Cozumel

This Caribbean island is famed for its scuba diving. Much of the island is undeveloped, and the landscape is dotted with limestone pits or sinkholes, perfect for experienced divers. Wall dives, great visibility, and a huge variety of marine life make Cozumel a diving haven.

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Chankanaab Lagoon (meaning “little sea” in Mayan) is one of the most visited sites in Cozumel, where divers can check out coral and limestone formations. It became a national park in 1980.
Depths here are relatively shallow, 6 to 30 feet, great for beginner divers. The lagoon is also a good place for families, although it can become a bit crowded with tourists for more experienced divers.
A large number of colorful fish are usually spotted in this area. Many dive and snorkeling businesses offer dolphin swims here.
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Paradise Reef boasts tropical fish, lobster, and octopus. It reaches depths of about 40 to 50 feet, another great spot for beginners. Strong currents can be an issue in Cozumel, and this is one of the few locations accessible for beach divers.
Coral, anemones, and sponges add to the colorful ocean bottom. Some larger fish like barracuda and grouper can be spotted here. Sometimes divers can even find the highly-sought seahorse.
Paradise Reef is a popular spot for night dives.


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Thousands of divers come to experience Palancar Reef each year. It is almost four miles long, and home to four separate coral reefs, offering plenty for all diving skill levels. Depths range from 50 to 110 feet.
There are several areas through the coral which make for good swim-throughs.
Sea turtles and eagle rays are common here. Caves, canyons and overhangs dot the reef. Check out Palancar Horseshoe, a large U-shaped notch in the wall.
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Deep water and strong currents make this area best for experienced divers. It marks the southernmost point of Cozumel, and is the largest ecological reserve in the island. Some of the beaches here are protected for sea turtle nests.
The Devil’s Throat is here — an underwater cave formation. Unusual patterns of red sponge grow in this area. Eagle rays and sharks may occasionally be spotted.


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