Cozumel Diving | Drift diving the best coral reefs in Mexico

For almost everyone returning or planning a trip to Cozumel diving is the magnet that pulls them to this lush Mexican island. Cozumel is undoubtedly the best place to dive in the Riviera Maya and we also have the best dive center for you. The island is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, which is the second largest in the world. Endless visibility, massive coral blocks stacked on top of each other, creating a maze of swim-throughs, dramatic walls and different species of sea turtles, nurse sharks and rays as you drift along some of the healthiest and most beautiful coral reefs in the world.

Some of the best scuba diving Cozumel has to offer is on the western side of the island where it is separated from the mainland by a fairly narrow and deep trench, which funnels the oceanic nutrient rich water. This has nourished the growth of towering coral formations along the coast and attracts an impressive variety of marine life. From dolphins to macro life, you will see tropical fish of all shapes and sizes. You will explore caverns ornated with vibrantly coloured sponges and dense forests of gorgonian fans. The area is protected and part of the Marine Park of Cozumel.

Cozumel diving is suitable for all experience levels. There are more than 40 different dive sites to chose from. Beginners will head for an easy and enjoyable drift, while advanced divers can enjoy a speedy ride on the currents at the deeper dive spots in the South.

The reef of Cozumel is home to the amazing Santa Rosa Wall, Palancar Reef, Colombia and Punta Dalila. These continuously rank top on the list of best dive sites in the world.

A quick guide to the scuba diving conditions in Cozumel

When is the best time to dive in Cozumel?

Like the rest of the Caribbean (excluding areas that are affected by the hurricane season), you can dive in Cozumel all year round. The best time for you is simply a matter of preference.
May to November is generally low season in Mexico. During these months the water is warmer, the air is hot and humid and the dive sites are not crowded. You can find great deals on accommodation at this time of the year.
From December to April, the water temperature cools down only slightly, meaning the diving is still very pleasant. As the winter months are considered high season, make sure you book your dive holiday well in advance. The best dive shops in Cozumel tend to have their boats full a few months ahead.

Marine life

As in every coral reef, you will find different inhabitants at different spots and depths. But here is what you can expect to see on your dives. Dense coral formations intertwined with sponges – many gorgonians, brain, lettuce and sheet corals. Rope, barrel, tube, vase and encrusting sponges in bright orange, purple and pink.

The tropical fish range from queen, French and gray angelfish, which you will usually see in pairs to schooling grunts and snappers behind each overhang. Colourful triggerfish, parrotfish and filefish congregate in the shallow parts of the reef. Resident great barracuda, green moray eels and groupers are also a common sight. And if you look close, chances are high that you will find pipehorses, slugs, arrow crabs and many tiny shrimp.

At night lobsters (Caribbean spiny lobster, spotted lobster, Spanish lobster) and channel clinging crabs come out to feed. You are also very likely to encounter hunting squid and octopuses. One of the highlights in Cozumel is the splendid toadfish, which is an endemic species of the area. Look for small holes dug in the sand under the rocks.

You can see hawksbill, green and loggerhead turtles on almost every dive. Nurse sharks rest on the sandy bottom, usually under overhands to protect themselves from the current. Black tip sharks are a common sight. Bull sharks do not visit the waters around Cozumel. They frequent the continental coasts at Playa del Carmen during their mating season. In winter is the migration of the spotted eagle rays. You can see them in large numbers in the months between November and April.

Topography

The reef structure around Cozumel is like nothing you might have seen before. The sea bed consists of white sand terraces, at the edge of which coral reefs grow, forming several lines parallel to the shore. With depth, the coral formations get bigger, taller and denser, forming some impressive swim-throughs. On the west side of the island, where the most popular dive sites are, the drop-off is at about 20-30m (65-100ft) and reaches a depth of 500m (1600ft).

Water temperature

The sea temperatures around Cozumel vary from 26°C (79°F) in winter to 29°C (84°F) in summer. This makes it a perfect diving destination at any time of the year.

Visibility

With clear Caribbean water constantly flowing alongside Cozumel, the visibility is incredible, reaching over 40m (130ft). Prepare yourself for some phenomenal exploration! If you are into underwater photography, you will want to take your wide angle lens along!

Currents

The currents flow persistently towards the north, following the reef and are generally stronger at the southern point of the island. The velocity tends to change daily and even throughout the course of the day. The current, however, is absolutely manageable and allows you to cover a bigger part of the reef on a single dive. You just descend and enjoy the ride above what seems to be an endless reef!

Dive sites

Cozumel ranks high on all the list of the best dive sites in the world. That is because each dive around the island is simply spectacular! Some of the most popular places are Palancar Reef, Colombia, Santa Rosa Wall, Punta Dalila, and Punta Sur.

