Diving in Cozumel

While divers of all experience levels will enjoy the diving at Cozumel, drift and wall dives are by far the main attraction, making it a top destination for advanced divers. Knowing how to handle a stiff current and minding your depth are essential skills for diving some of Cozumel’s sites. These walls are a playground of diverse features such as caves, swim-through tunnels, caverns, and columns.

Despite this focus on wall dives, Cozumel has plenty of shallow reefs whose abundant marine life can be explored by the novice or rusty diver.

Since Cozumel is such a popular dive destination, there are countless dive shops and dive resorts on the island. Dive shops offer courses, gear rentals, daily and sometimes twice-daily boat dive trips, and in some cases, night dive trips. Dive resorts usually run twice-daily, two-tank boat dives, unlimited shore dives, and night dives, in addition to accommodations, food, and beverages. Liveaboards are not commonly found in this area, since all the dive sites are so close to the island and are easily accessible either from shore or via short boat ride.

The best Months to dive in Cozumel

Cozumel has great scuba diving year-round. Air temperatures stay at an average of 27°C/80°F, and average water temperatures can range from 24°C/75°F in the winter to 29°C/85°F in the summer months. Visibility is also great during all seasons, with an average of 33 meters/108.3 feet. Because Cozumel is warm year-round and the majority of its tourists are from the eastern United States (it is only a short flight away), Cozumel is busiest during the wintertime (December to April). These months are also the best for bull shark sightings. To avoid the crowds, and if you prefer warmer water, you should target the May through November window. Keep in mind, however, that this overlaps with hurricane season; hurricanes have cut short or cancelled many a trip to this region!