Best Dive Cozumel 2021 - ScubaNerds (2023)

Have you been looking for good dive sites to practice scuba diving? For year-round diving, you can opt for Cozumel. Located on Mexico's Caribbean coast, it is one of the top diving destinations with brilliant marine life.

Diving in Cozumel exposes you to some easy drift dives with nurse sharks and turtles. The water also offers good visibility. You may be wondering if Cozumel is good for scuba diving and which locations to consider.

We have compiled a list of the best dive sites in Cozumel. We also answer some questions you might have about diving in Cozumel.

What is the best place to dive in Cozumel?

Read on as we discuss some of the best dive sites in Cozumel.

1. Santa-Rosa-Mauer

If you are considering scuba diving in Cozumel, Mexico, one of the most popular spots is the Santa Rosa Wall. This site has a lot to offer divers. From underwater passages, tunnels, caves, rocky coral outcrops to giant sponges, the adventures are endless.

The wall extends into the Caribbean abyss, but it starts at about 15 meters. If you are visiting Cozumel this is a must see. You will also see some amazing sea creatures. Eagle rays and sea turtles are regularly sighted in this area. You can also find large green moray eels here.

You will also see frogfish, lobster and crab on the wall. Therefore, it makes for a delightful diving experience.

However, it is not the best option for beginners as the currents are variable and can also be very strong. Therefore, it's a great option for advanced divers. The dive site is also accessible and can be reached by boat.

Many people visit this dive site all year round, even in the off-season. It's the time when there are fewer people around and you can explore the area in depth. You might also prefer late afternoon, as the light shines impressively through the water.

Note that the wall drops off quickly. However, there are plenty of rocky outcrops and sandy areas to move on and explore.

2. Lever-Riff

The best thing about this Cozumel reef dive is that it's great for beginners. If you are planning a diving holiday with easy drift diving, Palancar Reef might be your option. Even experienced divers can enjoy a relaxing holiday here.

When you dive here you will experience a 3.5 mile stretch of stunning coral formations. It is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and displays the predominant colors of orange and purple when diving on this reef. This unique reef is divided into five dive sites that offer a variety of formations for divers.

These sites include the Pinnacles, Caves and Cuevones or Great Caves. The other two locations are Gardens and Horseshoe. The upper part of the reef rises about 7 to 10 meters from the surface. Beginners are advised to stay in the water above the 18 meter mark.

Like most divers, you may want to swim over the roof. This area is covered in dense coral and hard rocks. In addition, the water of this reef is very clear. As for marine life, you will find tropical fish, rays and sea turtles.

You will see bar jacks, groupers and trumpet fish, among others. The beautiful coral formations have sand at the bottom. You can dive this reef all year round, including the winter months in Mexico.

3. Recife from Chankanaab

Chankanaab Reef is great for beginners, but experienced divers can also enjoy the Cozumel diving experience through this reef. This reef is right in front of Chakanaab Park and divers can explore both.

You can contact dive operators to guide you through the Cozumel diving experience on this reef. Note that visibility is not great on this reef. This is because there is a freshwater stream flowing near the dive site. This leads to distortions and reduces visibility.

However, the currents here are gentle and the depths shallow. Thus, non-divers and beginners can also enjoy and explore this calm reef. You will also see small coral heads and sandy beaches.

You can snorkel here from shore. If you enjoy exploring shipwrecks, you will also find the C 53 Felipe Xicotencatl just off the coast of Chankanaab Park.

The marine life here is also vibrant. Spotted moray eels, snappers and crabs are often found here. The sand is also home to stingrays and sea urchins. If you are lucky, you can even see a seahorse here.

Rarely do you see the magnificent frogfish. It's also a great place to click some aesthetic photos. Besides diving, many people choose this reef for diving.

The reef itself is full of interesting cracks and fissures that make it a good stretch to explore.

4. Barracuda-Riff

This is one of the best diving spots in Cozumel and is suitable for advanced divers. It is on the west side and is the northernmost reef here. If you dive here you will experience some strong currents and there is also a risk of getting lost at sea.

The reef is not intended for recreational divers, but experienced divers can certainly enjoy it. Adding this to your Cozumel diving experience will only descend into the waters as a group.

