There is no match of Mexico when it comes to the most amazing coastal beauty. Every year tourists from all over the world flock around here to have the taste of this beauty. Apart from being famous for its diverse landscape of mountains, adventurous deserts, and jungles, it is the gulfs of mesmerizing beaches that make the scuba divers visit this place in search of the best scuba diving destinations in Mexico.
Cozumel is one of the stunning islands of Mexico situated beside the Caribbean Sea, and it is highly renowned for being a heavenly place for all the scuba diving lovers. So, if you’re planning a trip to Mexico, it won’t be complete without exploring the unspoiled beautiful nature, vibrant reefs, pristine water beaches, and the adventurous scuba diving in Cozumel. The name “Cozumel” is derived from a Mayan word “Cuzamil Peten”, which means “The Island of Swallows”.
Being the largest Caribbean island, which is approximately 10 miles wide and 30 miles long, Cozumel is a dreamy place in the middle of the sea. It showcases pretty white beaches, mesmerizing coral reefs, Mayan vestiges, seashore engulfed mangrove forests, mountains, and other historical attractions. After getting to know about all these facts about Cozumel, are you feeling like visiting the place? But for planning your vacation at the destination, you need to know Where is Cozumel Mexico exactly located. It is situated 12 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and opposite to the Playa Del Carmen.
From exploring wildlife and marine beauty to participating in water sports activities, Cozumel has everything to offer for each individual of each age. Also, those who are fond of history must fall in love with this place.
So, here we provide a Cozumel Mexico scuba diving guide discussing all the essential things that you need to know before visiting Cozumel for your next vacation.
Table of Contents
What’s so Special about Scuba Diving in Cozumel?
When it comes to the best scuba diving destinations all over the world, Cozumel deserves a special mention. Scuba diving in Cozumel can be a dream for many scuba lovers. Imagine, diving through the crystal-clear blue water that is a home of 500+ marine species. This rich biosphere provides the divers with a glance of a school of colorful tropical fishes, bottom feeder fishes of salty water, corals, turtles, nurse sharks, dolphins, and whales while scuba diving.
The depth and clarity of the seawater help to dive through the mesmerizing marine world, and it offers clear visibility of the colorful surroundings. Sometimes, the coral heads can create an obstacle while scuba diving. However, the serenity and feel of scuba diving cannot consider this as an obstacle. Varieties of small fishes, lobsters, and many other not so famous marine creatures play around the nooks and corners of these coral heads and aqua plants.
Besides, the scuba diving facility is even available at night time, which adds on to the thrills of your adventure. It’s also a bonus for those who prefer to get less tanned and want to enjoy scuba diving after sunset. However, be extra careful about the scuba diving dangers at night. It is always better to accompany a professional guide or trainer along yourself while opting for night scuba diving.
The nightlife underwater can be equally mesmerizing and charming in Cozumel. You can get a chance to see a bunch of curious squids floating around with you. Seahorses can also be spotted out during the dusk time in the sea.
Best Places for Scuba Diving in Cozumel
The island of Cozumel is perfect for beginners to try their hands in scuba diving and snorkeling, as the pristine clear water of this place helps them learn these activities at ease. The geographical location of this island plays a pivotal role in a seamless scuba diving experience.
Here come the best places for scuba diving in Cozumel Island:
Paso Del Cedral
Beginners who are trying to start scuba diving in Cozumel, they can dive through the Paso Del Cedral area. This beautiful scuba diving route in the Cozumel area is full of various colorful flora, orchids, and fauna. The aquatic plants and vibrant corals make a unique color combination contrasting with the clear blue water. Fishes and other marine animals greet you when you are traversing through this popular diving route of the Cozumel Island. This beautiful route is ideal for scuba diving photographers because of the ethereal beauty that it beholds.
Punta Sur
Are you a fan of the underwater hilly areas and caves, or wish to dive through a bumpy area? Punta Sur diving site is one of the best ways for you to start your scuba diving venture in the Cozumel area. This underwater cave is indeed a very difficult place to get into. Those who are having an adrenaline rush, diving through this Punta Sur cave can be an excellent experience for them. The unique topography and geographical location of this place add a special thrill to your scuba diving time.
Columbia
One of the picturesque scuba diving sites in the Cozumel area is Columbia. The colorful corals present in the Caribbean Sea of the Columbia scuba diving area are something that is surely going to attract the scuba divers. Barracudas, bottom feeder fishes like mollies, sea turtles – all these marine creatures can be your companion while scuba diving in Cozumel. The Shallow Reef of Columbia is well accessible for everyone, and you may even get help from the professional guides during scuba diving in the area.
