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
Warmer than usual right now, but not hot enough to bleach.
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 21 days ago
at Devil's Throat
Vulnerable
Brown Anole
Seen 21 days ago
at Devil's Throat
Least concern
Great-Tailed Grackle
Seen 22 days ago
at Santa Rosa Wall
Least concern
Nurse shark
Seen 24 days ago
at Columbia Reef
Vulnerable
Southern stingray
Seen 24 days ago
at C-53 Felipe Xicotencatl
Near threatened
Splendid toadfish
Seen 24 days ago
at Palancar Reef
Endangered
Atlantic Sergeant Major
Seen 26 days ago
at Santa Rosa Wall
Least concern
Bananaquit
Seen 26 days ago
at Santa Rosa Wall
Least concern
French Angelfish
Seen 27 days ago
at Santa Rosa Wall
Least concern
Spotted eagle ray
Seen 29 days ago
at Palancar Reef
Endangered
Green turtle
Seen 1 month ago
at Columbia Reef
Least concern
Caribbean reef shark
Seen 1 month ago
at Palancar Reef
Endangered
Caribbean reef octopus
Seen 1 month ago
at Paradise Reef
Least concern
Spotted moray eel
Seen 1 month ago
at Santa Rosa Wall
Least concern
Great barracuda
Seen 1 month ago
at C-53 Felipe Xicotencatl
Least concern
Queen angelfish
Seen 1 month ago
at Paradise Reef
Least concern
Hawksbill turtle
Seen 2 months ago
at Palancar Reef
Critically endangered
Green moray
Seen 2 months ago
at Paradise Reef
Least concern
Green moray eel
Seen 2 months ago
at Devil's Throat
Least concern
Nassau grouper
Seen 4 months ago
at Palancar Reef
Critically endangered
Black grouper
Seen 11 months ago
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.