Cozumel
Mexico · Caribbean
A 48km-long limestone island off the Yucatán, Cozumel is the easiest first class drift diving in the western hemisphere: clear blue water pushed north along a chain of cuts, swim throughs, and coral spurs that bottom out at 20–40m. Big eagle ray and turtle traffic, splendid toadfish on the sand, and a reef that has bounced back well from past bleaching.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Less hard coral than the photos. Fish life, sponges, and the wall topography are still excellent. Best at depth (>20 m) and on the cooler shoulder months (Dec–Mar).
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
Hot enough that coral is bleaching now.
Fishing
Quiet water, and the protection is actively patrolled.
Sources · AGRRA and GCRMN reef surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
Coral cover over time
Live coral cover, by survey year
Across 7 survey years from 2011 to 2022, live coral cover here has risen from 10% to 11%. Every point is a real survey reading, never a projection.
Live coral cover, percent by year
| Year | Coral cover |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 10% |
| 2012 | 17% |
| 2014 | 12% |
| 2016 | 17% |
| 2018 | 13% |
| 2021 | 12% |
| 2022 | 11% |
What you will see
21 species across the dive sites here
American Crocodile
Seen 2 months ago
at Devil's Throat
Vulnerable
Brown Anole
Seen 2 months ago
at Devil's Throat
Least concern
Great-Tailed Grackle
Seen 2 months ago
at Santa Rosa Wall
Least concern
Nurse shark
Seen 2 months ago
at Columbia Reef
Vulnerable
Southern stingray
Seen 2 months ago
at C-53 Felipe Xicotencatl
Near threatened
Splendid toadfish
Seen 2 months ago
at Palancar Reef
Endangered
Atlantic Sergeant Major
Seen 2 months ago
at Santa Rosa Wall
Least concern
Bananaquit
Seen 2 months ago
at Santa Rosa Wall
Least concern
French Angelfish
Seen 2 months ago
at Santa Rosa Wall
Least concern
Spotted eagle ray
Seen 3 months ago
at Palancar Reef
Endangered
Green turtle
Seen 3 months ago
at Columbia Reef
Least concern
Caribbean reef shark
Seen 3 months ago
at Palancar Reef
Endangered
Caribbean reef octopus
Seen 3 months ago
at Paradise Reef
Least concern
Spotted moray eel
Seen 3 months ago
at Santa Rosa Wall
Least concern
Great barracuda
Seen 3 months ago
at C-53 Felipe Xicotencatl
Least concern
Queen angelfish
Seen 3 months ago
at Paradise Reef
Least concern
Hawksbill turtle
Seen 4 months ago
at Palancar Reef
Critically endangered
Green moray
Seen 4 months ago
at Paradise Reef
Least concern
Green moray eel
Seen 4 months ago
at Devil's Throat
Least concern
Nassau grouper
Seen 6 months ago
at Palancar Reef
Critically endangered
Black grouper
Seen Aug 2025
at Santa Rosa Wall
Near threatened
Dive sites
Palancar Reef
hawksbill turtle · splendid toadfish · spotted eagle ray · nassau grouper
Santa Rosa Wall
hawksbill turtle · black grouper · caribbean reef shark · spotted moray eel
Devil's Throat
caribbean reef shark · green moray eel · nassau grouper · bananaquit
Columbia Reef
hawksbill turtle · green turtle · splendid toadfish · spotted eagle ray
C-53 Felipe Xicotencatl
splendid toadfish · green moray eel · great barracuda · nurse shark
Paradise Reef
splendid toadfish · spotted eagle ray · queen angelfish · caribbean reef octopus
What divers say
I learned to dive in Cozumel and now I judge every drift dive against it. Most lose.
Good to know
Marine park fee
~$5/day, usually collected by your op. Keep your wristband.
Hurricane season
August–October peak risk; trip insurance with weather coverage is sensible.