Santa Rosa Wall
The Santa Rosa Wall of the Cozumel area of Mexico is one of the most prominent destinations for the scuba divers. The combination of bright corals and presence of aquatic animals like turtles, seahorses, lobsters, and innumerable colorful aquatic insects are going to give your eyes a treat while scuba diving on this site.
Best Time to Visit Cozumel
You must be keen to know What is the Weather in Cozumel Mexico throughout the year. Being seashore, the climate of the Cozumel coastal area mostly remains hot. However, depending on the humidity, the temperature varies, and accordingly, the weather gets changed. The ideal time to visit Cozumel Island is anytime other than June-August. These three months correspond to the most humid time of this place.
From March to June, the daytime temperature remains 90°F, and the temperatures at nights remain around 70°F. The winter remains cooler than the other months of the year, having a temperature of about 60°F to 80°F. The late summers mark the monsoon.
Besides knowing the temperature, be sure of the hurricanes. The island noticed hurricanes often during the humid months of the year. Know properly When is Hurricane Season in Mexico. The hurricane season usually lasts from the beginning of June till the last of November. The risks are greater between August and October. The previous hurricanes devastated the Yucatan Peninsula, the Pacific Coast, and the Gulf Coast.
Nevertheless, the best time to visit Cozumel Island is the so-called winter-time, from October-February. The diving destination does not have cold weather even during the winter season; hence scuba diving in Cozumel can be done at any time of the year, depending upon your holidays.
Best Resorts to Book Scuba Diving at Cozumel
Are you thinking of how to find out the best resorts while planning to go for a scuba dive in the Cozumel Island of Mexico? Fret not, here we have provided some of the best scuba diving resorts of Cozumel with whom you can book your next vacation:
- Melia Cozumel Golf All Inclusive
- Hotel Cozumel & Resort
- Casa Del Mar Cozumel
- Iberostar Cozumel
- Sunscape Sabor
- 2Tank Dive Hostel Cozumel
- Hotel Barracuda
- Flamingo
- Safari Inn
- Occidental Cozumel
Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are many other deep-sea diving clubs in Cozumel that will help you in getting the best scuba diving experience. However, all of these resorts provide highly skilled scuba diving experts certified by PADI, who are well cautious about your safety and security. These professional guides will initially check all your protective gears and ensure scuba diving safety, and only after that, they will let you dive into the water.
What to do in Cozumel Mexico Apart from Scuba Diving?
Apart from being famous for scuba diving, the economy of Cozumel Island is entirely dependent on tourism. So now, let’s have a glance at other exciting activities that one can indulge into, for having the most fun at the Cozumel Island:
Splendid Sea Trekking in the Seashore of Cozumel
The largest Caribbean Island of Mexico, Cozumel, will introduce you to some unique water sports. Sea trekking is one of those rare aqua sports, which you can try here. This unique way of trying out trekking activity in the middle of the Caribbean Sea is something to cherish forever. So, never miss out opting for this marvelous sea trekking experience.
Go for Atlantis Submarine Trip
Scuba diving in Cozumel is very popular and too mainstream. So, those who want to try something new and adventurous must go for this submarine trip while visiting Cozumel. The 3-day and 2-night trip begin from Cozumel Island, and it takes you as deep down as 105 feet underwater. Through the glass windows of the submarine, you can have a close look at the marine animals like sharks, fishes, stingrays, turtles, lobsters, dolphins, and various fishes.
This trip seems to be costly, right? But, do not worry; the budget travelers and tour operators in Cozumel have arranged different plans for all kinds of travelers to avail this submarine trip. Just get in touch with them for the best plan tailored for you.
Paddle Boarding in Cozumel Island
Paddleboarding is also an excellent idea to spend your day in a different way here. Whether you are a beginner in the world of paddleboarding or a seasoned paddle boarder, the paddleboarding adventures in the Cozumel coastal area is going to steal your heart. The crystal-clear blue water is enough to wow a tourist.
Super-easy introductory sessions made for the first-timers make paddleboarding quite an easy task for all. Mr. Sancho’s Cozumel Beach Club is one of the perfect places to try paddleboarding at an affordable price. So, those who are planning to try something new other than scuba diving must try this water sport activity at Cozumel. But before opting for the sport, beginners must know what size paddleboard to get for themselves based on their height and weight.
