You’ll need to add diving in Cozumel to your journey to Mexico if you happen to take pleasure in a little bit of underwater exploration. On this put up, we’ll take a better have a look at all issues associated to scuba diving in Cozumel.
I used to be licensed in 2008, and in 2021 I spent per week diving Cozumel with Scuba Tony. I spent greater than 12 hours underwater across the island. I met up with some native Padi Instructors and spoke with the homeowners of dive retailers to verify I had all the info appropriate for this put up.
I’ve spent loads of time diving in Mexico, significantly across the Yucatan Peninsula, and I’ve to say that (in my view) Cozumel diving is a number of the greatest in Mexico.
Scuba Diving in Cozumel, Mexico: A Full Information
The island of Cozumel is unquestionably one of many greatest locations for scuba diving in Mexico. Right here you may go diving within the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world’s 2nd largest barrier reef system.
It’s a part of a protected marine park with spectacular partitions of coral and greater than 500 species of fish. You may see turtles, sharks, and eagle rays right here along with all of the tropical fish just like the endemic splendid toadfish.
Even famend explorer Jacques Cousteau declared the island of Cozumel to be a world-class diving vacation spot when he visited again in 1961. Diving in Cozumel actually is an unimaginable expertise!
Diving is simply one of many many unimaginable issues to do in Cozumel, and if you happen to’re travelling to Mexico, getting underneath the water ought to undoubtedly be in your listing.
Learn on for an in depth information to scuba diving on this gorgeous island within the Yucatan. I’ll cowl the perfect time to go to, common prices, typical marine life, a number of the greatest dive websites, high scuba firm and much more.
When to Go Diving in Cozumel
Cozumel scuba diving is nice year-round.
I visited Cozumel within the shoulder season of late April and early Could, however you may actually come right here for diving any time of the yr. There actually isn’t a foul time to go scuba diving in Cozumel!
That being mentioned, some months are undoubtedly higher than others relying on what you need to see.
The water is sort of heat and nice in all seasons, often between 78 and 82ºF (25 and 28ºC). Whereas the water is all the time good, the temperatures on land could be downright stifling through the summer time months.
July to October can also be hurricane season right here, so you need to take that into consideration.
The chance is decrease in the summertime months however a lot greater in September and October. One good thing about touring to Cozumel within the offseason is that costs are decrease and crowds are a lot smaller.
The height season for diving Cozumel is between December and March. Whereas this can be a nice time to be on the island weather-wise, it’s additionally costly and crowded. Undoubtedly make sure you guide upfront at the moment, particularly between Christmas and New 12 months’s.
A candy spot for scuba diving in Cozumel is between March and April, when crowds begin to skinny out however the rain has but to reach.
The exception is Semana Santa (Holy Week) pageant, which is a mini-peak season for locals. See our information to the greatest time to go to Mexico.
Cozumel Diving Seasons
| January – April | Could – August | September – December |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Temperature 77°-79°F / 25°-26°C |
Sea Temperature 78°-86°F / 26°-30°C |
Sea Temperature 77°-84°F / 25°-28°C |
| Climate January – February continues to be primarily clear skies and cooler temperatures. It begins warming in March-April. |
Climate Could and June the climate begins heating up and in the summertime you may anticipate fast bursts of rain. |
Climate August to October have the very best probability of hurricane, however December has nice climate. |
| Sharks This can be a nice season to see sharks, significantly from January to March when you can too see bull sharks (nearer to Playa del Carmen). |
Sharks July and August are different excessive months for shark recognizing! You gained’t see bull sharks at the moment, however there are many reef sharks. |
Sharks From November to December the bull sharks return and provide the alternative to dive with them. |
| Rays Between the months of January to April, you may see essentially the most eagle rays. You all the time have a excessive probability of seeing brown stingrays within the sand. |
Rays July & August are additionally the second-best seasons to see the attractive eagle rays. As all the time you’ll see loads of different rays too. |
Rays September – December isn’t the perfect months to see eagle rays, however you’ll nonetheless see loads of brown noticed rays and different species. |
| Turtles You possibly can’t actually dive in Cozumel with out seeing turtles! |
Turtles Could to October is Loggerhead breading season in Cozumel. |
Turtles Yep. You’ll in all probability nonetheless see a inexperienced turtle on each dive on this season! |
| Coral Each month of the yr is nice for diving and seeing the unimaginable Coral formations and this season is not any totally different. |
Coral The coral pinnacles will nonetheless be incredible in Could-August and the ocean is heat sufficient to dive with no wetsuit. |
Coral The water begins to chill once more in October however the fish and coral stay the identical, all good, wholesome, and vibrant. |
Finest Dive Websites in Cozumel
Cozumel scuba diving is so widespread as a result of there are such a lot of dive websites to select from. There are over 20 websites across the island for divers of all ranges. You might simply plan your whole journey round diving on this superb island.