You also need to make sure your dive providers have powerful, twin-engine boats. The reef is also quite steep and has a rocky edge as well. As for marine life, you'll also notice rays, turtles and Cozumel's magnificent frogfish.

You can also keep an eye out for French grunts, lobsters and crabs. Nurse sharks are also often seen. The dive site is the drop-off variant. The area is also restricted by the port captain and will be restricted if conditions are deemed unsafe.

Diving can be a lot of fun as long as safety comes first. If you dive with experienced divers, the reefs have a lot to offer. Generally, most divers follow it to around 60 to 70 feet, after which it drops off quickly.

The reef system is beautiful and many divers place it at the top of their dive bucket list in Cozumel.

5. Paradiesriff

For those long-awaited night dives, Paradise Reed is one of the best dive sites in Cozumel. You can go ahead and dive in here even if you are a beginner. However, please note that this Mexico location is south of the Puerto Maya Cruise Terminal.

You must make sure to go upstairs before boarding the cruise ships. It is one of the world-class night diving reefs that is the first thing you see when you enter the marine park in Cozumel, Mexico. It is a great dive site for drift diving.

If you are an experienced diver, you can access it as a shore dive in Caleta. Parallel to the shoreline you have 2-3 coral ridges. Among the marine life are Sergeants, Grunts, Queen Angelfish and Snappers.

You will also see some coral heads sticking out of the sandy bottoms. You will also see sponges here. During the dive you can even be driven to the sandy beaches. That's because these areas are home to some camouflaged seahorses or scorpionfish.

6. Ponta-Tunika

Punta Tunich is a great diving option if you are looking for fast currents for a drift dive. Therefore, it is the best option for intermediate level divers. You can click Mr. Sanchos. It's only a 5 minute drive from here.

With medium current this is one of the reefs with healthy sponge growth. On the way you will see many rope and barrel sponges. There will be many black feathered hydroids to please the eye.

However, be careful not to be touched by them. You will see plenty of damsels, snappers and grunts along with the sloping mounds of coral and sponges. In addition to some turtles and nurse sharks, you will also see angelfish and parrot fish.

You will also find many rocky outcrops in the middle of this dive. If you're lucky, you might also see manatees and butterfly fish. You will start diving here at around 20 meters.

It is one of those must-visit dive sites to add to your Cozumel bucket list. It's also a great spot for taking photos as the water views are good. Through the clear water you can see a colorful landscape in front of you.

What should you consider when diving in Cozumel?

The island of Cozumel, Mexico is located approximately 6 miles from the Yucatan Peninsula. It is a diving destination also known as Ilha dos Rasos. The island has become a popular vacation spot for divers from the United States and around the world.

The island of Cozumel offers many great dive sites and is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef system. We saw the popular dive sites for drift diving in Cozumel above.

Read on as we discuss what you should know about Cozumel before choosing it as your dive destination.

Diving season on Cozumel

You can dive at Cozumel's dive sites year-round. Whether you choose the summer or winter months, the water is calm and warm year-round. Therefore, if you dive during the day, a thin wetsuit will do.

Peak season on Cozumel is between March and September. During this period of high season, the place will be crowded and prices will increase as well. The island will be busy and you can plan your dives and shore excursions during this season.

The best time of year to avoid is late August as it is hurricane season. However, there are many dive sites that are also open during this time. Also, the rainy season in this area falls between March and September.

If you want to explore Cozumel beyond diving, avoid this time.

Sea life in Cozumel

When you dive off the island of Cozumel you will see a variety of marine life. Here are some creatures you might encounter while scuba diving.

gorgeous frogfish

This frogfish comes with zebra stripes and bright colors. This creature is endemic to the island of Cozumel and you can see it on most popular dive sites.

The loggerhead turtle

These turtles are an endangered species that feed on sponges on reefs. They often grow in weight up to 150 pounds and are fabulous creatures to behold.

More

The moraleal stalks coral reefs when you dive off the island of Cozumel. You can see it in its habitat. It can range in size from 3 to 7 feet and is a joy to watch.

Goliath Grouper

Another interesting creature that is part of the marine life of this island is this large grouper. It can weigh around 800 pounds and measure up to 8 feet in length. Despite their size, they are gentle creatures.

