Cozumel Dive Sites
Cozumel is by far one of the Best Scuba Diving Destinations in the world. Scuba Diving in Cozumel is know as the Drift Diving Capital of the World with mild and swift currents. Our Cozumel Reef Guide has more than 30 dive sites waiting to be explored. Here you can find information on each dive site and a link our favorites for the Best Dive Sites in Cozumel. Each day we choose the best dive sites based on customer requests and conditions, please review the Cozumel Reef Map and let our dive guides know which Cozumel Dive Sites you will like to explore.
Paradise Reef
Experience Level: Beginner
Depth: 30’-40’
Paradise is the first reef when entering the Cozumel Marine Park. This is a popular second dive and a popular night dive.
The currents are typically mild running South to North. Look for schools of reef fish, Sergeant Majors, Grunts, Snappers and Angel Fish. At night we can find Octopus, Lobster, King Crab, and the Splendid Toad Fish
Las Palmas
Experience Level: Beginner
Depth: 40’-70’
This is typically a second dive with currents that can change direction. Las Palmas is a beautiful steep slope dropping off from the edge of reef at 40’ into the depths.
The reef is decorated with Sponges, Small Coral Heads and Soft Corals. You may see Turtles, Lobster, Splendid Toadfish. Sharp eyes may even spot Seahorses.
Chankanaab
Experience Level: Beginner
Depth: 40’-50’
This is typically a shallow second dive with mild currents. Chankanaab is an alternate night dive site to Paradise.
The reef is decorated with a series of coral heads giving home to many reef fish. Look for King Crab, Lobster, Moray Eels and at night Octopus and Caribbean Reef Squid.
Wreck C-53
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 50’-80’
The C-53 is a 184 ft long Mexican Navy Minesweeper that was sunk in June 2000. It lies on a sandy bottom at 80’. Huge hole have been cut into the ships sides and interior to allow divers to enter and exit safely.
Inside the ship there are Lobster, Crab, Eels, Schools of Glassy Sweepers and Sardines. Outside there are often Barracudas and Grouper.
While diving the C-53 keep a look out for the Atlantis Submarine making a visit.
Tormentos
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 50’-60’
The reef is a healthy and rich coral environment with beautiful overhangs and marine life. The currents at times can be strong. Tormentos is divided into two distinct sections, divided by a stretch of sand bar.
Look for Lobster, Eels, Splendid Toadfish, Triggerfish, Pipehorse and Jawfish in the sand.
Yucab
Experience Level: Beginner
Depth: 40’-60’
Yucab reef is full of life and color, with a wide selection of marine life. This is a great second dive and a photographers favorite.
Look for Lobster, Octopus, Scorpionfish, Splendid Toadfish, Angelfish, Butterflyfish and schools of Grunts.
Punta Tunich
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 60’-80’
This beautiful wall dive is know for its strong currents. This site can be either a first or second tank dive. There are long beds of healthy Finger Coral and Elephant Ear Sponges. Most marine life will be between 60-70’ along the upper wall.
Look for Turtles, Eagle Rays, Barracuda, Splendid Toad Fish and the occasional Nurse Shark. This reef can be an exciting high-speed drift.
San Francisco
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 40’-120’
This gradually sloping wall dive is very colorful with sponges and sea fans. This dive is a fabulous first or second dive.
Look for Turtles, Eagle Rays, Nurse Sharks, Damselfish, Splendid Toad Fish, Green Moray Eel and reef fish are abundant.
Santa Rosa
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 40’-120’
A classic Cozumel wall dive and one of the most popular first tank dives on the island. Towering columns of coral are separated by sand and canyons. Discover the crevices, overhangs and tunnels that cut through the entire reef.
Look for Eagle Rays, Turtles, Lobster, Horse-Eyed Jacks.
