Cozumel, an island off the East Coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, is a world-renowned diving paradise. In my previous article I talked about how you can spend a day in Cozumel, but if you want to spend a full day in Cozumel, you should definitely add scuba diving to your list.
During the time I worked in the Caribbean, Mexico was one of the places where we conducted our diving operations. Cozumel is the place where we do the most intensive course in Mexico.
So what makes Cozumel so special?
The first reason is the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, of which Cozumel is a part. This reef system stretches from the Yucatan peninsula to the Gulf of Honduras and covers an area of about 1200 km and includes Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. The largest reef system in the western hemisphere, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is home to hundreds of species of fish, turtles and sharks and provides food.
Cozumel has around 30 dive sites suitable for all levels of divers. Since we usually did courses, we did most of our dives from the shore at the dive center. But every time we went to different dive spots for advanced courses, the underwater world of Cozumel fascinated me.
Nurse Sharks and Reef Sharks are among the most common shark species you can see. It is also possible to see Whale Shark around Cozumel seasonally. If you plan your dive between May and September, you are more likely to see Whale Sharks. You can also see Bull Sharks between November and March on the western reefs in Cozumel and in Playa Del Carmen on the mainland. Although Blacktip Reef Shark sightings are rumored, I did not have the opportunity to see it in Cozumel.
Cozumel offers diving spots suitable for all levels from beginners to advanced divers, from wall dives that suddenly get deeper to coral gardens and shallow reefs for calm diving lovers. The main spots that come to mind are Palancar reef, Chankaanap National park, Santa Rosa Wall and Colombia Reef. Since Cozumel is an underwater protected area, you have to pay some money as part of your dive fee. While diving, you can take a look at the coral conservation projects and see the projects done.
Turtles, barracuda, parrot fish, moray eels and octopus that you can see throughout the year are among the creatures you will encounter in your dives.
If you dive a little carefully, you can see Sea Horse and Sea Needle. The dives I enjoy the most are the dives where I dive calmly and slowly on smaller reefs. Because I have the opportunity to encounter many more creatures that are overlooked.
If you like current diving, you are in the right place. Especially in the reefs on the west side of the island, the current will allow you to dive effortlessly at some points.
Winter is the best season for diving. This is when tourism is high, the weather is warm and the ocean is calm. Visibility is usually very good and water temperatures are around 26C-27C. I think the only downside of this period is that there are many tourists and prices are high.
If you prefer spring, you will have similar underwater conditions but unfortunately there will be fewer fish species on the reefs. During the summer months, water temperatures reach up to 29C-30C, but this is also the hurricane season for the Caribbean. It usually blows in the afternoons. Although we had some difficulties during our shore dives due to the strong winds blowing in the afternoon, all difficulties will be left behind from the moment you put your head in the water in Cozumel.
If you are ever in Cozumel, do not return without diving in this beautiful geography. After the dive is over, most dive centers have cafe-style places for post-dive chats. Make new friends with divers from all over the world and enjoy being a big family.
