Mexico Beach Vacations & Luxury Mexico Resort Reviews

Scuba Diving, & Snorkelling in Cozumel & the Mayan Riviera

Cozumel, or the "gem of the Caribbean", is Mexicoʼs largest island.  Voted as one of the top two dive destinations in the world, Cozumel was firmly placed on the tourist map in the 1960ʼs when Jacques Cousteau recorded a series of breathtaking documentaries on the stunning reefs that line the island.  Today, these aquamarine waters attract a large mix of international divers and snorkelers.

Visitors often describe Cozumel as the best diving waters in the Western Hemisphere, for good reason.  The gentle currents and spectacular reefs are the stuff that divers dream of.  Exploring these reefs can become truly addictive.  The pitted ironstone patterns carved into the reef walls by the steady Giana currents is simply beautiful.  At some places, you can swim in and out of maze-like coral walls and statuesque shelves.  Add to that the sheer thrill of seeing glorious life forms darting near you and you have the best diving experience ever.

Clear visibility is another plus factor.  Currents flush the water continuously and this makes for excellent visibility even at depths of 100 ft.  Every diving experience ends too soon and you find yourself gripped by an insatiable desire to visit Cozumel again and again. 

Drift Diving

Cozumel is perhaps the only place in the world where you can enjoy the relaxing feeling of flowing with the drift.  The mild current pulls at you the moment you plunge in.  Soon, you automatically find yourself surrounded by lush underwater coral life without having taken any effort to get there.  Relax and let yourself go.  This is Paradise!

For all its mildness, drift diving at Cozumel can be something of a surprise for first timers.  The speed of the current changes dramatically with the depth of the water and this can be unnerving if you are new to diving.  However, the colorful coral gardens are an exciting first-time experience for novices and every bit worth the effort. 

Cenote Diving

Cenote diving is another popular sport in Cozumel.  Cenotes are underground caves.  They come into being when water has eroded the walls of limestone enough to form huge gaping tunnels.  The Yucatan mainland is most popular for cenote diving.  Imagine drifting lazily through picturesque tunnels made of rock, swimming past gurgling underground lakes and gliding around huge limestone stalactites to look at rock waterfalls! Cenote diving offers you some of the most dramatic underground vistas you can ever imagine. 

Cave Diving

Cave diving is fairly similar to this but more awe-inspiring.  Not recommended for people who are afraid of dark enclosed spaces, cave diving will take you into the pitch-black wombs of caves.  You will get to see flowstones in all possible shapes, multicolored formations and vivid walls.  Cave diving can get pretty scary if youʼre not tuned into that kind of experience, although if you are, the eerie sensation of gliding through wide mouthed caves away from all traces of humanity is sensational. 

The Diving Experience

So, are you ready to take the plunge?

Getting to your destination is easy.  Because diving is such a popular activity, dive-operators are plentiful and not very expensive.  A typical morning trip may include up to two dives.  A word of caution: dive only with licensed dive masters who live and work on the Island throughout the year.  You can easily hire or buy equipment and hop into one of the many organized tours of the area. 

Visit popular diving areas like the San Francisco reef, the Yucab reef and the Rosa Wall.  The Palancar reef has beautiful underground canyons and caves with a teeming population of fish. 

The most popular shore diving area in Cozumel is at Playa Bonita.  Fine sand, clear water and the wide variety of marine life has made this area popular for snorkeling.  Several dive shops provide you with tanks and gear.  However, this is the windy side of the beach.  Though the waters are shallow, the waves and the underwater tow can be pretty strong.  Be sure to come with a guide or dive master who knows the area. 

Off the paved road, you will find the Playa Bosh and El Mirador.  Diving here is a wonderful experience because you can see a variety of marine life at depths of just 35ʼ to 60ʼ.  If youʼre lucky, you will catch lazy slammer-heads swimming past you in careless abandon or even brush past a gay reef shark. 

Some dive shops offer boat services to the far off East side.  While this can be an exciting trip, getting there may take anywhere between 1-2 ½ hours; a long haul in choppy waters.  Small boats can easily get knocked around and you may have to depend on your own physical prowess to get back if your luck is down.  This may not really be your idea of fun.  The West side, particularly the Barracuda, Maracaibo Deep and the Garganta Del Diablo are more challenging. 

Documents and Licenses

To dive in Cozumel, you have to be a certified diver (e.g.  PADI - Professional Association of Diving Instructors) and you will need to produce your dive log and dive card.  Medical certification of your fitness is a must.  Don't lose heart if you donʼt know how to dive.  Many dive shops offer courses for beginners.  A beginners course will provide you with all the necessary documents once youʼve finished.  You will need specific certification for cenote or cave diving.

The aquamarine waters and the beautiful reefs of the Cozumel offer one of the best diving experiences ever.  This part of the Great Maya Barrier Reef can seduce and pleasure any diver beyond their wildest expectations.  The views, sights and the experience of floating through clear waters is one that cannot be adequately described in words.  You really have to try it to believe it!

©SarasMexico.com Scuba Diving, & Snorkelling in Cozumel & the Mayan Riviera publishing rights

Top Vacation Package Deals at Expedia.com

Your Trip, Your Way at Expedia.ca