In addition, you will also find reef sharks, nurse sharks and other tropical fish. These can include parrotfish, snapper, and angelfish.

Locations for different divers

There are many different dive sites on the island of Cozumel in Mexico. So it's a great choice for everyone from non-divers looking to learn to advanced and experienced divers. There are dive sites in Cozumel that are suitable for all divers.

These dive sites are in shallow water and are quite impressive. Therefore, anyone doing open water training can benefit from Cozumel's dive site options. There are also many options for advanced divers.

Bermuda reefs are an example of this. If you're traveling with a non-diver partner, Cozumel won't disappoint. It will offer a great holiday with some excellent land spots for those who prefer not to dive either.

How much does it cost to scuba dive in Cozumel?

When diving on Cozumel, morning dives with 2 tanks are standard. If you stay on the island, you need to pay about $80-$85 for the diving excursion. However, if you are coming to Cozumel from Playa Del Carmen, you may have to pay more.

Single tank dives are usually a night dive option. They are mainly offered between February and October and cost between $60 and $65. Two-tank twilight dives are also available.

These are offered several times a year for around $100. In addition, the basic equipment such as masks, fins and snorkels are provided free of charge by the dive shops you sign up with. Additional equipment may cost a little.

You can leave your name and email address at dive shops to request more information about cost and dive time. You can also go to their websites and leave a request on the Contact Us page.

Land activities in Cozumel

The island of Cozumel offers visitors a range of water and land activities. We discuss the best dive sites in Cozumel. Here are some places on land to accompany your diving trip.

Punta Sur Ecological Park

Faro Celerain Eco Park or Punta Sur Park is a lively place to visit. You can spend a day spotting native turtles and birds in the park. Afterwards you can visit the nearby Mayan ruins and the lighthouse.

The park is also home to the Devil's Throat, or La Garganta del Diablo as it is also known. This is a popular cave and dive site for advanced divers. Therefore, you can immerse yourself in Punta Sur and enjoy land activities.

Carmen-Strand

If you are a diver, Cozumel is the natural choice on the coast of Mexico. With a choice of dive centers and exciting dive sites, diving in Cozumel is a diver's delight. However, if you prefer land activities with scuba diving, you can add Playa Del Carmen to your list.

With lots of shops and big crowds, you have a good selection of restaurants in Playa Del Carmen. You can take the ferry and visit the site for a day trip from Cozumel. It will be a 45 minute drive.

You will also find many dive shops here. With lively parties and resorts, Playa Del Carmen is a crowded city for travelers in Mexico.

Sao Miguel

This is the area of ​​the city of Cozumel known for its ocean-view tourist shops. Here you will also find many local shops and restaurants. Visiting this place will give you an idea of ​​what life is like for Cozumel residents.

You also have options for diving centers and dive shops here. While snorkeling in Cozumel, you might want to take your time to visit this area.

Is Cozumel good for diving?

So far we've covered what you should know about diving in Cozumel. However, you may be wondering if the island is good for diving. Yes, Cozumel will help you get some of the best scuba diving experiences in the Caribbean.

Weather conditions are great and it is well known for its drift and wall diving. You'll also see some colorful marine life, from sharks and stingrays to some brightly colored tropical fish.

In addition to the dive sites discussed above, there are also some interesting bars and restaurants here which add to the vibrancy of the place. With plenty of dive shop options, your dive trip in Cozumel, Mexico will be a great one.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are some questions about diving in Cozumel answered.

Where to dive on Cozumel?

There are over 20 locations in Cozumel. Some popular dive sites are Palancar and Chankanaab reefs. There are many other sites to choose from depending on your diving experience.

How do I choose dive sites in Cozumel?

To choose the right dive site you need to research the wildlife and visibility of different sites. You might also want to see how strong the current is in each opton. A dive shop can help you choose the right dive shop.

Closing remarks

We have compiled a list of the 6 best dive sites in Cozumel for you. We've also put together an in-depth guide that will help you understand Cozumel as a diving destination. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or experienced diver, Cozumel has dive sites for everyone.

From colorful corals to vibrant wildlife, you'll be spoiled for choice when diving. When you are not busy diving you can check out the land activities around the island. You can leave your name and email address with a dive shop and get all the information you need before visiting.