Water entry and exit

Despite the swift currents, negative entry is not the norm. It is important, however, that divers get in the water quickly one after the other and descend together. Because the direction of the current is consistent and the reef is practically uninterrupted, even with strong current you will just drift from one dive site to the next. Negative water entry is required at just a few of the dive sites, for example at Cathedral and Devil’s Throat, where you don’t want to miss the cavern entries. But even then, a good captain will know the perfect drop-off depending on the current so that you do not need to stress out.

As you drift along, the boat will follow your bubbles at the surface. Since there are many dive boats patrolling the Cozumel area, deploying an SMB before ascending is mandatory. One buoy is enough for the whole group and your guide will be deploying it. Once you surface, make sure you stay close to the SMB until your boat picks you up.

Our top safety tip is to carry your own surface marker in case you (and your buddy) get separated from the group. Make sure you show it to the captain so he/she can look out for it. It is also very important to know the name of the boat you are diving with and the radio channel. That way, wherever you ascend and your dive boat is not in view, you can ask any of the other captains to contact your boat and give your location.

Sargassum

The sargassum seaweed has become an absolute nightmare for tourists to the Caribbean as it spreads for miles along the coastline, covering the beaches completely. Luckily, the west side of Isla Cozumel is not affected at all. The beaches are clean and there is not even a trace of sargassum in the water.

Where is Isla Cozumel and how to get there?

Cozumel is the biggest Mexican island in the Caribbean. It lays just opposite Playa del Carmen, which is on the continental coastline, right between Cancún and Tulum.

There are several options of getting to Cozumel if you are already in the Riviera Maya. From Cancún you can take a 20-minute domestic flight with MAYAir. Alternatively, you can take a bus or taxi/transfer from Cancún or Tulum to Playa del Carmen. There you can catch a 45-min ferry. There are two companies, running trips at the same time every hour. You can buy your tickets at the port right before departure. There’s nothing you can do wrong there.

Alternatively, you can fly directly to the international airport on Cozumel. It is located on the edge of San Miguel, the only town and inhabited place on the island.

Because of the proximity to the mainland, many people consider scuba diving in Cozumel from Playa del Carmen or compare the dive sites to those of Cancún. The reefs just off the island definitely make up for the best diving in the Riviera Maya so you will regret if you don’t spend a part of your diving holiday on Cozumel.

Can you go scuba diving in Cozumel without certification?

Yes! One of the great things about diving in Cozumel is that it is suitable for all levels of experience. You can sign up for an amazing Discover Scuba Diving experience and explore the vibrant shallow reefs just off the coast. You will start from shore and practice some basic skills in the lagoon and get familiar with your equipment. Then you can enjoy the real dive 🙂

The best scuba diving company in Cozumel

There are literally a hundred dive shops in Cozumel so you will want to do a thorough research and book your spot in advance to have a great experience onboard and underwater.

As a divemaster and a scuba instructor, we take great pleasure in diving and are very picky about how we spend our scarce time so we went for ScubaTony who has the reputation of being one of the best dive shops in Cozumel. We can wholeheartedly recommend the operation for the following reasons:

Excellent logistics – The booking process is very simple and you get prompt replies to all of your queries. The ScubaTony boats depart early from the marina and are usually the first ones at the dive sites. You can have a free pickup and drop-off organised at the peer of your resort.
Brand new rental gear – All the equipment is sparkling and well maintained (it is exchanged every 18 months)
Modern boats – There are two covered speed boats designed for divers. You have a fresh water shower, fruit and snacks, as well as cold water (in your personal reusable souvenir bottle) and refreshments for the surface intervals. There are dry compartments and wind jackets available for the guests.

What we also loved:

Small groups – A maximum of 6 divers per boat, grouped by their level of experience.
Great guides and instructors – Everyone is genuinely interested in having a great time diving. The guides will always take into consideration what type of dive the guests are looking for and what marine life they want to see. The dive sites are then picked according to that. Three out of the five divemasters are local. Two of them have 20+ years of experience guiding divers in Cozumel.
Best captains on the island – Both captains have been navigating the reefs around the island for more than 20 years and know each dive site perfectly. The drop-offs and pickups are always spot on! If you are carrying underwater photo equipment, it will receive the greatest care.
Fun surface intervals – The surface intervals are usually on one of the many white sand beaches, close to the second dive site. You can go for a swim, for a stroll, visit the bathrooms, have a refreshing drink or just let yourself be entertained by the stories of the crew.

Customer oriented – The single aim of the whole team is to make the divers happy and to provide a professional service. Everyone is super helpful, friendly and attentive. You get 5-star scuba pampering. No wonder most of the guests are repeat customers!
Safety first – Last but not least, safety always comes first. Each diver’s skills get assessed on a check dive. The consecutive dives are customised based on the experience levels, air consumption, currents and weather conditions. No one is left disappointed!

Prices and packages

Most dive shops in Cozumel offer morning and afternoon double tank dives by boat. ScubaTony also offers night diving or a twilight two tank dive.

2-Tank Boat Diving (morning or afternoon) – $90

Twilight 2 Tank Dive – $100

Night Dive – $65

5 Trip Dive Package – $80 per trip

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