Cozumel Diving Sites and Reef Maps

Name: Scuba Planet Mexico
Address: 146 Calle 24 Norte, Playa del Carmen, ROO, 77720, MX
Telephone: +529841650596

Cozumel is home to the largest reef system in the Americas:

the Mesoamerican Reef

C-53 Felipe Xicoténantl

Max. depth: 76ft / 23m

Current: moderate to strong

Skill level: experienced

Description: after 55 years of service, C-53 was decommissioned and later donated to the Cozumel Underwater Park (Mexico). It was sunk in 1999.

154 feet (56.3 m) long
33 feet (10.10 m) wide
40 feet (12 m) high
Displacement: 1000 tons

Visit this shipwreck with Scuba Planet Mexico.

Chankanaab

Max. depth: 50ft / 15m

Current: moderate to none

Skill level: novice

Description: beautiful platforms of soft and hard corals teeming with marine life. Here, you will find large schools of snappers, numerous crustaceans (lobsters, crabs, shrimps), the ever-present giant parrotfish, and elusive endemic species of Cozumel reefs, such as the splendid toadfish, known for its strange love song. This is a great spot for second boat dives and night dives!

Colombia Deep

Max. depth: 130ft / 40m

Current: strong

Skill level: experienced

Description: the reef is very large and is a favorite spot for marine turtles and spotted eagle rays during the winter. This site is a splendid garden, featuring a series of underwater canyons and caves adorned with beautiful coral formations and large sponges.

Maracaibo

Max. depth: 130ft / 40m

Current: strong

Skill level: experienced

Description: the vertical drop-off and frequent sightings of larger animals make this site very appealing. Rich in coral formations as well as marine life, you can see turtles, eagle rays, and blacktip reef sharks.

Palancar Bricks

Max. depth: 130ft / 40m

Current: moderate

Skill level: intermediate

Description: this site features many swim-throughs and is located in the southernmost portion of the Palancar reef system. Divers can see large groupers, hawksbill turtles, juvenile Spanish hogfish, and occasional manta rays.

Palancar Caves

Max. depth: 130ft / 40m

Current: moderate

Skill level: intermediate

Description: turtles are common here, manta rays glide overhead, and nurse sharks and butterflyfish can also be seen. Along the way, divers can pass through small underwater caves adorned with beautiful coral formations and large, impressive sponges.

Palancar Gardens

Max. depth: 130ft / 40m

Current: moderate to strong

Skill level: novice/intermediate

Description: an ideal first wall dive, excellent for photographers and a relaxing experience. Divers can see schools of grunts, many blue chromis, butterflyfish, French angelfish, and midnight parrotfish.

You can organize this amazing dive with Scuba Planet Mexico.

Paradise

Max. depth: 40ft / 12m

Current: moderate to strong

Skill level: novice/intermediate

Description: an ideal site for beginners, shallow and easy. Perfect for a second dive and to spot the famous toadfish. Excellent for macro photography, with beautiful corals and sponges. Check the reef maps on this page for more information.

Paso del Cedral

Max. depth: 130ft / 40m

Current: moderate to strong

Skill level: experienced

Description: divers can explore two different parts of this site: the reef and the wall. Rich in marine life due to the consistently strong current, you can encounter large groupers, nurse sharks, large green morays, and stingrays. Check out the reef maps for more details or contact Scuba Planet Mexico.

Punta Sur

Max. depth: 130ft / 40m

Current: moderate to strong

Skill level: experienced

Description: this dive is a sequence of underwater canyons and caves at depths of 100–130 ft (30–40 m), including the famous 'Garganta del Diablo' (Devil’s Throat) and a magical site called 'The Cathedral,' an immense cathedral-like structure made of coral.

Punta Tunich

Max. depth: 130ft / 40m

Current: moderate to strong

Skill level: experienced

Description: this site features robust coral formations and abundant marine life, including turtles, rays, sharks, and moray eels. Strong currents can occur, making it suitable for experienced or advanced divers.

San Franciso

Max. depth: 130ft / 40m

Current: moderate to strong

Skill level: experienced

Description: a beautiful wall, perfect for a second dive, as the most interesting sections are not very deep. The site is very colorful and rich in marine life and coral. Divers can see schools of grunts, nurse sharks, eagle rays, and turtles.

Santa Rosa

Max. depth: 130ft / 40m

Current: moderate to strong

Skill level: experienced

Description: this is a popular first-tank dive. The site features a splendid, vertiginous drop-off with small underwater caves to explore, adorned with beautiful coral formations and large, impressive sponges. While it has less marine life than other sites, the underwater landscape is truly superb, making it one of the most beautiful dive sites in Cozumel and one of the most popular in Mexico.

Tormentos

Max. depth: 60ft / 18m

Current: moderate to strong

Skill level: intermediate

Description: a site very rich in corals, sponges, and vibrant colors, teeming with marine life. Ideal for a second dive, divers can encounter crustaceans, moray eels, grunts, snappers, groupers, and toadfish. It is considered one of the most fabulous dive sites in Cozumel.

Yucab

Max. depth: 50ft / 15m

Current: moderate to strong

Skill level: intermediate

Description: perfect for a second dive, this reef is full of life and vibrant colors, offering great opportunities for underwater photography. Divers can see scorpionfish, lobsters, octopuses, and more. Check the reef maps for more information or contact Scuba Planet Mexico.