Paso del Cedral
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 40’-60’
Cedral is one of the best second tank dives on the island. Expect moderate to strong current. Spectacular swim-throughs and coral mounds are home to abundance of fish. More experienced divers may choose to dive the wall and the faster current.
Look for marine life everywhere. Turtles, Nurse Sharks, Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, Grouper, Parrot Fish, Angel Fish, Green Moray Eels. This is a photographers paradise!
La Francesca
Experience Level: Beginner
Depth: 30’-60’
This shallow dive is often a second tank dive. On this reef you may find Nurse Sharks, Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, Turtles and a variety of crustaceans. This reef dive is very good for photographers.
Punta Dalila
Experience Level: Beginner
Depth: 30’-50’
This shallow dive is often a second tank dive. On this reef you may find Nurse Sharks, Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, Turtles and a variety of crustaceans. This reef dive is very good for photographers.
Palancar Gardens
Experience Level: Beginner
Depth: 30’-80’
An ideal first wall dive for beginners but also a thrill for advanced divers with numerous swim-throughs and photo opportunities.
This is truly a coral garden on the edge of the abyss. Look for Turtles, Sting Rays, Eagle Rays, Grouper, Jacks, Angel Fish, Parrot Fish, Damselfish, Blue Chromis and many more. End the dive in the grassy area home to many Sting Rays and Conch. This dive is a must do.
Palancar Horseshoe
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 30’-90’
This wall dive is all about the massive coral formations. The dense coral growth along the wall is like a huge mountain range with valleys and canyons.
The wall is very steep so good buoyancy control is needed. This is one of Cozumel’s signature dives and is must dive while in Cozumel.
Palancar Caves
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 40’-120’
Another one of Cozumels best dives is Palancar Caves. Features massive coral structures with a maze of swim throughs. Great photo opportunities looking out into the deep blue.
Turtles are common here as well as Jacks, Grouper, Eagle Rays and sometimes Reef Sharks. On the top of the reef look for Blue Tangs, Four Eyed Butterfly and Sting Rays.
Palancar Bricks
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 40’-120’
The southernmost portion of Cozumel’s most spectacular Palancar Dive Sites. It consists of taller coral pinnacles separated by sandy slopes. There are beautiful swim throughs and tunnels leading in and out of the abyss.
With its great visibility and moderate currents, this is a classic, visually stunning and rewarding dive for all.
Columbia Deep
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 60’-120’
This is one of Cozumel’s classic wall dives. Columbia is distinctive for its towering coral pinnacles divided by sand chutes pouring into the deep blue abyss. There are many swim throughs and beautiful soft coral sponges of all colors.
Look for Turtles, Reef Sharks, Sting Rays Grouper, Barracuda and more. Columbia Deep is listed as one of the top dive sites in the world.
Columbia Shallow
Experience Level: Beginner
Depth: 20’-30’
This is a great second reef dive. Its shallow depth and mild currents are great for photography. Most species of tropical fish in Cozumel are present here. The crystal clear water and tropical marine life will give the sensation of being in an aquarium.
Punta Sur
Devil’s Throat
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 60’-130’
Punta Sur is an impressive wall dive on the southern point of Cozumel Island. The most popular feature is a swim through taking down the Devil’s Throat. You enter a narrow tunnel at 80’ and exit at 130’. Numerous other tunnels will bring you back through the coral as you work your way towards a safety stop.
Punta Sur
Cathedral
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 60’-130’
Punta Sur Cathedral is the most southern dive site in the Cozumel Marine Park. The Cathedral section is spectacular. There are large swim throughs at approx 110’ with a large cavern.
Look for Reef Sharks, Turtles and Eagle Rays.
Chun Chacaab
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 60’-100’
Maracaibo
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 60’-130’
Villa Blanca Wall
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 40’-120’
San Juan (North)
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 40’-100’
Cantarel (North - Eagle Ray Wall)
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 40’-100’
Barracuda (North)
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 90’-130’
Tiburones (North) Special Trip
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 80’