Cozumel Dive Sites
Cozumel is by far one of the Best Scuba Diving Destinations in the world. Scuba Diving in Cozumel is known 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 to 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 ft (9-12 m)
Current: Typically Mild South to North (Great for 2nd tank or Night Dive)
Marine Life: Splendid Toadfish (Night), Octopus, Squid, Lobster, Eels
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
Paradise reef is the first dive site in the Marine Park right outside Marina ASIPONA. Because the current here is typically gentle, it is perfect for new divers, open water checkout dives and macro photography. Paradise Reef is a night dive hotspot.
Las Palmas
Experience Level: Beginner
Depth: 40-70 ft (12-22 m)
Current: Mild to moderate, has been known to change directions
Marine Life: Lobster, Turtles, Stingrays, Splendid Toadfish
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
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.
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.
Chankanaab
Experience Level: Beginner
Depth: 30-50 ft (9-16 m)
Current: Mild to moderate running South to North
Marine Life: Lobster, Nurse Sharks, Eels, Turtles
Visibility: 60-80 ft (18-24+ m)
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.
Wreck C-53
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 50-80 ft (15-24 m)
Current: Mild to Swift, currents have been known to intensify during a dive making this an intermediate to advanced dive.
Marine Life: Lobster, eels, crab, barracuda, turtles
Visibility: 60-80 ft (18-24+ m)
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.
Tormentos
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 50-60 ft (15-18 m)
Current: Mild to swift
Marine Life: Nurse Sharks, Turtles, Lobster Eels
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
Yucab
Experience Level: Beginner
Depth: 40-60 ft (12-18 m)
Current: Mild to moderate, typically South to North
Marine Life: Lobster, Octopus (night), Splendid Toadfish, Nurse Sharks, Turtles, eels
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
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 ft (18-24 m)
Current: Moderate to swift, running South to North
Marine Life: Turtles, Nurse Sharks, Barracuda, Lobster
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
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: 40-130 ft (12-40 m)
Current: Mild to moderate, running South to North
Marine Life: Turtles, Nurse Sharks, Eagle Rays, Splendid Toadfish, Lobster
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
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: 40-130 ft (12-40 m)
Current: Mild to moderate, running South to North
Marine Life: Turtles, Stingrays, Eagle Rays, Splendid Toadfish, Lobster
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
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.
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!
Paso del Cedral
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 40-60 ft (12-19m)
Current: Moderate to swift, running South to North
Marine Life: Turtles, Nurse Sharks, Reef Sharks, Eagle Rays, Moray Eels, Rainbow Parrotfish, Midnight Parrotfish
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
La Francesa
Experience Level: Beginner
Depth: 30-60 ft (9-18 m)
Current: Mild to moderate, running south to north
Marine Life: Nurse Sharks, Eagle Rays, Stingrays, Turtles, Lobster
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
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 ft (9-16 m)
Current: Mild to moderate, running south to north
Marine Life: Nurse Sharks, Eagle Rays, Stingrays, Turtles, Lobster, King Crab
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
This shallow dive is often a mild current which is good for photographers. On this reef you may find Nurse Sharks, Eagle Rays, Sting Rays, Turtles and a variety of lobsters.
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 Gardens
Experience Level: Beginner
Depth: 30-80 ft (9-25 m)
Current: Mild, running South to North
Marine Life: Turtles, Eagle Rays, Stingrays, Jacks, Blue Tangs, Lobster
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
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 Horseshoe
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 30-90 ft (9-28 m)
Current: Mild to moderate, running South to North
Marine Life: Turtles, Eagle Rays, Lobster, Jacks, Stingrays
Visibility: 60-80 ft (18-24+ m)
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 Caves
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 40-130 ft (12-40 m)
Current: Mild to moderate, running South to North
Marine Life: Eagle Rays, Stingrays, Lobster, Reef Sharks, Jacks
Visibility: 60-80 ft (18-24+ m)
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.