Cozumel dive websites usually have fairly a little bit of present, however typically you may circulate with the present (collectively along with your group) and the boat will choose you up on the different finish of the reef.
Newbies will benefit from the shallow websites that includes colourful reefs, whereas extra superior divers can go for some thrilling drift diving with swim-throughs. Even non-divers can take pleasure in the fantastic thing about the underwater world right here by tagging alongside as a snorkeler.
The dive websites right here vary in depth from 4.5 meters – 36 meters, nonetheless, the perfect ones max out at 25 meters. Divers with an Superior Open Water certification are capable of take pleasure in all the greatest dive websites in Cozumel.
Listed below are a number of the greatest dive websites in Cozumel you could’t miss:
1. Palancar Reefs
- Depth: 9 meters – 36 meters (30-120 toes)
- Expertise Degree: Newbie-Intermediate
- Present: Gentle-Robust
That is thought-about to be the star of the diving scene in Cozumel. It’s truly divided into 4 sections — caves, bricks, horseshoe, and gardens. These totally different websites supply one thing for divers of all ranges.
Between the 4 totally different websites, you may expertise depths of between 9 meters – 36 meters (30 to 120 toes). There are many superb coral formations, colourful sponges, and plenty of fascinating marine life. It’s possible you’ll spot sea turtles, nurse sharks, angelfish, and extra right here.
On my latest journey diving Cozumel, I dove all of the websites right here and general the Palancar reefs had been in all probability my favourite on the island. Significantly Palancar Caves the place you get to swim by means of monumental caverns within the coral reef itself.
Should you ask your dive store what the perfect Cozumel dive websites are, they’ll seemingly listing Palancar first.
2. Columbia Wall
- Depth: 18 meters – 36 meters (60-120 toes)
- Expertise Degree: Intermediate
- Present: Unpredictable
Enormous coral pinnacles are a spotlight right here, some rising greater than 60 toes (20 meters) from the underside. You possibly can take pleasure in some deep swim-throughs and wall diving right here. Look out for grouper, turtles, and possibly even nurse sharks at this wonderful dive web site.
I dove the Columbia Wall as a twilight dive which was incredible as a result of because the solar units it displays off of the wall and creates some spectacular colours.
Should you dive the Columbia Wall, I like to recommend doing it as a 2 tank evening dive, so the primary dive is on the wall for sundown, and your second dive generally is a close by evening dive (extremely advisable).
3. San Clemente
- Depth: 10 meters – 30 meters (30-98 toes)
- Expertise Degree: Superior
- Present: Robust
This was my second dive of the two tank twilight and evening dive and it was incredible. You possibly can go all the way down to round 30 meters on this one however we stayed at about 20 because it was our second dive of the day.
I extremely suggest doing San Clemente as an evening dive. The animals come out to play on this reef and it’s a spectacular present!
We noticed 3 octopus, a nurse shark, eels, brown noticed stingrays, and better of all, a large eagle ray “flew” by us on the finish of the dive!
Should you get the prospect, ask your dive store to take you on the 2-tank San Clemente and Columbia Wall twilight & evening dives. These had been a few my favorites.
