The most stunning dive sites in Cozumel you wouldn’t want to miss

The dive sites in Cozumel are undoubtedly some of the most dazzling in the world. Dramatic seascapes, breathtaking swim throughs, lush walls, speedy drifts and a wrecks. The reefs of Cozumel are a stunning part of the Mesoamerican reef system and the best dive sites can be found on the south-west part of the island, which is a marine protected area. 

The underwater realm of Cozumel is characterized by sandy terraces at the edge of which there are coral block steps. Because of this shelf-like topography around the island, the reefs have grown at different depths, like distinct chains parallel to the shore. This, combined with the constant currents that vary in strength make the dive sites around Cozumel suitable for beginners as well as for advanced divers. 

Irrespective of your level, we guarantee that you will be blown away by how amazing and diverse the scuba diving in the area is. Here is a list of the world-class dive sites in Cozumel, all of which constantly rank top in divers’ favourites lists.

 

Cozumel Palancar

Palancar offers one of Cozumel’s most stunning reefs and topography. Located on the Southwest side of Cozumel, it belongs to the Mesoamerican Great Barrier Reef, the second-largest in the world. It was introduced to the public by the famous Jacque Cousteau. Since 1996 it’s been a part of Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park (Marine Protected Area) to preserve the natural beauty of underwater paradise. Palancar stretches for miles following the contour of the island and splits into four different dive sites Gardens, Caves, Bricks and Horseshoe.

Photo by Nicolas Cesaroni

 

Palancar Gardens

Palancar Gardens is stunning and probably the most renowned dive site around the island. It’s a nice wall with optional swim-throughs and towering rock spires. The divers will enjoy small to moderate currents that will carry them along while exploring magnificent coral formations. It’s like a secret garden that you can delve into over and over again. This strip reef is about 20 metres (66 feet) wide and is dissected by many fissures and caverns. Divers can observe incredible coral coverage with a variety of sponges, gorgonians, and black coral in the deeper areas and swim between breathtaking reef formations. It’s definitely a dive where you focus on the topography as the marine life is not as exciting compared to other dive sites.

Nonetheless, colourful formations and crevices are home to small fish, and divers can find many feeding and cleaning stations. It’s a great dive site to start your diving holiday in Cozumel. Palancar Gardens is one of the reefs you’ll want to come back to.    

 

Depth: Ranges from 10-25m (30-80 ft)   

Divers level: Suitable for all divers from beginners to advance. 

Marine life: groupers, snappers, lobsters, crabs, butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, wrasses and damselfish are frequent. 

Insider tip: If you are a newbie diver, Palancar Gardens is the perfect first dive site for those not yet confident in their skill set. Don’t miss the shallow section of the reef that is thriving with life.

 

Palancar Horseshoe

Palancar Horseshoe is named after its U-shaped large protrusion on the wall of the Palancar reef. This site is packed with coral heads up to 25 meters (80 feet) in height, has stunning tunnels and swim-throughs, which have been carved into the reef, that allows you to explore it inside and out. Its tall heads of a star, sheet, and brain coral come together to form a ‘city skyline’ effect. Although Cozumel Palancar Horseshoe Reef is classified as a deep dive, the divers usually do a multilevel drift dive and end on the top of the reef at around 8 meters (25 feet). The reef slopes outward to the reef edge and deeply convoluted lip. Deep fissures run between the corals, and sandy slopes plummet into the depths. 

This site is a definite ‘MUST-SEE’ for all scuba divers visiting Cozumel. A natural u-shaped amphitheatre can be seen from the surface.

 

Depth: Ranges from 15-30m (50-90 ft)   

Divers level: Suited to the intermediate diver.

Marine life: occasionally sharks and eagle rays, along with the requisite colourful butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, wrasses, damselfish, crabs and shrimps in reef crevices. 

Insider tip: This reef is not rich in fish by Cozumel standards. However, we should expect to see alcoves filled with blue and brown chromis, as well as schools of glassy sweepers shimmering throughout the blue waters. If you look closely, you may spot a Butter, Indigo Hamlet, Shy Hamlet, a Red Spotted Hawkfish in the lettuce or finger coral towards the top of the reef. The coral and sponges are the big show here, though. 