Palancar Bricks
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 40-130 ft (12-40 m)
Current: Mild to moderate, running South to North
Marine Life: Eagle Rays, Stingrays, Lobster, Reef Sharks, Barracuda
Visibility: 60-80 ft (18-24+ m)
Columbia Deep
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 60-130 ft (18-40 m)
Current: Mild to moderate, running South to North
Marine Life: Turtles, Eagle Rays, Stingrays, Lobster, Reef Sharks, Barracuda, Grouper
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
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.
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.
Columbia Shallow
Experience Level: Beginner
Depth: 20-30 ft (6-9 m)
Current: Mild, running South to North
Marine Life: Turtles, Stingrays, Lobster, Blue Tangs, Splendid Toadfish, Eels, Parrotfish, Squid
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
Punta Sur Devil’s Throat
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 60-130 ft (18-40 m)
Current: Mild to moderate, running South to North
Marine Life: Reef Sharks, Stingrays, Turtles, Barracuda, Lobster
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
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 ft (18-40 m)
Current: Mild to moderate, running South to North
Marine Life: Reef Sharks, Eagle Rays, Stingrays, Turtles, Barracuda, Lobster, Grouper
Visibility: 80-100 ft (24-30+ m)
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 ft (18-30 m)
Maracaibo
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 60-130 ft (18-40 m)
Villa Blanca Wall
Experience Level: Intermediate
Depth: 40-120 ft (9-36 m)
San Juan (North)
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 40-100 ft (18-30 m)
Cantarel (North - Eagle Ray Wall)
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 40-100 ft (18-30 m)
Barracuda (North)
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 80-130 ft (24-40 m)
Tiburones (North) Special Trip
Experience Level: Advanced
Depth: 80 ft (24 m)
Summary of Cozumel Dive Sites
| Dive Site | Experience Level | Average Depth | Best Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paradise Reef | Beginner | 30'–40' | Night dives, Splendid Toadfish, mild currents |
| Las Palmas Reef | Beginner / Intermediate | 40'–70' | Steep slope, Turtles, Lobster, Splendid Toadfish |
| Wreck C-53 | Intermediate | 50'–80' | Sunk Navy Minesweeper, safe swim-throughs, Eels |
| Yucab Reef | All Levels | 40'–60' | Exhilarating drift dive, dense coral gardens, Nurse Sharks |
| Paso del Cedral | Intermediate | 40'–60' | Spectacular swim-throughs, massive Grouper, Eels |
| Santa Rosa Wall | Intermediate / Advanced | 60'–80' | Dramatic vertical drop-offs, deep crevices, massive sponges |
| Palancar Gardens | Beginner / Intermediate | 40'–70' | Gorgeous coral formations, safe caverns, Eagle Rays |
| Palancar Horseshoe | Intermediate | 60'–90' | Dramatic horseshoe-shaped coral amphitheater, Barracudas |
| Palancar Caves | Advanced | 60'–90' | Deep tunnels, maze-like coral structures, Reef Sharks |
| Palancar Bricks | Intermediate / Advanced | 50'–90' | Tall coral pinnacles, sandy slopes, deep blue abyss vistas |
| Columbia Deep | Advanced | 60'–120' | World-class towering pinnacles, deep sand chutes, Reef Sharks |
| Columbia Shallows | Beginner / Snorkel | 15'–35' | Sun-drenched shallow coral gardens, Sea Turtles, Nurse Sharks |
| Punta Sur (Devil's Throat) | Advanced | 60'–130' | Famous Devil's Throat tunnel, cathedral cavern, Sharks |
| Villa Blanca Wall | Intermediate | 40'–120' | Sloping wall near town, unique schooling fish, deep sponges |
| Cantarel (Eagle Ray Wall) | Advanced | 40'–100' | High-speed northern drift, winter Spotted Eagle Ray migrations |
| San Juan (North) | Advanced | 40'–100' | Fast northern current, expansive reef top, Nurse Sharks |
| Chun Chacaab | Advanced | 60'–100' | Untouched deep reef structure, pristine conditions, wild life |
| Maracaibo | Advanced | 60'–130' | Wild southern point, unpredictable currents, large pelagics |
| Barracuda (North) | Advanced | 90'–130' | Legendary extreme current, Hammerheads, Eagle Rays |
| Tiburones (North) | Advanced | 80'+ | Special deep excursion, pristine northern ecosystems, Sharks |