Cozumel reefs are perhaps the biggest of all the attractions on the island. This is an interesting and curious fact considering that they are technically beneath the island. Once you go reef diving in Cozumel, you will instantly understand why the reefs have made Cozumel as popular as it has become. Whether you are planning a Cozumel reef snorkeling trip or diving trip, you will find some of the most spectacular dive sites in the Caribbean. There are sites for everyone from the first-time novice to the experienced diver looking advanced dive sites.

The Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park was established by decree of President Bill Clinton in 1996. It includes approximately 85 percent of all the Cozumel reefs and diving sites and spans over 67,000 acres. Because of the fact that the Cozumel reefs comprise one of the most diverse and ecosystems on the planet, it became important to ensure their security and preservation into the future.

There are nearly twenty dive sites open to the public on the west coast of the island where anyone can enjoy the most sought after reef diving in Cozumel. If Cozumel reef snorkeling is more your speed, you will likewise be more than thrilled with the options at your disposal. One of the best sites (and the most popular of all for night diving) is located at Paradise Reef. Paradise Reef is about 200 yards off of the shore and features three distinctive reefs that run parallel to the beach. Visibility is generally always good and divers and snorkelers might even see an octopus or two among the other exotic fish as well as the toad fish, an endemic fish unique to the Caribbean waters surrounding Cozumel.

Cozumel Map

Palancar Horseshoe is another popular dive site on the island largely due to the fact that the currents are nearly always calm and visibility remains at a minimum of 200 feet. The giant coral heads have an abundance of exotic fish and other marine life swimming around, making this one of the most popular destinations for taking underwater photographs while reef diving in Cozumel. Even though the currents are nice and calm, this is not necessarily one of the easiest dive sites on the island. It is considered an intermediate level site whereas Paradise Reef is geared more toward the novice diver.

If you are looking for more Cozumel reef snorkeling and diving after exploring Paradise Reef and Palancar Horseshoe, consider a dive at the popular Santa Rosa Wall. This is a great standby dive site for anyone only spending a few days in Cozumel because of the fact that it can be relied upon to always provide picturesque settings and ideal conditions. The 50-foot wall drops off into the deep sea and giant sponges and large coral formations abound. Eagle rays, octopuses, and reef sharks are just a few of the kinds of marine life you can expect to see while reef diving in Cozumel at Santa Rosa Wall. This is another intermediate dive site that is suitable for beginning divers who have received enough instruction to go it alone in a group with an instructor. It is also an underwater paradise that you will never forget. Cozumel Mexico is the epicenter for scuba diving in the Caribbean Sea for good reason. The visibility in the crystalline water makes viewing the seemingly endless variety of marine wildlife even more enjoyable than in other parts of the world.