Scuba Diving

Cozumel is a long time favorite diving destination in Mexico with a rich biodiversity of marine life that has attracted divers, marine biologists and researchers from all around the world, including Jacques Cousteau who dubbed it the best diving destination in the world. The Great Mayan Reef of which many Cozumel reefs are part of is the second largest reef system on the planet, and the clarity of the water can reach an amazing 200 feet in visibility.

Cozumel's National Reef Marine Park protects 25 reefs where you can scuba dive, including great spots with calm waters for those taking scuba diving lessons and cave diving for certified divers. Countless schools of angelfish and parrotfish, as well as sponges and manta rays are among the marine life that make their home here. If you're a diver and planning a Mexico vacation to Cozumel, click on the link below for more information on some great scuba diving locations.

Popular Cozumel Scuba Diving Locations:

• Palancar -- One of the island's most visited reefs, cave diving in the spectacular caverns and mysterious abysses are among the diving delights offered here. Depths range from 20 to 22 feet (6 to 7 meters).
• Parque Natural Chankanaab -- This lagoon has numerous coral reefs and an underwater statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe. You can take diving lessons with licensed instructors. Snorkelers can explore underwater gardens at a shallow depth. The park is open daily.
• Reserva Ecologica Parque Punta Sur --  Divers find the famous Garganta de Diablo, a cave that lies 50 feet (15 meters) below the surface and that leads to an impressive abyss that is 132 feet (40 meters).

The Mexico National Park, Parque Marino Nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel, includes these top diving spots:

• San Francisco  – Divers can explore vertical walls encrusted with coral and large, yellow, tube-shaped sponges. The best viewing takes pace at 60 to 122 feet (18 to 37 meters) because as you   follow the wall downward, it begins to slope gently and takes on a bright green hue, at which point you may spot some large manta rays.
• Santa Rosa --  Depths average 50 to 80 feet.  At one point, the reef drops off into a huge abyss and as you descend, you'll find various caves that house sea fans and large sponges.
• Paraiso Norte --  At this spot you can dive at a maximum depth of 46 feet (14 meters) making it ideal for beginning scuba diving.  Here you'll find long reefs that run parallel to the coast with beautiful coral, giant sponges and schools of bright, blue fish.
• Paraiso Sur -- This scuba diving spot has two barrier reefs, each stretching about 1,650 feet (500 meters) with a maximum depth of 46 feet (14 meters), making it ideal for novice scuba divers.
• Balones de Chankanaab –This reef gets it name (The Balls of Chankanaab) from the many round coral formations found in its waters. The many cavities in the crags hide marine life such as lobsters, eels and manta rays. Maximum depths range from 60 to 70 feet (18 to 21 meters).