Want to go scuba diving? What better place than Cozumel? The fresh and vibrant blue ocean, along with exotic marine life, adds to the beauty of this place.
We know what most divers experience and speak about Cozumel. ‘It’s blue and pleasant,’ they say! And undoubtedly, Cozumel is a fantastic destination.
So, if you are involved in scuba diving, this guide tells you all you need to know about Cozumel. From the right diving time to marine life info, we cover everything.
Explore Cozumel in this guide and book your next flight soon!
Where Is Cozumel?
Let us start with the exact location. Cozumel is a small island in the beautiful Caribbean Sea. You can find this island along the Yucatan Peninsula. However, travel east from this Peninsula to enter Cozumel.
Importantly, Cozumel is opposite to Playa del Carman, a prominent tourist city in eastern Mexico. This small island is a mere 48 km, i.e., 30 miles long. Not so huge, is it? Still, it is the largest Caribbean island in Mexico.
Moreover, scuba divers are predominantly interested in the ocean. Thus, the length of Cozumel island is not a significant factor.
Cozumel: Quick Facts and Figures
- Coordinates: 20°25′ North 86°55′ West
- Area: Approximately 250 square miles
- Administration: Mexico
- Highest point: 46 feet
- Economy highlight: Tourism
What Is on the Island?
Cozumel has excellent resorts. So, even if you are not interested in scuba diving, these resorts will keep the fun alive.
As Cozumel island is a tourist spot, you will find alluring nightlife and restaurants. Cozumel restaurants are home to savory and delicious cuisines.
Apart from the food, Cozumel has facilities like:
- Dining
- Private docks
- Swimming pools
- Dolphinariums
- Pearl farm
Yes, you can visit the pearl farm in the island’s Northern region! The island also has many bars, cinemas, and a fun main plaza. This plaza is a place where tourists gather. There’s music and dancing involved that lifts the enthusiasm of this wonderful island.
How’s the Climate?
When you visit Cozumel, you will experience a long wet season throughout the year. Summer lasts for an average of three months.
Importantly, the months of September and October experience the high tropical monsoon effect. In other words, it rains nearly 10 inches in these two months (average value). Staggering, isn’t it?
As Cozumel is an island, tourists can expect an average humidity of around 80%. If you want to visit Cozumel during the winters, expect an average temperature of 23° Celsius. This season lasts from December to February.
Overall, Cozumel has a mild climate conducive for divers and tourists.
Cozumel Marine Life
Before moving on to the best dive shops in Cozumel, it is vital to know some facts about marine life.
As a scuba diver, the most exotic feeling you get in the ocean is the sight of aquatic animals. So, get ready to explore a wide species of marine animals in Cozumel.
Most of these species will appear as per different seasons. Still, overall, you can expect to get a sight of:
- Sharks
- Eagle rays
- Turtles
- Corals
- Anemones
Sharks
You can spot bull sharks and nurse sharks in the winter season. Importantly, stay alert when you approach coral heads. Most sharks hide behind corals.
Nurse sharks are predominantly harmless to humans. So, you can skip the feeling of starring in a Jaws movie. However, please do not step on them as they have thousands of tiny teeth to counter-attack any diver.
Rays
During winter, you are most likely to encounter eagle rays. You can even observe their beak-like snout that looks more than evident.
Mostly, scuba divers can observe these shy creatures with ease. They won’t attack unless you fidget around them. Cozumel has some possible sightings of stingrays too. So, ensure you respect their privacy while diving in!
Turtles
Going shallow allows you to explore other phenomenal creatures like the hawksbill turtle. These species have low survival rates. So, if you encounter a cute turtle, be sure to enjoy the sight.
Compared to rays, turtles are less likely to grace scuba divers with their presence. However, you can spot them along with lobsters and eels.
Cozumel: Let’s Dive In
Here’s what you require to enjoy diving in Cozumel as a scuba diver:
- A top-quality scuba mask
- Depth gauge
- Compass
- Wetsuit
- Cylinder
- Footwear
- Tank bangers
These seven pieces of equipment will make scuba diving in Cozumel a super-fun experience. Okay, after equipping with these essentials, understand the diving conditions of Cozumel, Mexico.