 

Palancar Bricks

Spectacular formations in vivid hues create swim-throughs and caverns that host lush, gorgeous sponges of all types and a stunning blue abyss.

It is lined with coral pinnacles spread out between white sandy seafloor. It can be an enjoyable ‘easy’ dive for those experienced divers out there, great to hover and observe the life hiding within. This spot offers an incredible feeling of adventure with new things to see, hiding within the deep gaps throughout the coral structure. The dive site’s name derives from the red bricks that were dropped into the area by a capsized barge in 1950.

 

Depth: Ranges from 15-30m (50-90 ft) 

Divers level: Suited to all certified divers.

Marine life: turtles, sharks, stingrays, grouper, jacks, triggerfish, eagle rays. 

Insider tip: Look for the giant anchor toward the end of the dive and the eponymous bricks — ballast from a forgotten wreck.

 

Palancar Caves

Another section of Cozumel’s most spectacular reef and an excellent deep dive. Although the site is classified as a deep dive, the shallowest part of the reef is only 6 meters (20feet) deep. In this spot, the corals seem to take on a life of their own as they form spires and buttresses, caves, gullies and canyons. Deep fissures run under the corals, and sand slopes plummet into the depths. Large sheet corals jut out from the reef, creating interesting overhangs. Perfect spot to hide for squirrelfish and bigeye seek during the day. There are countless caves and canyons along this stretch of reef, and you will never be able to see all of them even after several dives. Usually, excellent visibility makes this dive site a photographer’s dream dive for those breathtaking “upward views”. 

 

Depth: Ranges from 6-30+m (20-100+ ft) 

Divers level: Suited to all certified divers.

Marine life: turtles, sharks, stingrays, grouper, jacks, triggerfish, eagle rays, schooling fish 

Insider tip: Schooling fish, such as grunts and snapper, constantly appear, and if you take your time as you exit the caves on the outer edge of the reef, you may glimpse a green turtle or a spotted eagle ray cruising past the wall. 

Photo by Nicolas Cesaroni

 

Santa Rosa Wall

One of Cozumel’s most popular deep dives simply because it never disappoints. The wall starts at 15 meters (50 feet) and drops straight into the deep, very deep. There are immense sponges, vast overhangs of stony coral, and lots of caves, caverns, and swim-through tunnels. 

This dive site is more for intermediate level divers, as the currents can be intense. It is a proper wall dive that drops steeply, but there are ledges and some sandy areas on the way down. The topography will take your breathe away. You can start Santa Rosa on the Cedral wall. It makes an excellent Nitrox dive so that you can see both walls in one dive.

This site can easily be split into three separate dives. Its profile becomes more prominent and convoluted the further North you travel. The middle section has some massive tunnels which cut entirely through the reef crest, and the most northerly has tunnels, caves, overhangs and under-hangs and some areas of wall becoming so steep they are near-vertical.

 

Depth: Ranges from 15-40+m (50-130+ ft)

Divers level: intermediate 

Marine life: barracudas, grouper, lobsters, schooling snappers, angelfish, stingrays, eels, turtles, scrawled filefish, turtles, groupers, giant parrotfish, French and Queen angelfish, and quite a few toadfish.

Insiders tip: Best to do it as a first dive of the day, to enjoy a longer bottom time. Only when you use an underwater torch does the true beauty of the reef reveal itself. Cross through the sand to do your safety stop in the shallows, and you might see some eagle rays dwelling in the sand and occasionally a nurse shark to entertain you during the 3 minutes at 5 meters.

 

SCUBA HUNT Cozumel

Now here is something that you cannot miss once on Cozumel. The SCUBA HUNT experience a mix between an underwater scavenger hunt and a labyrinth. The dive site is located just outside the famous beach bar Hemingways. It’s a shallow dive, so you can do it after the day of boat diving or while you have surface interval before a flight. The site consists of 90 massive concrete blocks scattered over the sandy bottom. They were left there after the hurricane. SCUBA HUNT founder Steve came up with the idea that this would be the perfect place to create an underwater dive challenge game that is a mash up of a scavenger hunt and a labyrinth. Even though this is not a reef dive, the place is teeming with marine life. However, this isn’t the main focus. The game is!

