Located just 12 miles off of the Yucatan peninsula, Cozumel is Mexico’s largest Caribbean island. It is a popular destination for college students on spring break as well as being one of the busiest ports of call for cruise ships. People come to Cozumel for the pristine white beaches, the crystal clear water, and to enjoy some of the best scuba diving in the world.
From the city of San Miguel on the central coast, down to the southern tip of the island, there are a series of reefs and shallow coral formations that make Cozumel a paradise for scuba divers. There are more than a dozen specific sites for diving, each with their own unique attributes. The most popular of these are the Columbia, Palancar, and San Francisco reef as well as Chankanaab Lagoon. There is no shortage of options when taking a scuba diving trip to Cozumel.
The abundant marine life here, which display a myriad of vibrant colors make scuba diving in Cozumel an unforgettable vacation. The waters here are extremely clear and coral reef formations go on for miles. In most places, you won’t have to submerge more than 40 feet to experience the unique sights this place has to offer. Explore underwater overhangs and caves, follow along one of the many coral reefs, or experience the huge variety of fish that call this place home. All of these things are what make Cozumel an exciting place to dive.
The Mystical Cenotes of Cozumel
If you’re an avid adventurer and you’re looking for an exciting excursion you may consider doing some cenote diving. Cenotes are deep water filled sinkholes that held great spiritual significance to the ancient Mayans who believed they were the entrance to the underworld. Diving in these deep and mysterious underwater caves makes for an adventure that few people ever dare to attempt. Cozumel is in close vicinity to a variety of cenotes and many scuba divers travel here just to explore these frightening caves.
If you’re new to the sport, don’t worry. As long as you have the spirit and desire, you can learn to scuba dive, and there’s no better place to do it than Cozumel. Instructors will teach you all the safety procedures and proper techniques for diving, and be there every step of the way to help you have an enjoyable experience.
Overall, Cozumel is one of the most popular scuba diving destinations in the world. There is no shortage of dive shops or tour operators here, and choosing one will just come down to personal preference. Make sure to plan your trip well and book with a company that you feel comfortable with. Because of the sports popularity in this area it’s not uncommon to be diving with 20 or more people. However, even with crowds of divers, Cozumel offers some of the most breath-taking sights around, and it’s easy to see why so many people visit here.
