good second-tank dive; the current makes it a little more challenging but rewards with ample sea life.
• Chankanaab Bolones — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 60′ · Formations ★★★☆☆ · Marine Life ★★★★★
  A flat reef just outside Chankanaab Park with abundant life; fresh water flows from caves into the lagoon — do not enter the caves unless properly certified.
• Chankanaab Shallow — Skill: Beginner · Depth: 35′ · Formations ★★☆☆☆ · Marine Life ★★★☆☆
  Filled with snorkelers by day, but makes an excellent night dive for abundant marine life.
• C-53 Felipe Xicontenanti — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 80′ · Formations ★★★★☆ · Marine Life ★★☆☆☆
  A 184-foot minesweeper sunk as an artificial reef in 2000, with penetration holes cut for certified divers.
• Tormentos — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 50′ · Formations ★★☆☆☆ · Marine Life ★★★★★
  A shallow reef with some of the best marine life in Cozumel; the structure grows denser heading north.
• Yucab — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 50′ · Formations ★★★☆☆ · Marine Life ★★★★☆
  A patch reef with intervals of sandy bottom — a great place to see life on the reef and in the sand.
• Punta Tunich — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 35′ · Formations ★★★☆☆ · Marine Life ★★★★☆
  A shallow site with fast current and plenty of marine life to see as you glide over the reef.
• San Francisco — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 90′ · Formations ★★★☆☆ · Marine Life ★★★☆☆
  A smaller site, often overshadowed by classic Cozumel dives — great to visit when current gets heavy elsewhere.
• Santa Rosa — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 90′ · Formations ★★★★★ · Marine Life ★★★★☆
  A classic Cozumel wall dive; the reef gets taller and denser heading north until you exit over the abyss.
• Paso del Cedral — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 60′ · Formations ★★★☆☆ · Marine Life ★★★★★
  A beginner reef or second dive with long bottom times, great light for photography, and abundant sea life.
• La Francesa — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 60′ · Formations ★★★☆☆ · Marine Life ★★★★☆
  Named in homage to Jacques Cousteau, one of the most popular reefs for its abundant sea life and vibrant colors.
• Punta Dalila — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 50′ · Formations ★★★☆☆ · Marine Life ★★★★☆
  A shallow reef with gentle currents, a great place to spot sea turtles or nurse sharks.

The Southern Reefs

Cozumel Marine Park continues to the southern tip of the island, home to massive coral cathedrals and swim-through caves that made Cozumel a true dive destination. Famous reefs like Palancar, Columbia, and Punta Sur delight experienced divers with incredible structure, and some of the island’s best snorkeling can be found in the clear turquoise water of El Cielo Lagoon.

• Palancar Horseshoe — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 90′ · Formations ★★★★★ · Marine Life ★★★☆☆
  Named for the horseshoe-shaped coral amphitheater at the start of the dive, filled with channels and swim-throughs.
• Palancar Gardens — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 90′ · Formations ★★★★☆ · Marine Life ★★★★☆
  The farthest-north portion of the Palancar Reef; a good first wall dive to introduce divers to Cozumel.
• Palancar Caves — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 90′ · Formations ★★★★★ · Marine Life ★★★☆☆
  Named for its many tunnels and coral canyons — divers with good buoyancy will enjoy exploring the coral mazes.
• Palancar Bricks — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 50′ · Formations ★★★★★ · Marine Life ★★★☆☆
  Named for a load of bricks accidentally dropped there years ago; known for large coral pillars rising from the sea floor.
• Columbia Shallows — Skill: Beginner · Depth: 40′ · Formations ★★★☆☆ · Marine Life ★★★★☆
  A wonderful second-tank dive; the clear, turquoise bay teems with sea life while you off-gas nitrogen.
• Columbia Deep — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 100′ · Formations ★★★★★ · Marine Life ★★★★☆
  A classic Cozumel drift dive with swim-through coral formations — drop lower or shelter behind outcroppings to slow your drift.
• Punta Sur — Devil’s Throat — Skill: Expert · Depth: 130′ · Formations ★★★★★ · Marine Life ★★★☆☆
  An iconic dive for expert divers — the throat opens at 80 feet and drops at a 45-degree angle through a coral tunnel to 130 feet. Precise buoyancy and breathing are essential.
• Punta Sur — Cathedral — Skill: Advanced · Depth: 100′ · Formations ★★★★★ · Marine Life ★★★☆☆
  A large coral chamber with skylights opening to the ocean above, with mazes and passages through tall coral pinnacles.
• Chun-Chaab — Skill: Intermediate · Depth: 80′ · Formations ★★★☆☆ · Marine Life ★★★★☆
  Unique among the southern reefs in that sections are separated by sand, offering a chance to spot southern rays and flounders.
• Maracaibo — Skill: Expert · Depth: 120′ · Formations ★★★★☆ · Marine Life ★★★★☆
  The southernmost dive site on Cozumel; proximity to open ocean brings high seas and strong current, with the chance of large pelagic sightings and a beautiful underwater arch at 120 feet.