Word: Like many spots for diving in Cozumel, there may be present right here. After I did the San Clemente evening dive it was fairly sturdy. Should you’re not used to highly effective currents, let your dive store know in order that they’ll examine the circumstances earlier than taking you right here.
4. Columbia Pinnacles
- Depth: 9 meters – 30 meters (30-98 toes)
- Expertise Degree: Newbie-Intermediate
- Present: Gentle
Like Palancar, there are fairly a number of dive websites throughout the Columbia Reefs. The Columbia Pinnacles had been one other one among my favourite dive websites as a result of, like Palancar, they’d incredible coral crests jutting up from the seafloor.
There are many swim-throughs and it’s a comparatively straightforward dive.
On the day I went, there was no present in any respect and even when there was, there are many locations on the leeward facet of the pinnacles to relaxation and regroup, making it an excellent place for rookies.
5. Columbia Shallows
- Depth: 8 meters – 14 meters (26-50 toes)
- Expertise Degree: Newbie
- Present: Gentle
I dove the Columbia Pinnacles and Columbia Shallows in someday as a part of a 2 tank dive day and it was incredible.
We had a little bit of present within the shallows but it surely wasn’t dangerous and it was tremendous relaxed to simply drift over the corals at a shallow depth; the right shallow dive after the deeper pinnacles.
We noticed numerous turtles on this dive, too many lobsters to rely and I discovered a small reef shark sleeping underneath a coral overhang which principally made my day on the water.
6. Punta Sur Reef
- Depth: 27 meters – 39 meters (90-130 toes)
- Expertise Degree: Superior
- Present: Unpredictable
This subsequent one is for extra superior divers. It reaches all the way down to depths of 130 toes (30 meters) and is cut up into two sections. The southern half has an incredible chamber known as the Cathedral whereas the northern half contains a cave formation generally known as the Satan’s Throat.
7. Chankanaab Reef
- Depth: 10 meters to fifteen meters (35-50 toes)
- Expertise Degree: Newbie
- Present: Gentle
This is a great spot for some diving in Cozumel for rookies. It’s a straightforward, shallow dive that’s often accomplished as a 2nd dive on a visit.
All of the cracks and crevices within the coral right here imply numerous attention-grabbing marine life — lobster, noticed moray eels, crab, and even the endemic splendid toadfish.
8. C-53 Shipwreck
- Depth: 15-30 meters (50-98 toes)
- Expertise Degree: Intermediate to Superior
- Present: Average
The C-53 isn’t an infinite wreck, however it’s one among my favourite shipwrecks I’ve accomplished and it’s undoubtedly the perfect (hottest) on Cozumel. What I cherished about it was that it was utterly upright, making it straightforward to navigate the darkish hallways.
That’s proper, you get to penetrate this wreck and it’s superb!
Should you’re a newbie to an intermediate diver, you’ll solely have the ability to enter the higher degree of the ship which sits at about 20 meters (65ft), however for superior deepwater divers, you may go a degree deeper into the vessel at round 30 meters (98ft).
Should you’re scuba diving Cozumel and also you need to go to a wreck dive, the C-53 needs to be on the high of your listing.
9. Paradise Reef
- Depth: 10-18 meters (32-59 toes)
- Expertise Degree: Newbie
- Present: Average
This was the second dive that I did proper after the C-53 Wreck and it’s one of the crucial widespread dive websites in Cozumel due to the shallow, easy-to-follow reef system right here.
For my part, Paradise Reef has a few of Cozumel’s greatest comfortable coral formations with vibrant colours and plenty of sea life. Verify underneath each little nook and cranny to seek out hiding fish, lobsters, and generally nurse sharks.
10. Tormentos
- Depth: 15-18 meters (50-60 toes)
- Expertise Degree: Intermediate-Superior
- Present: Robust
Tormentos is one other one of the crucial widespread dive websites in Cozumel due to its brilliant colourful coral and abundance of turtles snacking on the reef. I feel we noticed 3 turtles throughout my dive at Tormentos.
