An Overview Of Things to See Diving In Cozumel
By Dennis Anderson
What Are Things to See Diving In Cozumel?
What Are Things to See Diving In Cozumel?
At Hotel Villa Deja Blue, we help travelers enjoy Cozumel dives in a relaxing atmosphere leveraging information from our experience living on Cozumel Island.
No matter your diving level or experience, Cozumel offers something special for all divers – from breathtaking coral reefs to an abundance of marine species – there is something to see during any dive trip here.
Cozumel diving at its best occurs between October and May when sea conditions are calm and temperatures remain warm.
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Is Santa Rosa Reef Something to See Diving In Cozumel?
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Situated just south of Palancar Gardens, this dive site features beautiful tunnels and canyons to discover. Perfect for novice divers due to the weak currents, look for lobsters and banded coral shrimp seeking refuge under overhangs while green moray eels lurk within crevices.
As with other Cozumel reefs, Santa Rosa reef is covered in vibrant sponges of all shapes and sizes. You can expect to encounter parrotfish, wrasses, damselfish and blue/brown Chromas; additionally sea fans gently wafting in the water; giant brain coral formations as well as natural amphitheaters can also be found here. It is an excellent dive for macro enthusiasts; keep an eye out for Splendid Toadfish with their distinctive zebra stripes!
Though a stunning reef, this dive site presents unique challenges. To ensure an enjoyable dive experience and to stay safe when diving here, take your time when arriving here and be mindful of any currents that may affect you. As this dive site can sometimes be shallow, safe diving practices must also be adhered to like staying within the buoy line.
Santa Rosa reef boasts not only incredible marine life, but also offers unique rock formations and swim-throughs to explore. Furthermore, there are even overhangs where sea turtles and manta rays (from May through October) can often be spotted.
This reef’s closeness to shore makes accessing it easier, making it ideal for snorkelers who do not wish to venture too far from shore and dive sites that allow Nitrox divers to safely use their air reserves while exploring tunnels and canyons.
Is Colombia Wall Something to See Diving In Cozumel?
Cozumel, Mexico’s stunning island paradise and one of the top diving locations worldwide. Boasting spectacular coral formations, incredible swim throughs, swift currents and even an underwater wreck to explore, this marine protected site provides something for every diver to experience the thrill of diving.
Mesoamerican Reef is the second-largest reef in the world and provides divers with access to one of the world’s most breathtaking underwater landscapes. Stretching over 600 miles from southeast Mexico to Bay of Honduras and featuring numerous spectacular dive sites.
Colombia Wall is a well-known Cozumel dive featuring its famed deep wall. Sloping down to 80 feet, its slope is home to vibrant barrel and basket sponges, colorful coral formations and numerous caves, tunnels and overhangs. Ideal for experienced divers, this dive site often attracts lobsters, barracudas and black groupers as well as eagle rays and turtles – and more!
This dive starts off in a sandy patch near the drop off, with many cuts and channels to discover as you head deeper. At 50-60ft you’ll come upon an impressive brain coral, as well as numerous swim-throughs. On top of the reef is an expansive ledge boasting Midnight Angelfish, French Parrot Fish and scrawled filefish for you to discover.
Another wonderful aspect of this dive site is that it is in an untouched, undisturbed area with no trace of human disruption. Sea turtles thrive here and it is possible to see them on every dive; moreover, May to October is Loggerhead spawning season so prepare yourself for an incredible experience!
At this dive site, no decompression chamber is needed; however there is an emergency medical clinic nearby which may be utilized if necessary. When traveling abroad for diving adventures it is always a wise idea to have dive insurance that offers coverage against accidents related to diving; DAN provides such insurance policies here with full-time professionals available 24/7 for support should any issues arise during diving expeditions.
Is El Castillo Something to See Diving In Cozumel?
El Castillo or “the Castle,” located on Cozumel’s southwest corner, is one of the Caribbean’s premier dive sites and often featured as part of cruise ship excursions. Home to an amazing coral reef system offering numerous activities for scuba divers.
Reefs are vibrant environments filled with alcoves filled with beautiful sponges and coral formations that attract gorgeous sponges. You may spot group glassy sweepers floating gracefully through blue waters, as well as Butter, Indigo or Shy Hamlets resting comfortably among lettuce or finger coral formations near the top of the reef.
The Colombia Wall is another highlight of this dive site. It boasts massive overhangs of stony coral, numerous caves, tunnels and caverns for divers to explore as well as mesmerizing blue abyss water that mesmerizes divers and giant coral pillars, barracuda and eagle rays!
Another stand-out feature of this dive site is its sandy bottom that slopes towards depths, offering beginners a safe place to learn their diving techniques in an enclosed environment. Furthermore, December-March are great months to spot marine life such as bull sharks or turtles – while all year-round they can be seen alongside eagle rays and turtles!
Cozumel is an incredible destination for divers of all levels, featuring spectacular reefs and topography suitable for every dive level. Part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef system – second in size only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef – Cozumel itself serves as a popular tourist spot, boasting several beaches as well as hotels that provide world-class service and amenities.
Cozumel offers something for every type of traveller, whether they prefer lounging on the beach with a refreshing beverage in hand or taking part in outdoor activities available – both relaxation and active pursuits alike! You can take in stunning natural displays while visiting ancient Mayan pyramids including Kukulkan Temple for an unforgettable vacation experience.
Is Los Arcos Something to See Diving In Cozumel?
Los Arcos lies at the center of Cozumel’s marine park and offers divers an amazing diving experience with its diverse marine life and features to explore. Divers can explore coral formations, massive sponges, caverns and swim-through tunnels at depths between 15 meters to 36 meters – perfect for novice divers learning their craft for the first time all the way to veteran veterans with 100+ dives under their belt! This site makes an amazing home base for new scuba divers looking to begin diving or those with experience looking for something different.
Los Arcos Marine Sanctuary, composed of stunning granite islands that rise out of Banderas Bay, is an exceptional marine sanctuary that provides visitors with swimming, snorkeling and other water activities such as paddleboarding and kayaking. Los Arcos also provides visitors with an opportunity to spot many of its over 500 fish species that reside here – ideal for wildlife enthusiasts!
Gardens, Caves, Bricks and Horseshoe. Each dive site boasts stunning coral formations. At these dive spots you can also experience breathtaking ocean floor abyss views as well as frequent sightings of sea turtles and eagle rays.
Los Arcos Marine Sanctuary offers more than its fair share of stunning coral and marine life; Los Arcos also plays host to an abundance of unique invertebrates like pufferfish, octopus, moray eels, angelfish and many other types of beautiful reef fish species – you might even get lucky enough to witness an endemic spotted toadfish which only lives here!
Although scuba diving is the ideal way to experience Los Arcos’ beauty, mask and snorkel tours are also an option. Many major hotels in Puerto Vallarta offer Discover Scuba courses which will teach you quickly how to use scuba equipment correctly while breathing correctly underwater and viewing marine life at Los Arcos without prior experience or certification requirements.
Hotel Los Arcos guests will appreciate being just a short walk from both the beach and pier near Mismaloya – making this hotel one of the best choices for experiencing Banderas Bay’s magnificent natural beauty.
Be sure to book your trip with Hotel Villa Deja Blue and dont forget the best breakfast in Cozumel at la cocina de Silvia and enjoy your stay on the beautiful island of Cozumel.