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CozumelScuba Diving

Cozumel is recognized as one of the top diving areas in the world, offering miles of coral reefs that are ideal for snorkeling and divers from novices to the most advanced. It has breathtaking drop-offs for the experienced diver.
Diving is best in summer when visibility often exceeds 200 feet.
While diving is suggested for the qualified, snorkeling is recommended for everyone who can swim.

Paraiso Reef North: There are a series of three inshore reefs which lie just north of the International Pier and run parallel to the shore. They are approximately 200 yards off the beach and can be reached either by boat or by swimming from the shore. Diving depths range from 30 to 50 feet and these lovely reefs are loaded with star corals, brain corals, gorgonians, seafans, sponges, and myriad fish.

Plane Wreck: Located 100 yards directly out from the La Ceiba Hotel Pier is a 40-passenger Convair airliner lying upside down on a white sand bottom. You can see the entire plane from the surface. The wreck is situated at the north of the Paraiso Reef formations. Be careful not to get snagged in one of the several ropes and lines attached to the plane.

Chankanaab Reef: Several hundred yards offshore and slightly south of Chankanaab Lagoon lies a medium-depth reef sometimes called Outer Chankanaab. Diving depths at this site range from 25 to 55 feet. The coral formations and marine life are similar to Paraiso reef and this spot is considered to be an excellent location for night diving.

San Francisco Reef: Located directly out from San Francisco Beach is a quarter-mile-long coral reef which runs parallel to shore. It is a good half mile out and does require the use of a dive boat.

Palancar Reef: The reef most identified with Cozumel is actually a conglomeration of many different coral formations stretching for a distance of three miles. It's renowned for its towering buttresses. It lies about a mile offshore and has such a variety of profiles that it defies description. The north end of Palancar is generally shallow with the tip of the wall starting at 50 feet. The face of the wall is more of a slope. Excellent areas for diving include The Horseshoe and Palancar Gardens. Local divers have recently installed a large religious statue on the bottom of Palancar. To really see Palancar, you'll need to take many, many dives there. You'll really enjoy it.

Colombia Reef: It's one of the great coral buttress areas located along the lip of the dropoff toward the southern end of the island. There are canyons, deep ravines, huge overhangs, and tall pinnacles. Many creatures, especially the larger ones such as sea turtles, groupers, and big jacks are often seen. The three-dimensional relief of Colombia is second to none in the world.

Maracaibo Reef: Situated off the southern tip of Cozumel, Maracaibo Reef is considered Cozumel's most challenging and most exciting reef. Strong currents on the surface make this a drift dive.

Santa Rosa Wall: Regarded as the second-most popular reef, the wall has a drop-off that begins at 70 feet and drops straight away into the abyss. There are huge overhangs of stony corals along the top of the reef which are beautifully decorated with translucent vase sponges, elegant tube sponges, and other types of colorful sponge growth.There are many additional reefs that will prove fascinating to you.

All are considered excellent dive sites by Caribbean standards (which are among the highest in the world). Most important of all is the fact that all of the reefs are now protected by Mexican Law and will be preserved forever . . .Divers are reminded that coral is protected in Cozumel and should not be collected. Spear gun fishing is prohibited as well. It's a beautiful world down there. Let's keep it that way.

The following photographs are by Miguel Angel Reyes
Cozumel fish
This is Miguel's story:I came to Cozumel 5 and half years ago, from Queretaro, Qro.I became interested in videography the very first time I went snorkeling here. I was in Chankanaab and saw a spotted eagle ray and right then I knew I wanted to video it. Photography just entered my life few months ago, when a friend gave me a still camera and I started picturing the underwater world.All my education has been here, all around this beautiful country. The most important thing I have learned was to be able to share with everyone and have friendship with everyone.I got certified as a diver as soon as I came to Cozumel. I knew that was what I wanted to do, and I knew I wanted to do underwater video too, thus my friend Dan Yearout(RIP) took care of my open water certification.For me, it is a great opportunity to do what I like the most, and at the same time, it provides me the means to live in this beautiful place.
Cozumel Sealife Scuba Photo

Cozumel Sealife Scuba Photo

Message fromthe Scuba Divers Association of Cozumel

The diving association of Cozumel, in conjunction with government authorities, notify that by law it is forbidden to dive any closer to the reef than one meter. In order to prevent irreparable damage, do not break coral structures, kick or grab gorgonians, or drag gauges. Control your bouyancy! Please help the reefs survive our generation. Pass the word!

Visit Miguel's gallery