Facts
of Cozumel Reefs
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Facts
of Cozumel Reefs
|
|
Paradise Reef
Depth: 20 to 50 feet
Skill level: Novice
This is a popular spot for snorklers as well as night dives and
second-tank shallow dives. There are many shallow patch reefs, large
brain coral, sea fans and sponges. Also a good chance of finding
Cozumel's Splendid Toadfish.
Balones of Chankanaab
Depth: 60 to 70 feet
Skill level: Novice
A series of ballon - shaped coral heads. Colorful, abundant marine
life, lobster and crab.
Chankanaab Caves
Depth: 35 feet max
Skill level: Novice
This is an interesting dive at the south end of Chankanaab park.
Excellent beach dive that can be reached either from Chankanaab park
itself or by entering south of the park towards Corona beach where
there is no park entrance fee.Cold fresh water flows out of limestone
caves called cenotes. Large Tarpan can be found swimming around in the
entrance to the caves. Stay in the ambient light and do not venture far
back.Interesting mixing of cold fresh water on the top layer with the
warm salt water below.
Tormentos Reef
Depth: 50 to 70 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Some of the fastest currents can be found here. Many large coral
pinnacles covered with brain and whip corals. Eels, angelfish,groupers,
grunts and snapper are common as well as smaller reef fish.
Yucab Reef
Depth: 45 to 60 feet
Skill level: Novice
Excellent 2nd dive. Dense reef full of color and marine life including
lobster, eels and crab.
Punta Tunich
Depth: 50 to 130 feet
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Often swift current. From a sand bottom at 70 feet, a long ridge of
coral rises from the sand dunes between 40 to 60 feet. Big grouper and
playful green moaray eels.
San Francisco Reef
Depth: 35 to 50 feet
Skill level: Intemediate
One of the shallowest wall dives. Vey rich with marine life. Excellent
2nd dive.
Santa Maria Reef
Depth: 40 to 60 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Many large schools of angelfish.
Santa Rosa Wall
Depth: 40 to 130 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Popular deep dive. Drift dive over huge coral heads that rise up from
the deep blue. Impressive overhangs and colorful sponges. At the
northern end are a series of swim through tunnels that the divemaster
will lead you through. Keep your eye open towards the deep channel
where you may spot eagle rays and turtles.
Paso de Cedral
Depth: 35 to 60 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Popular spot for feeding the locals! Massive black groupers will follow
you once you enter the water. Do not feed the fish though. Let the
divemasters feed the eels and groupers here as they have more
experience. Spectacular cavern, tunnel and swim through diving.
Cedral Wall
Depth: 50 to 90 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Usually strong current present. Fairly flat but full of color and
marine life.
Little Caves
Depth: 50 to 70 feet
Skill level: Novice
This is an interesting dive with many colorful canyons, deep ravines
and crevices.
Palancar Horseshoe
Depth: 25 to 125 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Towers of brain, star and sheet coral heads protrude within 20 feet of
the surface. Excellent dive spot.
Palancar Gardens
Depth: 40 to 70 feet
Skill level: Novice
This is a great 2nd dive after diving Palancar Caves. Beautiful dive
with plenty of color and many nice caverns.
Palancar Caves
Depth: 60 to 90 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Excellent tunnels and caves to swim through. Abundant marine life. Very
popular deep dive
Columbia Wall
Depth: 60 to 90 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
One of my favorite dives. Not as many divers come here due to the
distance. Huge coral pinnacles and a very impressive drop off. You can
often see large marine life such as eagle rays, turtles and large
baracuda.
Columbia Shallow
Depth: 35 feet max
Skill level: Novice
This is one of the best shallow dives on the island in my opinion. huge
variety of marine life and many coral heads. Usually 2nd dive only for
those divers who have just finished the first dive at either Columbia
Wall or Punta Sur due to the location.
Punta Sur
Depth: 90 to 130 feet
Skill level: Advanced
This is diving for the experienced at it's best. Home to the famous
"Devil's Throat" which starts at the opening of a dark narrow tunnel at
90 feet and takes you out into a sunlite opening at 130 feet on the
wall. Eagle rays and sharks are occasionally spoted here. Other spots
include the cathedral, which is a large cave opening with giant sponges
that form a cross in the ceiling of the cave where light passes through.
Maracaibo Deep
Depth: 90 to 140 feet
Skill level: Expert
This is the southernmost reef on the island and is very exposed to
current and topside surf. Wall starts at 90 feet and is covered with
large orange elephant ear sponges, black coral and sheet coral. Sharks,
rays and loggerhead turtles swim through the channel.
Baracuda Reef
Depth: 80 to 100 feet
Skill level: Expert
Baracuda lies on the north side of the island. This dive site is rarely
visited due to rough conditions, even in good weather. The current runs
2 to 3 knots and downcurrents are not uncommon. For the truly
adventurous diver, it is a rewarding challenge though and you can often
site large schools of fish, turtles, and even hammerhead sharks have
been sighted here in the past.