Out of all the dive guides I talked to, fairly a number of of them mentioned that Tormentos was their favourite chilled dive web site and I might see why. Most agree that Palancar is the perfect general, however Tormentos typically comes as an in depth second.
The present could be fairly sturdy right here, so be ready for that, however once I visited it was fairly calm that day.
If it’s too sturdy and you end up getting pushed forward of your group, simply discover one of many many coral mounts and conceal behind it to keep away from the present till your group catches up with you.
Preserve your eye out for black grouper, large barracuda, and the occasional nurse shark which will grace you with its presence at Tormentos.
Value of Diving in Cozumel
When scuba diving in Cozumel, 2-tank morning dives or afternoon dives are the usual. You possibly can hop on a 2-tank enjoyable dive journey for about $90 if staying on the island or a bit extra if staying in close by Playa del Carmen.
It’s attainable to seek out single-tank dives, however these are uncommon through the day. Most dive retailers in Cozumel supply a single-tank evening dive journey for round $60-65. These often solely run between October and February.
You can even join particular 2-tank twilight dives throughout sure instances of the yr for round $100. These usually don’t run within the winter months. It’s greatest to ask the dive store that you just join with if they’ve such a visit out there once you’ll be on the island.
It’s typical for dive retailers right here to supply the fundamentals (masks, snorkel and fins) without cost however cost further for gear rental.
You will get a full set of drugs for $20-25 a day or get a reduction if diving for a number of days. Most retailers supply Nitrox tanks for an extra $8-10.
Need to seize your expertise diving in Cozumel? Many retailers lease out GoPros for round $40 if you happen to don’t have your personal. Some even supply videography providers so you may allow them to do the work of documenting the dive so you may simply take pleasure in it.
Should you’re not but licensed to dive, Cozumel is a superb place to examine that off your listing. You are able to do a Uncover Scuba course for as little as $80 from the seashore or $140-150 from a ship.
You possibly can full your Open Water coaching in Cozumel for $430-450 or $340-380 if you happen to select the e-learning possibility. Many retailers additionally supply Superior Open Water for just below $400 and Rescue Diver programs for $380-410.
With so many superb dive websites to select from, it’s price it to enroll in a number of days of diving. Sticking with the identical store all through your journey will certainly get you a superb low cost on the diving and rental gear.
For instance, some retailers supply 5 days of diving for $80/day versus their regular charge of $90. That’s $50 extra that you just’ll have for fish tacos and margaritas on the seashore once you get again from diving!
Many dive retailers can even organize keep & dive packages with lodges and resorts. This can be a smart way to avoid wasting cash and handle your diving and lodging in Cozumel in a single fell swoop.
Scuba diving Cozumel isn’t all the time low cost, however imagine me… it’s price each penny.
How Deep Are the Dive Websites in Cozumel?
15-30 meters (50 – 100 toes)
Most dive websites in Cozumel vary from 15-30 meters (50 – 100 toes) with some being as shallow as 8 meters (26 toes). This makes Cozumel nice for all ranges of divers, from absolute rookies doning scuba gear for the primary time, all the way in which to superior divers with 100+ dives.
The place to Keep When Diving in Cozumel
You possibly can keep just about wherever if you happen to’re a diver. Nevertheless, if you happen to keep central, you’ll have the ability to rapidly get to the dive retailers for a morning underneath the water. Should you keep across the marine park, many dive firms will even choose you up at your lodge’s jetty.
We stayed 5 nights at Stingray Villa in centro Cozumel and spent 2 nights on the Landmark Resort within the south. Be taught extra about the place to remain in Cozumel in our full information.
Cozumel Dive Retailers
For a small island, there are a number of decisions of dive retailers in Cozumel. You possibly can join day journeys, evening dives, and PADI programs at most dive retailers on the island.
Since diving is such a giant a part of life on the island, there are a number of dive retailers right here on Cozumel. That being mentioned, they undoubtedly vary in high quality. That is true for dive retailers in Mexico and another nation the place diving is widespread.
