Palancar deep
This deeply incised wall is an absolute delight. There are so many varied combinations of coral growth that even when repeating the same dive (as may often happen on a dive vacation), you are never bored. Gorgonian sea fans adorn the top of the reef and there is constant competition for space between the corals, sponges and algae. All are brightly colored and appear to have their own associated fish, crustaceans or invertebrates. Look out for a number of cleaning stations along this reef. Several different species host these locations, such as juvenile Spanish hogfish on the reef top, the cleaning goby among the coral head and the Pederson's cleaning shrimp among the tentacles of various species of anemone in the recesses.
by boat
deep, strong currents sometimes
20
30
Yes
No
Yes
Palancar Garden
Cozumel This is a great 2nd dive after diving Palancar Caves. Beautiful dive with plenty of color and many nice caverns. PALANCAR GARDENS is a beautiful dive with lots of color and relatively shallow at 40 to 70 feet There are large caverns with crabs and lobsters within. ( Novice ) Palancar (Gardens) - scattered coral and sponges on sand bottom. Abundant marine life includes grouper, sea turtles and rays. Depth: 30 feet , and then slopes into the abyss. Absolutely magnificent dive, gentle currents, lush plant & marine life and you never run out of reef. Perfect for beginners. (best at 40-70')
by boat from cozumel harbour 40 min.
good conditions
15
25
Yes
No
Yes
Santa Rosa Wall
This site can easily be split into three separate dives. Its profile becomes larger and more convoluted the further North you travel. As in any exposed area, the Southernmost section is low-lying and scoured by currents. The middle section has some very large tunnels which completely cut through the reef crest, and the most northerly section has tunnels, caves, overhangs and under-hangs and some sections of wall becoming so steep they are near-vertical. On the steeper slopes there are numerous rope sponges. File clams can be seen in the recesses, their orange or white tentacles waving in the current. Many species of hermit crab can be found and there appear to be thousands of tiny gobies and blennies flitting in bursts over the corals and sponges. Barracuda and large specimens of the back grouper which shelter under the overhangs above the reef crest, can always be observed here. Stoplight parrot fish seem to blend into the multi-coloured reef. Only when you use an underwater torch does true beauty of the reef reveal itself. One of the most distinctive of the small reef fish is the fairy basslet. The front half of its body is a brilliant violet-to-purple and its rear is a deep yellow/gold. These fish are instantly recognizable, but very hard to photograph because of their constant motion
by boat
strong to intermediate currents
20
30
Yes
No
Yes
Cedra Wall
Cozumel Usually a very swift current that allows you to fly along the wall so expect a good ride. Enjoy the view as you glide over the flat wall top gazing at both coral marine life and large critters passing by at depth over the wall. Lots of big barrel sponges formed sideways by prevailing currents.
acces with boat, drift away with the currents.
strong currents
9
27
Yes
No
Yes
Paso del Cedral
Paso del Cedral reef is one of those dives you’ll not soon forget. Great for a second dive, this 60' reef has some very unique characteristics. Bring your camera because you’ll see lots of grunts, snappers and porkfish. If you look closely, you’ll probably also find lobster, scorpionfish and crabs. There’s also a very large green moray that is quite friendly.
The best camera set-up for this reef would be a standard 35mm lens or wide angle. Macro is always good too, especially if you’re using a camera that allows you to switch back to a standard lens for all the bigger shots.
You don’t want to miss a shot of this spectacular site. Don’t be surprised to get up close and personal with the groupers.
Currents are generally moderate to strong. This is considered to be a novice to intermediate level dive
by boat
good conditions
20
25
Yes
No
Yes
Villa Blanca Wall
Experience level. Intermediate. You can go as deep as you want and make this an advanced dive. it is usually done as a second dive after Barracuda or Eagle Ray Wall. Villa Blanca is just across from the Villa Blanca Hotel. The dive is usually done between thecruise ship peers, Puerta Maya Cruise Ship Pier to the south and the pier in town to the north. This dive can be dangerous. If the current picks up or shifts, you can be taken under the cruise ships. These ships draw water from the sea for their cooling system, so you don't want to go under them, or you could be sucked in. Besides that, it is illegal to dive under a cruise ship for security reasons. If you dive from a boat with an experienced divemaster, you should be fine. You can rent tanks at a few shops on Rafael Melgar suchs as Aqua Mar, and do this as a shallow shore dive. Although we know people who dive out to the drop off from shore, this is not recommended. There is a small reef prior to the drop off at about 40. It has nice juvenile fish, and some coral outcrops. If you are diving from a boat, you will check the current. The current usually runs north. Then you will drop near the southern cruise ship dock, and drift north, finishing before you get to the main dock in town. There are Scrawled Filefish, spotted moray eels, honeycomb Trunkfish, and some white spot trigger fish, as well as a few Turtles. On any reef in Cozumel you can see any fish or animal at a given time. Below is a general guide.
by boat and wet suite
Villa Blanca gets a lot of current, so the reef is low profile. The sponges and coral here are in really good shape. You will see lots of basket sponges, and barrel sponges, with black gorgonian throughout.
25
36
Yes
No
Yes
La Franscesca
Experience level. Novice - Intermediate. Usually done as a second dive. Current is usually moderate. Consists of small reef heads jutting out of a large sandy area.
