PARQUE NACIONAL ARRECIFES DE COZUMEL

As part of the Great Barrier Reef that stretches from the northern part of the peninsula to the Bay Islands in Honduras, Cozumel has no less than 26 beautiful reefs, most of them located in the southwestern part of the island. Here are some of the major dive sites classified from San Miguel to the south of the island:

Paraíso. In front of the San Miguel pier. Excellent visibility and calm waters. Ideal for beginners. Unbeatable schools of fish and large coral species.

Chankanaab. This lagoon with calm waters is a real natural aquarium, to discover with mask and snorkel.

San Francisco. Its sandy plain covered with grasses serves as a corridor between different coral systems. Here you can see large predators such as moray eels and cat sharks.

Santa Rosa. It is distinguished by its wall that goes down to a depth of 120 meters, from its coral structure that starts at 15 meters. Between 20 and 30 meters, there are brightly colored gorgonians and sponges, and an abundance of marine life. Turtles and rays are never far away... As on most of the sites of this type, we dive drifting, letting ourselves be guided along the wall by the marine currents. For experienced divers, with serious guides who know the changing ocean conditions, as the downward currents can suck you into the depths.

Palancar. To the southwest and 2 km from the shore, it is considered one of the most beautiful dive sites in the world, and by far the most popular in the area: healthy coral, giant sponges, tropical fish, caves and underwater chasms. Diving to 20 and 30 meters.

Colombia. Famous for deep diving and its large amount of fish, but also for snorkeling, as there is a wall as well as a coral garden; El Cielo is known for its white sand covered with starfish.

Punta Sur. A technical dive where you will go through underwater reliefs, including a series of long and dark tunnels. Lights are recommended.

In the extreme south, the wall of Maracaibo. The diving here is the most technical of the island, because of the strong marine currents. It is reserved for experienced divers who will be able to drift in the ocean, a little away from the majority of the divers. A coral reef with a flat bottom and calmer waters is also nearby; there is a good chance to meet turtles and manta rays, and small nurse sharks.