Cozumel Mexico Conditions For Diving
Check out these details before entering the Cozumel waters:
- The temperature of water: 77 – 78°F (Dec, Jan, Feb), 78 – 80°F (Mar-May), 82 – 86°F (Summer)
- Depth range: 50 – 120 feet
- Suitable for: wall diving, drift diving
- Avg. bottom duration: 60 – 70 minutes
Ensure you visit Cozumel by assessing the above important technical details. After all, diving is fun when done the right way.
Importantly, Cozumel can be an excellent destination for non-certified divers. Their ‘Discover Scuba Diving’ program is useful for new divers to learn the basics. Further, the tutors provide controlled water sessions for the same.
What’s more? If there are a minimum of three scuba divers, you can even dive during the night. So, night divers can experience the adventure with their waterproof flashlights too.
Cozumel Dive Spots
Cozumel dive sights are well-spread along the western coast. Many scuba divers will cherish their visit to spots like:
- Barracuda Reef
- Palancar Reef
- Santa Rosa Wall
- Palancar Horseshoe
- Paradise Beach
- Colombia Wall
Barracuda Reef
This spot is one of the most preferred locations amongst Cozumel scuba divers. The reason for its preference is the occurrence of barracudas, hammerheads, and reef sharks.
Generally, due to strong currents, this spot suits advanced divers. So, explore this spot with expertise and skills.
Palancar Reef
This Cozumel dive site is perfect for beginner scuba divers. It is a large structure that contains many tunnels to navigate your way comfortably. You can enjoy seeing beautiful corals and crevices in the Palancar Reef.
So, underwater photographers take your camera and capture the beauty of the hidden marine life. The corals will provide an exquisite experience worth capturing.
Santa Rosa Wall
The Santa Rosa Wall spot in Cozumel waters is home to a wide variety of aquatic species. On some occasions, this diving spot can have strong currents. Still, it is a comparatively easier dive than Barracuda reef.
So, if you are an intermediate scuba diver, this spot is suitable. You can explore sea turtles, corals, and rays at the Santa Rosa Wall.
Palancar Horseshoe
We recommend you to visit this site at least once in Cozumel. You can dive inside out and hover around the tunnels at the Palancar Horseshoe.
The blue waters accentuate the aquatic beauty at this diving spot. Overall, irrespective of your diving skills, be sure to explore this location.
Paradise Beach
The name says it all – Paradise. Day or night, this diving destination is copacetic for beach diving. You can visit the dive shops on Paradise beach. Generally, they provide everything a diver needs for the certification.
Paradise Beach is a good way to help you start your diving journey at Cozumel. So, be sure to use the equipment and have fun.
Colombia Wall
Explore barracudas, surgeonfish, and coral pillars at the Colombia Wall. This Cozumel diving spot is an experience of a lifetime.
You will enjoy the visibility underwater at the Colombia wall. This location has plenty of turtles, stingrays, and lobsters to explore. In addition, the Colombia wall is excellent for underwater photography.
Diving in Cozumel: The Perfect Time
The best time to dive in Cozumel is throughout the year. To be more precise, you can visit Cozumel according to your preferences. However, different seasons can bring specific benefits.
For instance, from May to August, the number of visitors is low. Thus, you can enjoy the warm weather at Cozumel with less crowd.
In addition, the rainy season allows more wildlife to swim in the Cozumel waters. Hence, this season is perfect for photographers and advanced divers.
So, to sum up, the perfect time to dive into Cozumel depends on your priority. If you want mild temperatures, December to April are the best months. If you want to avoid crowds, an offbeat period of May to August is ideal.
Cozumel Non-Diving Activities
Cozumel has more than just diving activities. You can also enjoy non-diving activities like chilling in nightclubs, shopping, kayaking, and playing tennis.
What’s more? You can visit hotels, spas and enjoy lagoon tours for relaxing. The Cozumel island also lets you taste their world-famous tequila. So, if you are a food lover, Cozumel is a lovely destination.
Wrap Up
With world-class diving experience, Cozumel is an excellent destination for scuba divers. The calming blue waters, amazing marine life, and mystical depth of waters lure many divers.
What’s more? Cozumel welcomes every tourist. You don’t need to be an avid diver to visit this wonderful island. You can enjoy tasty food, amusing entertainment, and boisterous nightlife here.
So, diving in Cozumel will always be a spotlight in human tourism with all these enchanting activities.
Looking for another great location to dive? Then Check out Gili Trawangan