You are signing up for one-tank dive with a maximum dive time of 70 minutes. In that time, you will have to accomplish four unusual twists on basic scuba skills that will lead you to a numeric code. That code is the key to winning the prize. The games are top secret and what leads to the challenges are different colour-coded submerged buoys. At each buoy there are a series of 8-12 surrounding concrete blocks where a given clue could be hidden. The further you get into the game, the more exciting it becomes. Read more about SCUBA HUNT Cozumel here.

Depth: 5-6m (15-20ft)

Divers level: Because of the current and task loading during the dive, we recommend certified Open Water divers with at least 15-20 dives to participate in this activity.

Marine life: stingrays, morays, crabs, cleaner shrimps, schools of damselfish, scorpionfish, flounders.

Insiders tip: Good buoyancy control is a must on this dive as conditions can be quite challenging. If you are a confident diver and have a buddy with reasonable diving skills as well, be prepared to have loads of fun and mask full of water from laughter.

 

C-53 Wreck Xicotencatl

An old U.S. Navy minesweeper was sunk in 2000 off Cozumel’s coast. The Mexican government acquired the vessel in the 1960s and was renamed Felipe Xicotencatl C-53. The ship was decommissioned after years of use. Now it’s creating another “must-see” dive spot to visit once in Cozumel. The wreck attracts marine life and sprouts living coral in the past years. Large holes in the 184-foot gunboat allow entrance into the hull. A guideline from the aft area was installed to lead divers through the wreck. For safety purposes, signs have been posted to indicate the nearest exit. Fish life becomes more abundant with each passing year. Marine creatures discover this artificial reef as perfect hiding and feeding spot.

A highly visible buoy marks the drop spot. The vessel is 55 meters (184 feet) long and 10 meters (33 feet) wide and consists of 4 decks. The sinking job by the Mexican Navy & wreck experts was quite remarkable in that it rests almost perfectly upright & flat with the bow facing SSE & stern NNW. 

Depth: Ranges from 15 m on the top of the wreck to 24m (50-80 ft)   

Divers level: Best for intermediate level divers due to strong currents on the dive site. If you want to penetrate the wreck, a Wreck Speciality is required.   

Marine life: groupers, snappers, eels, scorpionfish, wrasses and damselfish, jacks, cleaner shrimps and occasionally nurse sharks and turtles. 

Insider tip: Look around in the blue and listen for a distinctive sound of propellers in a distance while exploring the C-53, and you might spot an Atlantis Submarine, which is one of the tourist attractions offered in Cozumel.

 

Punta Sur

As with the other dive sites on this list, Punta Sur is located within Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park. This marine park protects the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest coral reef system on the planet.

An inner strip reef rapidly falls away to one of the most popular dive locations on the island. Although the site can be visited only when weather permits, the sheer majesty of the deep wall, caves, caverns and fissures put the area at the top of most divers’ lists. You enter the more extensive cave systems down a sand chute at 27 meters (90feet), where you enter a superb complex of coral tunnels and caverns that are bursting with life. One of the more significant caves, called the Devil’s throat, opens up into an underwater room with four passageways, one of which leads to the Cathedral, a vast cavern with another three passages, all interconnecting. Only experienced divers should consider entering these for any distance, and any diver intending to explore them should be accompanied by a divemaster or instructor. There are perhaps not as many fish at this site due to the exposed nature of the sea area, but the usual angelfish and butterflyfish can always be spotted swimming in pairs along the reef edge. The deeper coral walls have whip corals, spiral out into the depths, and large black corals. There are also brightly coloured small gorgonian sea fans, such as the deep-water fan and sea whips, including the Devil’s sea whip. This is an excellent dive, but diving time is always limited because of the site’s extreme depth and complex nature.

 

Depth: Ranges from 24-40+ meters (80-130+ feet)

Divers level: Due to the depth and strong currents, very experienced divers should only undertake the dive.

Marine life: groupers, snappers, eels, scorpionfish, wrasses and damselfish, jacks, cleaner shrimps and occasionally nurse sharks and turtles. 

