Dive & Snorkel
Cozumel is ranked among the best dive destinations in the world — second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef in reef diversity. Crystal clear water, warm temperatures, and drift diving with Caribbean currents.
Water Temp
26–29°C
Visibility
30–60m
Best Season
Year-round
Dive Sites
13 covered
Inside the Marine Park
Park fee ~$3 USD — included in most dive packages. No-touch zone.
Palancar Reef
Cozumel's crown jewel. Massive coral buttresses, swim-throughs, and enormous barrel sponges. One of the top 5 dive sites in the world.
El Cielo
Heaven, literally. A shallow sandy bottom covered in hundreds of starfish. Perfect for first-time divers and snorkelers.
Paso del Cedral
A wide coral plateau famous for resident nurse sharks resting on the sandy bottom. Cleaning stations attract eagle rays and sea turtles. One of the best sites for wildlife encounters.
Santa Rosa Wall
A dramatic vertical wall that drops into the abyss. Strong currents bring big marine life — eagle rays, sea turtles, nurse sharks.
Cedral Wall
Adjacent to Paso del Cedral but far more dramatic. The wall face is encrusted with giant orange elephant ear sponges and black coral trees. One of Cozumel's most photogenic walls.
Colombia Reef
Deep columns and archways covered in black coral. Exceptional visibility. Often called "the cathedral."
Punta Sur
The southernmost tip of the island. Converging currents, huge coral formations, and encounters with hammerhead sharks in season.
Outside the Marine Park
No park fee. Often less crowded — excellent for wildlife and macro.
Chankanaab
Calm, protected bay with an underwater sculpture garden. Great for beginners and snorkeling. Colorful reef fish everywhere.
Paraíso
Gentle sloping reef just offshore from the cruise piers. A go-to spot for first dives and night dives. Splendid toadfish, scorpionfish, and octopus are regulars.
Yucab Reef
A shallow flat-top reef perfect for beginners. Known for its brain coral formations, sea turtles grazing on the bottom, and a cleaning station that draws dozens of species.
Tormentos
Named for the currents that can appear here. Gorgonian fans, arrow crabs, sea horses, and the famous splendid toadfish — endemic to Cozumel.
San Francisco Reef
Broad sandy plateau with scattered coral heads and sponge formations. Great for macro photography — nudibranchs, flamingo tongues, and frogfish hide in the rubble.
Maracaibo
Remote and deep. Strong drift diving with spectacular pillar corals. For experienced divers only. Worth every second.
Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park
Most of the western reef is protected. No touching, collecting, or feeding marine life. Dive operators collect a park fee (~$3 USD) included in most dive packages. Since 2019, reefs close on rotation for 2-month rehabilitation periods — your operator will know which sites are open.