Cozumel - Best Dives of Cozumel

Most tours include a shallow dive on the inner reef and a drift dive along the outer wall. Currents on the drift dives vary with the weather from very mild to too-strong-to-stop-for-a-photograph. The dive boat drops you off at one end of the reef, then follows your bubbles as you drift with the current to a predetermined point where you surface to rendezvous with the boat. Note: a maximum depth of 120 ft is enforced by the dive operators. Novice divers may wish to avoid the strong currents associated with drift diving and stick to the inner reefs.

The Palancar National Park
The Palancar National Park Reef complex, off the southwestern tip of the island, encompasses more than three miles of winding tunnels and coral canyons. Its most prominent feature is a 12-ft bronze statue of Christ, created by sculptor Enrique Miralda to commemorate the first Catholic Mass said on the island. The statue stands in 40 ft of water at the north end of the reef known as Big Horseshoe. Depths on the inner reef range from 30 to 60 ft. Visibility exceeds 100 ft. The drop-off on the reef's outer wall is laced with immense coral arches and tunnels-shelter to huge crabs, lobster and all types of morays. Vibrant growths of tree-sized sea fans, yellow and lavender tube sponges, barrel sponges, giant sea whips and pink-tipped anemones adorn the walls.

  Huge towering coral pinnacles on the south end of Palancar provide excellent photo and video opportunities. Fish are abundant, with gigantic parrot fish and groupers, schools of pork fish and grunts everywhere. Many of the groupers are tame and may be hand fed. At depth you'll find a profusion of black coral.

San Francisco Reef
San Francisco Reef offers underwater photographers a kaleidoscope of seascapes with an array of pastel gorgonians and sea fans, vase and barrel sponges, coral arches, caves and tunnels. Usually a drift dive, with huge angels, rays, groupers, and sea turtles greeting you along the way. Depths along the reef ledge are from 20 ft to 70 ft. The wall then drops off to channel depths. Visibility is excellent-usually 150 ft.

Paraiso Reef North
Paraiso Reef North is a popular shallow dive just north of the cruise ship pier in San Miguel. The reef is accessible by swimming straight out 200 yds from the beach at the Hotel Sol Caribe or by dive boat. The remains of a twin engine airplane, sunk intentionally as part of a movie set, rest at 30 ft, creating a home for a vast array of fish life. Huge green morays, eagle rays, turtles, yellowtail, French angels, schools of pork fish, butterfly fish, and queen trigger fish may be found. The reef is a good choice for novice divers.