Experience The Unforgettable With Cozumel Diving

By Edwina Heuser


If you're looking for sun, sea and beautiful tropical beaches, you can't go wrong with the Yucatan peninsula. Along with the feel of a Caribbean holiday, you can add a touch of Mexico by sipping margaritas while feeling the white beach sand underneath your toes. However, one of the most memorable things you can do in this part of the world is to go on a Cozumel diving trip.

Cozumel is an island off the Yucatan coast. It's the largest of Mexico's islands, measuring approximately 10 miles in width and 30 miles in length. It's a popular destination, easily accessible from Cancun, 36 miles to the north on the mainland.

The weather here is perfect, with tropical sunshine, ocean breezes and the odd afternoon shower to cool things off. The island caters for cruise-ship tourists as well as for the backpacker crowd, so you have many accommodation options. There are plenty of restaurants and beach bars where you can enjoy fresh seafood and, this being Mexico, tequila.

While on a Cozumel vacation, you will find that there is plenty to do on the island. If you can motivate yourself to get up out of your hammock, you may want to see the Mayan ruins, hike around, visit Chankanaab National Park or go on a boat trip. Since Jacques Cousteau sang the praises of the coral reefs just offshore, this piece of paradise has also become a popular destination for scuba divers from around the world.

It is easy to dive in the Caribbean waters around the beautiful island. Visibility is excellent and you can often see up to as much as 100 feet. Strong currents will carry you, so drift diving is the most popular method. The water is a nice and comfortable temperature, but many divers recommend that you wear a light wetsuit.

What makes it so spectacular to dive in Cozumel's waters is that the coral reefs offer a habitat to an abundance of marine life. The Colombia and Palancar reef systems are home to many different species of colorful fish, seahorses and rays. You may even spot some critically endangered sea turtles during nesting season, when the females come to the beaches to lay their eggs.

There is a host of Cozumel diving operators, mostly concentrated in the town of San Miguel on the western side of the island. They offer dive packages for divers with varying skill levels. Remember to choose a reputable operator that is also environmentally responsible, since the reef ecosystems are very fragile. Ask around or check online for recommendations. Then simply remember to make sure your camera works under water.




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