Usually, the first step in diving here is choosing a dive operator. Because of Cozumel’s diving fame, the list of operators is extensive, so choosing one is difficult. Two dive outfits stand out from the rest: Aqua Safari and Aquatic Sports. The first is reportedly the oldest shop on the island, and it was opened in 1966. What is legend at this point claims that it was co-founded by Ramon Zapata, Sr., who was made famous by Cousteau when he arrived to the island in the 1960s and dove with Zapata. (Of course, the documentaries that Cousteau which came out of this meeting are responsible for the initial waves of diving tourism to the island.) Beyond fame and age, Aqua Safari is noteworthy because of its personable, responsible, humorous, and above all, knowledgeable (of diving and the island’s history) crew. The second operator is a smaller outfit owned by Sergio Sandoval, who’s diving expertise and knowledge of  underwater photography also sets him apart from the long list of competitors.

Whoever you choose to dive with, expect to pay around $75 U.S. for a two-tank dive, and know that because of the island’s strong currents, drift dives are most common here. Also know that there is a hyperbaric chamber, Hiperbarica de Cozumel on 6th Street North, and Buceo Medico Mexicano is on 5th Street South.

A dive site you should not miss is Punta Sur, where expert divers can explore Devil’s Throat. Along this reef you are likely to swim with turtles and eagle rays. Experts should also be sure to explore  Santa Rosa, Wall. Here, the strong currents will lead you to caves, giant sea fans, tube sponges, coral mounds, and swimming with midnight parrotfish.

Beginners also have a variety of amazing sites to choose from. Paraiso and Chankanaab Reef are both spots that offer shallow dives with light currents. The former is known for its brain, gorgonian and star corals, the somewhat rare, Cozumel splendid toadfish, crabs,  octopus, and moray eels. The latter is loaded with corals, fans, and marine creatures such as mollusks, duster worms, and scorpion fish.

Whether you’ve been diving here since the 1960s or are just starting to discover the magical worlds beneath the ocean’s surface, Cozumel’s underwater paradise will not easily be erased from your memory.

Besides fishing, swimming, diving and snorkeling, the two most popular water activities here are kiteboarding and sailing. Sailing tours are available around the island, and Cozumel Sailing offers options for passengers and for experts who want boat rentals. Windsurfing is also a local pastime, but today most of the windsurfers have evolved to kiteboarding.

One such local, who moved on to kiteboarding in 1999, is Raul de Lille. Raul, an Olympic windsurfer, and now a kiteboarding instructor,  is the owner of Kite Cozumel, which is located north of downtown, near Country Club beach – which often offers great kiteboarding and windsurfing conditions and is also the island location of the North American Windsurfing Championship.

Kite Cozumel offers classes and rental equipment for students at all levels, has private classes, a three-day intensive course for beginners, a certification course, and riding tours to the five spots on the island known to have winds strong enough for riding: Country Club, Punta Sur, the secluded North End, the East Side (such as Chen Rio or Punta Chiqueros), and Punta Molas Lighthouse.

For those who prefer the old-school method of wave-riding, grab a surfboard and head to the East Side. Punta Morena is usually the best place on the island to hang ten. If you don’t know how to surf, but always wanted to learn, check out h2o. If you need a lift and/or forgot your board, they also rent surf gear and offer transportation options for a full day of surfing fun.

A less active way of flying over the water, but exhilarating none the less, is via parasailing. This includes a harness and parachute that is pulled behind a speedboat. Cozumel Tours has 10 minute tours leaving from the Aqua Safari dock from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Whatever method you choose to experience the thrill of the island’s wind and saltwater in your face, Cozumel will make you want to come back for more.

The most popular activity here, of course, is scuba diving. Dive masters offer lessons and trips for all levels and styles. If you happen to be a novice, one of the best, most experienced (over 40 years), and yet least expensive, dive centers on the island is Aqua Safari. They have a great group of divers and a bare-bones, but very clean and comfortable, hotel next door for divers on a budget. No matter where you rent your gear, Palancar and Punta Sur will impress even the most experience divers.

Of course, for those who prefer a shallower (literally) experience, there’s always snorkeling and swimming at the island’s many beaches. Sergio is an invaluable person to contact for diving gear and guidance as well as snorkeling, and Palancar and Chankanaab offer some of the best snorkeling on the island.