Insider tip: Great buoyancy and previous experience with currents are mandatory for this dive. We highly recommend using Enriched Air as well to extend the bottom time.

 

Devil’s Throat and The Cathedral – Punta Sur

An excellent multilevel dive for experienced divers only. Due to its southern location and exposure to prevailing tradewinds coupled with fast running midwater currents that can cause one to miss the dive site entirely. This is NOT a dive for those who cannot descend relatively problem-free. This site has two distinct sections, and the air usage capability of the divers will determine if you can see both in one dive.

The most famous section is called “Devil’s Throat”. It starts inside a coral swim through. After that, divers descend into the opening of a dark narrow tunnel at 27 meters (90 feet ), which takes you out into a sunlit opening at 39 meters (130 feet) on the wall overlooking the abyss. Eagle rays and sharks are occasionally spotted here. 

The other section of this site, “The Cathedral,” is a large cave opening with giant sponges that form a cross in the cave’s ceiling where light passes through. Awe-inspiring photo if divers refrain from kicking up the sand. The Cathedral section is spectacular. There are large swim-throughs at about 110′. 

 

Depth: Ranges from 27-40m (90ft – 130′ft)

Divers level: Advanced

Marine Life: You will usually see some turtles here, but the fish and animals are not as numerous as other areas of Cozumel dive sites.

Insiders tip: There are other tunnels above and below the exit to Devil’s throat. Some Cozumel divemasters may take you through the tunnels a few times, exploring different passages. The scariest part of Devil’s throat is where the tunnel narrows to about 5′ wide and drops about 15′ down before it opens up again. It can be almost pitch dark. Be sure to take a light.

 

Paseo del Cedral Reef (Cedar Pass)

Paso del Cedral Reef (Cedar Pass) is one of those dives you won’t soon forget. The reef itself doesn’t have a dramatic topography of Palancar or Punta Sur, but it’s thriving with life. It consists of sloping hills covered in sponges and coral resembling a countryside meadow. 

A series of ribbon reefs with expansive low profile caverns interspersed and used as swim-throughs. You can expect a proper drift dive.

There are several variations for doing this dive. One of our favourites is the Mounds of Cedral, also known as the Mounds of Delila, three large hills covered with life. It offers an excellent opportunity for photographers. 

Photo by Nicolas Cesaroni

 

Depth: Ranges from 10-35m (35–90ft)

Divers level: Intermediate

Marine life: Eels, sharks, eagle rays, snappers, grunts, French angelfish, pufferfish, stingrays, turtles, large parrotfish, barracudas.

Insiders tip: Keep a close eye out for the shy Slender Filefish in the rope sponges. There are also some scorpionfish here and there. Towards the end of the dive, look around for blacktip reef sharks. The light is excellent in the late afternoon. Consider going for the afternoon dive and then join one of the shallow reefs as a night dive.

 

Punta Dalila

This reef name derives from the Dalila Ranch, located on the shore across from the reef. It is a shallow Cozumel diving and is usually done as a second dive. A healthy reef strip populated by angelfish, squirrelfish and schools of grunts. There are a lot of outcroppings and overhangs on the outer wall of the reef closest to the wall, which is home to crabs and green moray eels. A good variety of corals and sponges and the typically mild current make this a good photographer choice. 

 

Depth: 8-25m (25–80ft)

Divers level: All divers will enjoy this reef.

Marine life: grunts, snappers, Butterflyfish, hamlets, groupers, occasionally green turtles.  

Insiders tip: Great reef to slow down, observe the marine life and enjoy the topography.  

 

La Francesa Reef

This area is partly a strip of colourful coral and patches of coral with a good variety of multicoloured sponges and gorgonians. It is an excellent second dive of the day and great for photography with its splendid toadfish, butterflyfish, and resident grouper. All of this, coupled with the barracuda that often shadow divers here, can be enough to put some divers on sensory overload. This dive is usually done as a second dive of the day. Typically, you can expect a moderate current running from South to North. It consists of small reef heads jutting out of a large sandy area.

Photo by Álvaro Herrero

 

Depth: Ranges from 10-20m (30–60ft)

Divers level: Novice to Intermediate.