Follow the reef ridges which parallel the shore. Stay left to follow the main section of the reef.
You will see permit cruising above the reef. There are Turtles here and there, along with Black Grouper. Keep an eye out for Cozumel Splendid Toadfish in the holes along the reef. You will also find lobster and crab hiding out.
There are a few schools of grunts and Porkfish, though not as many as other reefs.
Over the sand portions, look for Southern Stingrays, blennies, urchins and others.
by boat
intermediate
20
30
Yes
No
Yes
Punta Tunich
Cozumel Rock and roll in this swift current on a daily basis and just go along for the drift. From a sand bottom at 70 feet, a long ridge of coral rises from the sand dunes between 40 to 60 feet. Often turtles hide in the seagrass. Photo buffs will really work on this dive. Good option is to leave the camera on the boat and just enjoy the ride! access with boat
access with boat
stingrays,nurse sharks, turtles, good conditions.
9
39
Yes
No
Yes
Punta Sur
Experience level. Advanced. Current is sometimes unpredictable.
There are two main parts of Punta Sur. The Punta Sur reef to the south consists of nice swim throughs and a spectacular chamber called the Cathedral. The northern part of Punta Sur contains the infamous Devil's throat. Due to the depth of the dive and the distance travelled, you will usually do one or the other, but not both. However, if you do the Cathedral section of the reef, you will usually dive by the Devil's throat section on the way to Colombia.
The Cathedral section is spectacular. There are large swim throughs at about 110'. The Cathedral is further north from the start of the swim throughs. David, with Aldora, likes the Cathedral the best of all.
Currents can be strong when you are out over the wall. Due to the depth of the dive, the strong currents, and the long swim throughs, this dive should only be done by experienced divers.
I personally witnessed a diver that went to take photos of the cobia above, at the beginning of the dive, stayed a minute too long, and swam hard to catch up with the group. He had to find the group after going through the first swim through, then had to swim up current to the next swim through. This diver became bent at about 50' on the way up. The dive master kept him calm, and got him to the surface in a controlled manner. He was given oxygen, rushed to the chamber, and survived. However, he had to stay a week, and all travel plans had to be changed.
As for Devil's throat, it is a constricted swim through that starts at about 90' depth. There are a few ways to go. One way takes you steadily down and you come out on the wall at 130'. Another way takes you to 115'. Most dive companies will have you come up as you exit the tunnel, and then do an ascending dive over the rest of Punta Sur into Colombia. Some divemasters may take you through the tunnels a few times exploring different passages. The scariest part of Devil's throat is where the tunnel narrows to about 5' wide and drops about 15' down before it opens up again.
There have a been a pair of juvenile reef sharks spotted here in Dec. of 2010. You will usually see some turtles here, but the fish and animals are not as numerous as other areas.
We need more photos of this area. Please feel free to submit some in our galleries.
by boat
strong currents, advanced, and experienced divers
25
35
Yes
No
Yes
Columbia gardens
no info
no info
no info
15
30
Yes
No
Yes
San Francisco wall
Experience level. Intermediate. This dive is usually done as a second dive.
San Francisco generally has a medium current, which encourages healthy reef and sponge growth. It is a wall dive. The wall edge starts at about 50' and is really a steep slope, but not a drop off, to the depths. You can go as deep as you want. There are healthy barrel sponges and low profile coral. There are not many ledges or overhangs. However, the sloping wall of pristine sponges, ea rods, and brain coral make this an exciting place to see.
On the top edge of the wall towards shore are sandy bottom areas and a few small overhangs to hide out from the current. You can sometimes sea eagle rays in the sand or cruising the edge of the wall.
Be on the lookout for Whitespotted Filefish, Turtles, giant Parrotfish, French Angelfish, and Black Groupers.
by boat
intermediate
20
30
Yes
No
Yes
Dhalila
no info
no info
no info
10
18
Yes
No
Yes
Santoria Wall
no info
no info
no info
20
34
Yes
No
No
Palancar bricks
he Palancar Bricks Experience:
Located just off the southwest coast of Cozumel are the Palancar Bricks which is named after a large amount of bricks that were carried by a ship which wrecked in this part of the ocean. You can still see the bricks lining the floor of the area to this day, hence the name.
The first thing you will notice is the dramatic coral formations which line the area, some as large as city buildings which are awe inspiring, especially when you consider just how long it took these coral formations to be built.
Within these formations are all types of marine life that start with the many tropical fish with dot the areas above the coral to the larger sharks which huddle in the crevices at the base or bottom of the formations. You will also see pelagic fish in the more open areas while smaller fish can be found near the enclosed or coral formations.
Just viewing these massive formations from the top will offer a unique view of the Palancar Bricks as if you were flying over a cityscape or small mountain range. Swimming between the formations will provide a closer look and more interaction with the marine life. The species you may find are Turtles, Southern Stingrays, Green Moray Eel, Bar Jacks, Groupers, Nurse Shark, Spanish Hogfish...
with boat
quite good
20
30
Yes
No
Yes
Palancar caves
test
test
test
25
40
Yes
No
Yes
Tormentos
Geat dive site
by boat from cozumel harbour
quite rough
30
40
Yes
No
Yes