Many of the dive retailers in Cozumel are positioned on the west coast of the island. Some have an precise store whereas others don’t and simply take reservations on-line. General, the dive facilities right here supply nice worth and high quality.
Listed below are a number of the greatest:
⭐️ Scuba Tony (My Decide)
That is the dive store I went with and I extremely suggest it. Whereas I was working with them on this journey to assist them promote the attractive diving in Cozumel, that doesn’t imply that I might suggest them if I didn’t assume they had been an excellent store.
Choosing the perfect dive store in Cozumel is unquestionably subjective, however in my expertise and from what I heard on the island, Scuba Tony is the perfect round.
I cherished diving with each member of the group right here, significantly with Martin and Pedro. Additionally, Carlos (aka “Paco”) was an excellent boat captain and such a hilarious character.
Tony has been working his dive store on the island for over 15 years and has earned the popularity of being among the best. He and his group have near-perfect opinions all throughout the online, in order that they’re undoubtedly doing one thing proper.
They don’t even have a store and simply deal with reservations on-line, which truly works fairly properly in my expertise. I didn’t get to satisfy with Tony (he was off-island), however I met with the brand new part-owner and supervisor Adam and he’s an excellent man.
Scuba Tony gives their divers a “rent-to-own” dive gear mannequin which helps be certain that their gear is all the time new. Daily on the water I had a model new BCD, nice regulator, a wonderful masks and fins, and a dive laptop.
As a bonus, in addition they supply pickups by boat from lots of the jetties on Cozumel!
General, this can be a well-run dive store and can go down as one among my favourite dive experiences I’ve ever had. Should you’re searching for an excellent store in Cozumel, look no additional.
Scuba Life Cozumel
This 5-star PADI dive heart makes security and luxury their high priorities. They’re all about hassle-free diving right here and handle all the pieces so you may simply take pleasure in your journey.
Maple Leaf Scuba
Should you choose small teams, this can be a nice dive store to go along with. They restrict teams to 6 per divemaster and generally deliver two alongside if the group isn’t so skilled. They will additionally allow you to organize an underwater proposal.
Methods to Get to Cozumel
Though many individuals fly to Cancun, you may fly on to Cozumel through the island’s worldwide airport.
There are a number of choices for direct flights from the US and Canada year-round and a number of other extra in excessive season (December-March). Simply keep in mind that it’s advisable to attend not less than 24 hours after diving to take a flight.
The island can also be a very talked-about vacation spot for cruise ships.
When you don’t get loads of time there throughout a cease, it’s sufficient to take pleasure in some Cozumel scuba diving. Many dive retailers are joyful to accommodate cruise ship passengers. Simply make sure you guide this tour upfront to keep away from disappointment.
Most guests to Cozumel fly into Cancun Worldwide Airport first. From there, you may make your means all the way down to Playa del Carmen. Make sure to learn our information on how one can get from the Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen as there are a number of choices.
Cozumel is just a few miles offshore from Playa del Carmen and is definitely reached by ferry.
At the moment, there are two totally different firms working ferries from the pier and there are round 9 sailings a day. One-way tickets price 250 pesos ($12.50) for adults and 200 ($10) for kids. Go to Winjet and Ultramar to get the present costs and departure instances.
Diving in Cozumel from Playa del Carmen
Basing your self on Cozumel will assist you to spend extra time within the water and fewer cash in your dives than if staying in Playa.
Nevertheless, many individuals select to base in Playa for quite a lot of causes. There are extra choices for issues to see and do, lodging, eating, and nightlife, and it’s additionally simpler to achieve the cenotes within the space.
Dive retailers in Playa del Carmen manage dives in Cozumel too. You’ll take the ferry by your self, and your dive information will meet you on the Cozumel ferry terminal. Then after your dive, you’ll take the ferry again.
Most dive retailers suggest a morning dive so that you gained’t have to fret about taking the final ferry of the day again to Playa. Which means after your dive you’ll have the afternoon free to discover Cozumel and get one thing to eat there.