Marine life: turtles, black grouper, splendid toadfish in the holes along the reef, lobster and crab, southern stingrays, peacock flounders and various molluscs are to be found on the sand. 

Insiders tip: Coral rubble and sand slope continue down to the outer reef edge and drop-off. The inside of the reef has a gradual slope of sand running down to the reef, and, in some cases, sand chutes completely dissect the reef.

 

Punta Tunich

If you’re looking for swift currents and drift dives, then Punta Tunich is the site for you. Diving in this location starts at around 20 meters (65 feet), where the beautiful white sandy bottom introduces long extended ridges of coral, which rise between the sand dunes. This dive site has abundant stunning sea fans, gorgonians, and whips. Beneath the coral overhangs, you will find sponges and resident fish, including grunt and snapper. You should not miss this wonderful dive site. A good option is to leave the camera on the boat and just enjoy the ride.

Photo by Nicolas Cesaroni

 

Depth: Ranges from 15-40m (50′ – 130′)

Divers level: Intermediate to advanced

Marine life: Moray eels, damselfish, schools of grunts and snapper, parrotfish, angelfish, turtles and possibly a nurse shark.

Insiders tip: About 1/2 through the dive, you will run into coral heads with nice overhangs. Inside are schools of porkfish, schoolmasters, and French Grunts.

 

Yucab

Yucab consists of beautiful, dense, low profile ribbon corals and sponges that are full of life and colour. You can find the widest variety of reef fish in large quantities daily. Grouper and barracuda usually hang out with divers as they drift with the current. This Cozumel dive site is usually done as a second dive. You might expect a strong current, which encourages healthy reef growth. It is a low profile reef without dramatic topography. If your air consumption is good and the current is strong, you can finish your dive at Tormentos reef that swiftly transitions and blend with that dive site.

 

Depth: Ranges from 13-18m (45 – 60ft)

Divers level: Novice

Marine life: Stingrays, sea horses, pufferfish, splendid toadfish, lobsters, octopus, crabs, triggerfish, trunkfish

Insiders tip: After cruising, the turtle grass, you will come to the central part of the reef. There are large schools of grunts, Schoolmasters, and large numbers of French and Queen Angelfish. Again, use the topography for your advantage and stop white drifting any time you want to check out the barracudas hiding behind the rocks.

 

San Francisco

This dive site begins on the Southern end of Old San Francisco Beach. It is a half-mile reef broken into three sections, separated by the sandy bottom. This is one of the shallowest wall dives. However, it is loaded with life. San Francisco generally has a medium current, encouraging healthy reef and sponge growth. It is a wall dive. The wall edge starts at about 15 meters (50 feet), and you can dive down as deep as your certification allows you. There are healthy barrel sponges and low profile coral. There are not many ledges or overhangs. On the top edge of the wall towards shore are sandy bottom areas and small overhangs to hide from the current. 

Photo by Álvaro Herrero

 

Depth: Ranges from 13-40m (45-120ft)

Divers level: Intermediate

Marine life: Eagle rays in the sandy area, blacktip reef sharks, filefish, turtles, parrotfish, french angelfish, groupers 

Insiders tip: San Francisco Reef is a kaleidoscope of colours, so it is very popular with photographers.  Visibility is excellent, and the currents are generally strong. 

 

San Clemente

Cozumel San Clemente is a shallow reef; therefore, dive is usually done as a day’s second dive. However, it is an excellent place for beginners to get a nice long drift and the feeling for what Cozumel diving is all about. It’s a low profile reef similar to Yukab and Tormentos. You can spot the usual suspects cruising amongst the corals and sponges. Shallow depth allows you to extend your dive time even if your air consumption is not as good as you wish. Perfect dive to get back into the water after a long break   

Photo by Nicolas Cesaroni

 

Depth: Ranges from 6-18m  (20-60 feet)

Divers level: Beginners to experienced divers. 

Marine life: grunts, snappers, crabs, trunkfish, triggerfish, angelfish, occasionally a nurse shark.

Insiders tip: Use this dive to practice your diving skills and get comfortable with diving in a current with enjoying the marine life that Cozumel has to offer. 

 

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