Dive Cozumel

Our Local Expert Says:

Very pleasant boutique beachfront hotel on the "other" side of the island, far from the crowds. Highly recommended, but beware the undertow on this side of the island.

Description:

This is another hotel geared towards divers. It is part of the Vista Del Mar Plaza and is located beside Aqua Safari just on the edge of downtown. This is a friendly, family oriented hotel with rooms that have two double beds, a refrigerator and private balconies that overlook the ocean. There is no elevator so be sure to ask for the ground floor if you want to avoid climbing stairs. The shopping plaza has several shops selling jewelry, a car rental facility, a mini drug-store and a liquor store. Jeanie's Waffle House is located right beside the shops."

Description:

Palancar Shallows and Gardens is another part of the famous Palancar Reef in the Parque Marino de Cozumel. Novice divers will enjoy this shallow dive with its coral mountain that gently slopes to 70 feet. Two broad reef beds are filled with valleys, "finger canyons," where there are whip and brain corals alongside plenty of fish including nurse sharks. There is a lot of traffic to this site, but it remains in good condition and visibility is excellent.

Description:

This small operation boasts over 40 years of teaching safe diving and exploring the reefs of Cozumel. It prides itself on giving individual attention; eight divers are the maximum permitted on any dive. Their downtown center alongside the Vista del Mar Hotel is an accredited 5-star PADI facility. A two-tank morning dive, with up to depths of 80-feet, usually leaves at 8:30am. They also have a facility in the luxurious Plaza Las Glorias where both snorkeling and diving equipment is rented. Reservations are required.

Description:

Paraiso Reef is 330-feet offshore from the International Cruise Docks, just south of San Miguel. With a maximum depth of 30-feet, weak current and clear water, it is the preferred spot for dive operators to take beginners. This reef has endured increased diving activity and pier construction. Nonetheless, aquatic life still flourishes. Sea fans, sea cucumbers, moray eels and queen trigger fish frolic about the huge formations of brain and star coral. It's an excellent location for night diving. Those visiting the reef must pay a small fee (cash only) to the Parque Marino de Cozumel.

Description:

Owner Chino knows all of the popular Cozumel dive sites but likes to keep things flexible, so he has no set diving schedule. His flexibility allows divers to request specific sites of special interest, like wall diving at Santa Rosa Wall or Punta Sur Reef. Snorkeling trips, certification courses and rental equipment are offered but Chino prefers if you bring your own equipment (always a good idea anyway). Call ahead for reservations.

Our Local Expert Says:

Very pleasant boutique beachfront hotel on the "other" side of the island, far from the crowds. Highly recommended, but beware the undertow on this side of the island.

Description:

This is another hotel geared towards divers. It is part of the Vista Del Mar Plaza and is located beside Aqua Safari just on the edge of downtown. This is a friendly, family oriented hotel with rooms that have two double beds, a refrigerator and private balconies that overlook the ocean. There is no elevator so be sure to ask for the ground floor if you want to avoid climbing stairs. The shopping plaza has several shops selling jewelry, a car rental facility, a mini drug-store and a liquor store. Jeanie's Waffle House is located right beside the shops."

Description:

Naturally, this reef is located just off the shores of Playa San Francisco (the beach is actually named after the reef). This one kilometer reef has a wall of coral that is only 35-50 feet deep but with strong currents. Many dive operators take beginning divers here when they are ready for their first wall dive or drift dive. Visibility is excellent and there is spectacular coral and brightly colored sponges along with plenty of angelfish, clown fish and grouper. This is a good spot for marine photography; it is part of the Parque Marino de Cozumel.

Description:

Caballito del Caribe is one of the more reliable dive centers on the island with excellent prices. They offer a variety of dives in the morning and afternoon with small groups of six to eight people. The real bargains are their dive packages. Sailboat rentals or tours in a glass bottom boat can also be arranged through their associates at Cozumel Sailing.

Our Local Expert Says:

Very pleasant boutique beachfront hotel on the "other" side of the island, far from the crowds. Highly recommended, but beware the undertow on this side of the island.

Description:

This is another hotel geared towards divers. It is part of the Vista Del Mar Plaza and is located beside Aqua Safari just on the edge of downtown. This is a friendly, family oriented hotel with rooms that have two double beds, a refrigerator and private balconies that overlook the ocean. There is no elevator so be sure to ask for the ground floor if you want to avoid climbing stairs. The shopping plaza has several shops selling jewelry, a car rental facility, a mini drug-store and a liquor store. Jeanie's Waffle House is located right beside the shops."

Description:

With 20 year of experience, owner and divemaster Darwin Zapata instructs beginners and seasoned divers in the ways of scuba diving. Small, fast boats take divers on trips to the reefs where they practice computer dives, refresher courses, night dives, certification skills or NITROX dives. Rates are variable according to the type of dive. The company offers dive packages that include accomodations.

Description:

The average depth of this reef is 50-70 feet making it a great reef for the second dive. It is rich with coral, sponges and sea fans as well as sea cucumbers, eels, snapper, eagle rays and other species that dwell in its coral valleys. The swift current makes it best for drift dives where you relax and let the current carry you along. Tormentos is one of the best places for underwater photography and divers flock here to snap photos of the amazing marine life. It is part of the Parque Marino de Cozumel.

Our Local Expert Says:

Very pleasant boutique beachfront hotel on the "other" side of the island, far from the crowds. Highly recommended, but beware the undertow on this side of the island.

Description:

This is another hotel geared towards divers. It is part of the Vista Del Mar Plaza and is located beside Aqua Safari just on the edge of downtown. This is a friendly, family oriented hotel with rooms that have two double beds, a refrigerator and private balconies that overlook the ocean. There is no elevator so be sure to ask for the ground floor if you want to avoid climbing stairs. The shopping plaza has several shops selling jewelry, a car rental facility, a mini drug-store and a liquor store. Jeanie's Waffle House is located right beside the shops."