The Reefs
We commend the Mexican government for protecting these reefs, now part of the National Underwater Sanctuary. So please touch nothing, and take only pictures.
Barracuda Reef – 60 to 100 feet. EXPERT-III ONLY. Rough seas and fast, shifting currents up to 10 knots common. Raw and wild. Large marine life not uncommon, including black tip, hammerheads and tiger sharks – and of course, barracuda. And if you miss the pick-up after a dive, it’s a long way to Cuba.
Chancanaab Reef – 35 to 55 feet. NOVICE. Easy currents. Tarpon, crabs, small reef fish and nurse sharks have been spotted here.
Colombia Reef and Wall – 20 to 120+ feet. NOVICE to EXPERT. Variable currents. This area has diving for all skill levels. The shallower sections are great for novices or as a second dive. Expect easier currents and a wide variety of marine life, including lobsters, eels and many of the smaller reef fish.
The deeper sections contain stronger currents and some of Cozumel’s best wall diving,
with spectacular mountains, valleys and pinnacles, numerous swim throughs and lots of turtles, large groupers, morays and spotted eagle rays.
Maracaibo Reef – 70 to 200 feet. EXPERT-II. Rough seas and moderate to strong currents common. This area has some fine swim throughs and world class deep wall diving where you can see black coral, orange sponges, large gorgonians and sea fans. Big animal sightings are not uncommon, with the occasional black tip, loggerhead, and spotted eagle ray making an appearance.
Palancar Reef - The Palancar area is made up of a popular collection of dive sites covering many square miles of reef with depths ranging from 15’ to Abyss. This playground is home to dives for all skill levels.
Palancar Caves – 40 to 90 feet. INTERMEDIATE. Easy to fast current. Sloping wall dive with lots of swim throughs, deep gorges and large coral formations. Plenty of gorgonians and sponges as well as a good chance of seeing large rays, turtles and morays.
Palancar Gardens – 40 to 70 feet. NOVICE. Easy currents. Terraced walls, caverns, colors and impressive coral formations are home to a variety of marine life.
Palancar Wall – Best dived from 90 to 120 feet. EXPERT. Variable currents. Vertical wall sporting gorgonians, black coral and an incredible variety of fish. Keep your eye to the deep and you may see giant spotted eagle rays and sharks.
Paradise Reef – 30 to 50 feet. NOVICE. Easy currents. Actually three separate reefs. You may see splendid toad fish, sea fans and brain coral.
Paso Del Cedral – 30 to 60 feet. NOVICE-II. Moderate to fast current. Patchy reefs interspersed with sand. Small corals, large groupers and eels. Also scorpionfish, jacks and a popular swim through.
Punta Sur – 90 to 130 feet. EXPERT. Variable currents. Mention Punta Sur to anyone who’s been there, and
the Devil’s Throat invariably finds its way into the conversation. The entrance to this tunnel is at 90 feet. The
exit, at 125 feet, is through a cavern known as the Cathedral, where a cross shaped sponge can be seen. This swim
through is a major draw, but this dive location offers much more. Other Punta Sur attractions
are the huge pinnacles, vast caverns, and occasional eagle ray and shark sightings.
San Francisco Wall – 30 to 70 feet. INTERMEDIATE-II. Fast current. Nice reef, and a perfect place for your first wall dive. Great coral and sponges, plus barracuda, nurse sharks, turtles and rays.
Santa Rosa Wall – 50 feet to Abyss. INTERMEDIATE-II. Moderate to strong current. Impressive tunnels, spectacular swim throughs and huge sponges. Also grouper, morays, lobster, turtles, possible large marine life, including giant eagle rays, hammerhead sharks and ??!
Tormentos Reef – 45 to 75 feet. INTERMEDIATE. Moderate to fast currents. Lots of sea fans, interesting sponges and coral formations, interspersed with sandy sections. You may see grouper, snapper, clown fish and lobster.
Yucab Reef – 25 to 60 feet. NOVICE-II. Moderate to fast currents. Lots of colorful large corals and swim throughs; You may see trunkfish, as well as grunts, angelfish and barracuda.
Villa Blanca Wall – 50 to 100 feet. INTERMEDIATE-II. Fast currents. Sloping, ledged wall with swim throughs. Expect to see black grouper, eels, flounder, grunts, gorgonians and a variety of sponges.
For more information, click on the links below:
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