Mountain Climbing in AI Mirador
Those who are well aware of the presence of a place like Cozumel in Mexico, they must have heard about hilly terrain while traveling around the seashore. EL Mirador is a popular hill area situated close to the coastal region of Cozumel. Travelers can easily rent a car, private taxi, or any four-wheeler to reach their destination.
The mountain is great for rock climbing. The top of the hill offers you with a surreal natural beauty of the island and its locality. Avoid the hustle and bustle of the prominent tourist spots of Cozumel Island and spend a day at this place for relaxation. Besides the Cozumel Mexico scuba diving, this mountain climbing activity is going to add on to your adventures.
Traveling through San Gervasio Ruins
If you are keen enough to travel through the history of this beautiful island, then a trip to the San Gervasio Ruins will undoubtedly be an exciting one for you. By paying only $9.50, you can roam around this place that takes you to the historical days when the Mayan women used to visit this shrine to pay tribute to the goddess of love, fertility, and Ixchel. This Mayan ruin area also houses sufficient restrooms, snack bars, souvenir stores that are going to help you for a comfortable trip.
Visiting the Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park
The beautiful scenic beauty of the Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park will make you fall in love with this place. The coastal cenote has all things in its store like relaxing on the beach, having a friendly bond with dolphins and other sea animals, experiencing zip lining, and many more. Visitors can also get access to a tequila factory and garden located nearby, which is a paradise of enjoyment and relaxation. Also, you can enjoy Mexican cenote diving here.
Experiencing the Mini-Mexico at the Mexico Park
Located in the south of San Miguel, this park is a miniature version of the country as it has the replicas of all the famous Cozumel attractions like the Metropolitan Cathedral of Mexico City, the Mayan Ruins of Tulum, and insights of the Mexican culture. Also, it depicts the famous chocolate factory and allows you to enjoy the fun of tasting tequila. With all sorts of arrangements of enjoyment and recreation, this place is one of the central attractions of Cozumel Island that is too good to miss.
Cozumel Chef Food Tour to relinquish your Taste Buds
For all the foodies out there, here comes the most exciting part of a trip for you! Did you know that Cozumel is famous for Local Mexican cuisine and drinks? Whether you are a vegetarian or non-vegetarian, when it comes to satisfying your taste buds, the appeal of good recipes is too hard to resist. The chef food tour of Cozumel is one of the most attractive things a newbie in the place can try. Local Mexican food can genuinely make you feel like revisiting the island again and again.
How to Get to Cozumel?
One of the major attractions of the Caribbean Sea, Cozumel is an island with lots of tourists visiting the spot from all over the world. The famous place is a bit far from Mexico City. So, how far is Cozumel from Mexico City? Well, it will take a long drive of about 1,800 kilometers and take about 22 hours of driving. But, driving a car for that long is not at all easy and can be health deceiving. Moreover, you need to take care of the parking too.
Below there are some alternative means of transportation, by which you can travel to Cozumel more efficiently and easily.
By Flight:
Traveling by flight has always been the easiest means of traveling. There are about 9-airports in the Southeast region of Mexico. But, one of the busiest airports is the Cozumel International Airport, which handles about 7-lakhs passengers every year. It is the best area where you can land by flight. Take a convincing flight according to your schedule plans from the Mexico City Airport to Cozumel. It will take not more than 3.5 hours. Do not forget to choose a connecting flight for a faster journey.
By Sea:
If you want to enjoy a ferry ride or cruise ride, then you can choose the waterways to travel from Mexico City to Cozumel. But, to ride the ferry, you need to reach Playa del Carmen or Calca from Mexico City. From there you can book a ferry for the journey. It will just take a short time of 40-50 minutes to reach the spot.
By Road:
Traveling by road will undoubtedly be tiresome. Bus journeys can make you frustrated too. But still, if you want to explore the roads, you can drive or hire a bus or shuttle to the closest to Carmen. From there, go through the waters. But, if you want to travel via car, then stuff yourself with lots of food and water, as the journey is going to be a long one.
Conclusion
The beauty and thrill of the Cozumel Island of Mexico make it one of the most visited tourist places in the world. Scuba diving in Cozumel and other water sports activities here is, of course, an attraction of this place. However, even if you are not an adventurous kind of person, you can visit this place for its picturesque beauty or to spend a relaxing vacation – Cozumel offers every type of entertainment to cherish your holidays.