So, diving in Cozumel from Playa del Carmen is principally the identical expertise within the water as once you keep on Cozumel, besides you’ll must stand up early to catch the ferry. (It’s a few 1-hour journey.) It’s a superb possibility if you happen to’re staying in Playa del Carmen anyway and solely have time for one dive on Cozumel.
There are various dive retailers in Playa del Carmen, and so they all organize dives in Cozumel. I went with Phantom Divers and extremely suggest them.
Hyperbaric Chambers in Cozumel
Diving is a secure sport, however issues can and do go unsuitable.
Fortunately, there are hyperbaric chambers on the island in case of an emergency. The Cozumel Hyperbaric Chamber and Clinic is part of the Cozumel Worldwide Hospital and is the place to go you probably have a diving-related emergency.
They’ve a workers of full-time professionals right here prepared that will help you cope with points like Decompression Illness (DCS) and Arterial Fuel Embolism (AGE). They use a multi-place decompression chamber that permits the technician to go in our out with out interrupting therapy.
These sorts of therapies actually aren’t low cost, so it’s essential to be sure to have the correct kind of insurance coverage when diving in Cozumel (or wherever, for that matter).
The DAN (Divers Alert Community) comes extremely advisable. Click on right here to study extra about their insurance policies.
FAQs About Diving in Cozumel
Have a fast query about scuba diving in Cozumel? Learn on for some FAQs.
Completely! And if you happen to don’t imagine me, then take heed to Jacques Cousteau, who mentioned that Cozumel was one of many high ten dive websites on this planet.
Diving in Cozumel is sweet all yr. November to March is greatest for seeing sharks and eagle rays, but in addition these months even have essentially the most vacationers. There are fewer vacationers in summer time but in addition the prospect of hurricanes.
The reefs off of the southwest shore of the island have the perfect diving in Cozumel. A few of the high dive websites are Palancar and the Columbia Wall. The C-53 shipwreck can also be wonderful.
The diving is unquestionably higher in Cozumel, with massive partitions and deeper dives. You possibly can keep in Playa del Carmen and dive in Cozumel, nonetheless, by taking the ferry. Additionally, if you happen to’re a newbie or intermediate diver, Playa del Carmen does gave good diving too.
Though I cherished diving in Belize, and the Blue Gap is superb, I’ve to say I preferred Cozumel higher. It’s a lot simpler to get to the dive websites. In Belize generally the boat rides had been a number of hours lengthy. They’re as quick as 10 minutes in Cozumel.
Able to Go Diving in Cozumel?
I’ve been scuba diving in Isla Mujeres, Playa Del Carmen, and all up and down the Yucatan Peninsula, and surely, my favourite diving in Mexico was on Cozumel.
The coral right here is so extremely wholesome. It’s no marvel why Cozumel steadily makes the highest of the listing of the greatest diving on this planet.
The perfect diving in Cozumel might be across the Columbia and Palancar reefs, however actually you might go to any dive web site on the island and be amazed by the coral and sea life.
Only a few locations on this planet have been capable of defend such monumental towers of colourful reefs. Whereas there aren’t as many fish like another components of the world, if you happen to’re an individual who loves wholesome coral and nice visibility then Cozumel is the place to return.
Come right here in December – March and have an opportunity to dive with Bull Sharks, in the summertime months there are a great deal of Eagle Rays and all year long you may spot numerous turtles, stingrays, and eels.
Should you’re an avid scuba diver, Cozumel ought to undoubtedly be excessive in your listing. This gorgeous island within the Yucatan Peninsula is arms down one of many high diving locations in North America.
With over 20 distinctive websites for divers of all ranges and an abundance of marine life, Cozumel actually is an incredible place to go to for scuba divers.
Better of all, after a giant day of diving, you may chill in your chair on a number of the greatest seashores in Mexico and luxuriate in some tasty delicacies with a chilly cerveza or margarita!
Some photos on this article are courtesy of Shutterstock, an internet site for sourcing royalty-free movies and pictures on-line. Be taught extra right here.
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