However, if one simply wants to hang out at the beach… let me count the ways. Starting at the north, there’s Playa San Juan. This beach is good for snorkeling and (most days) is great for windsurfing and kiteboarding. For calm, crystal waters, one should head south, to the white-sand beaches of the west side of the island. Of course, these tend to be crowded with tourists. To find full service and beach amusements, head to one of the beach clubs like Playa Sol or Paradise Beach. Playa Corona offers a less crowded alternative, and Parque Chankanaab is a genuine beach amusement park.

An ideal beach option, and an all-around nature and sightseeing event, can be found at Parque Punta Sur. This reserve is near the Caracol ruin as well as the Celarain Lighthouse and museum, and is easily a day’s worth of fun and nature.

For fewer crowds, but harsher surfs and currents (ideal for kiteboarding), the east side of the island is virtually undeveloped and protected. Just north of Punta Sur lies Playa Chen Rio, which is one of the few spots on the windward side that’s good for snorkeling. There is a restaurant here that serves freshly-caught seafood, and just a bit farther north is Playa Chiqueros, who’s currents are also calm for this side of the island. Past this is Playa de San Martin, where, during the summer months (and often into the fall) turtle eggs hatch and preservationist (and visitors) can gather, learn, and assist the baby turtles out of their nests and into the sea. Lastly, for surfers and boogie-boarders, but not for swimmers, Punta Morena is farther north.

Finally, for a non-beach outing, but one connected to nature nonetheless, Cozumel offers horseback riding (see Rancho Buenavista – on the eastern side of the island), golf (at Cozumel Country Club – in the north), and Mayan ruins which are surrounded by flor and fauna (also on the eastern side).

Image Courtesy of Lena Hyde

Just after Valentines Day, the yearly fun begins with the North American Windsurfing Championship, which takes place on the north side of the island. Participants come from all over the Americas to compete to enter the Pan-American Games. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyC0cVT41qY[/youtube]

Of course, as you know, March brings carnaval at the beginning of the month, from March 2nd to March 9th. However, what many of you might not know is that during this same week the Kiteboarding and Windsurf Tournament is held.

Next, at the end of April, on the 29th, begins the El Cedral Fair. For those of you not familiar with El Cedral, it’s a charming little town in the center of the island. Each year, they celebrate their ancestors’ arrival, after they fleed from the Caste War in the Yucatan, from April 29th to May 3rd.

As we move further into May, sports fishing and golf come to bloom. From the 14th to the 16th, is the Mexican Boat Rodeo, also known as the Grand Slam of Sports Fishing. Also on the 14th, the InterContinental Resort sponsors the International Cozumel Island Golf Tournament.

Also in May, is Xcaret’s Sacred Mayan Journey. This crossing is made in handmade canoes from Xcaret to Cozumel, and back to Playa del Carmen. This is the 50 kilometer journey that the ancient Maya endured in order to worship the Goddess of fertility, Ix Chel.

June, July, and August are fairly quiet, except, of course, for the fairs, parties, and turtle observation and workshops that take place. September means more parties – both national ones and the local Fiesta de San Miguel Arcangel. Actually, October is probably the only fairly quiet month on the island.

November brings with it Dia de los Muertos, the Cozumel Photo Shootout on November 15th, and, of course, the biggest event of all: Ironman.

Cozumelanians have been practicing the carnaval tradition for over a 100 years, and it is a time they go all out on costumes, concerts, and parades. This year, the week long festival promises to be one of the best and has the islanders talking of how 9 million pesos will be spent on the local party. The municipal government has announced that popular music acts such as Yuri, Belinda, and La Sonora Dinamita will be topping the bill this year, and tickets will be available at the Municipal Palace, on the main square.

The festivities begin on Wednesday, March 2 and will continue until Wednesday March 9th. The big parades will take place on Saturday through Tuesday. Two events not to be missed will take place on March 6th and March 8th. The first is a concert in the park, Quintana Roo. La Sonora Dinamita will be playing cumbia music – popular throughout Mexico (especially in the Yucatan), the Caribbean, and Central and South America (especially Columbia). The other event takes place on Fat Tuesday and is the most spectacular of all the parades. The floats flow by the malecon (boardwalk), along the sea, and glitter with sequins and feathers. That night the party will reach a crescendo with music and dancing in the street.

Many hotels, such as Flamingo Hotel, will have floats in the parade and invite their guests to join in the local fun. They are also offering special rates for carnaval week.

Image courtesy of Lena Hyde