La Palomita

★★★★★ (127)

Great dive site for novice divers, photographers, and night dives. Max depth 9-12m/30-40ft; current varies from slow to moderate so even though it’s close to shore, shore diving is not recommended.

Marine life nursery with many juvenile fish species. Popular hang out for golden, spotted, and chain moray eels, various puffer fish, schools of grunts, rays, and a lot of marco life.

Dive Activity

Potential Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
26 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
4
A
0
M
3
J
2
J
6
A
0
S
2
O
2
N
2
D
3

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
13 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
5
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan

Eagle Ray
10 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
5
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
9 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
3
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
8 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
4
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
6 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1
iStock-ShaneGross

Loggerhead Turtle
3 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Alamy/BIOSPHOTO

Ocean Sunfish
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock/HakBak1979

Bull Shark
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
0
iStock-crisod

Reef Manta Ray
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
27 Sightings
J
4
F
2
M
2
A
1
M
4
J
1
J
6
A
0
S
2
O
2
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
24 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
2
A
1
M
2
J
1
J
6
A
0
S
2
O
1
N
3
D
2

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
21 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
3
J
1
J
5
A
0
S
2
O
4
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
20 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
3
J
2
J
5
A
1
S
2
O
1
N
2
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
18 Sightings
J
2
F
2
M
1
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
2
O
2
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
18 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
4
J
0
J
6
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Spiny Lobster
15 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
1
J
4
A
1
S
2
O
1
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
14 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
3
J
3
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
13 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
5
A
0
S
2
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
12 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
3
A
0
S
1
O
2
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
12 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
11 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
2
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
11 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
3
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
11 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
11 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
2
J
1
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
10 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs

Porcupinefish
9 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
9 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
3
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

Shutterstock_DiveIvanov

Squid
9 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
3
M
0
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
8 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
3
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
7 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
1
A
1
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
7 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j

Sand Eel
6 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
6 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 2

AdobeStock-hakbak

Nurse Shark
5 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 130

iStock-Christian von Mach

Pipefish
5 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 300

iStock-deraugenzeuge

Snake Eel
5 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 30

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Stonefish
5 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
3
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
4 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.

Flounder
4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 80

iStock-bearacreative

Emperor
4 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock-_italo

Moon Jellyfish
4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
3 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder

Garfish
3 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock_cherylvb

Garibaldi Damselfish
3 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 55

k

Lobster
3 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1
Alamy-Water Frame

Panther Moray Eel (Dragon Eel)
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
3 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 250

Alamy-Nature Photographers Ltd

Skate Fish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
1
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 2

iStock-stock_colors

Tarpon
2 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species: 3

k

Cornetfish
2 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

Trippy DIvers

Calle Jose Maria Morelos 510 (entre 25y30), 77600 San Miguel de Cozumel, QR - Mexico

Be Diving, Bedivingmxmx

Calle 1 Sur Entre 25 y 30, 77710 Playa del Carmen, QR - Mexico

Humarine

Avenida 65 940, 77620 San Miguel de Cozumel, QR - Mexico

Dive Balam

The royal haciendas mz 70 lt 2, 77710 Solidaridad , Quintana Roo, QR - Mexico

Dive Galaxsea Cozumel

Fonatur Marina, 77660 Cozumel, QR - Mexico

Bluedream Cozumel

Carr. a San Juan KM 4 Zona Hotelera Azul, 77600 San Miguel de Cozumel, QR - Mexico

Dive Sites Nearby

Scuba XOC Dive Center, 77675 Cozumel

Maracaibo Reef (★4.4)

Maracaibo Reef is the Southernmost dive site on Cozumel’s Eastern shore. It is a deep drop-off with a large arch, one of Cozumel’s famous underwater landmarks.
Scuba XOC Dive Center, 77675 Cozumel

Chunchacah (★4.6)

In the shallower area adjacent to Maracaibo, this long stretch is populated with large coral heads and abundant fan corals. The depth is a constant 70 ft/21m through the entire site, with currents often unpredicatble. This is one of the southernmost dive sites in Cozumel and often the second dive after Maracaibo.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel

Punta Sur - Devil’s Throat (★4.6)

Sites in Punta Sur are for advanced level divers due formidable prevailing currents and the typical depths of these sites. Devil’s Throat is a famous passage located on the southernmost end, with an entry point at around 90 feet deep and winds down to 140 feet through a lengthy, narrow downward cavern.
Mares

Colombia Reef (★4.5)

Colombia Reef is well known for its shallow, colorful reef and deeper drop-off. The current is moderate and this site is usually done as a drift dive. There are lots of fun swim-throughs and overhangs to explore.
Mares

Colombia Deep (★4.6)

Columbia Deep is renowned for its dramatic underwater topography, featuring towering coral pinnacles, expansive sand chutes, and intricate swim-throughs. The reef begins around 50 feet and plunges into the abyss, offering a sense of vastness and exploration
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel

Palancar Bricks (★4.6)

The southernmost section of the famous Palancar Reef, Palancar Bricks is suitable for divers of all experience levels due to multiple swim throughs are various depths, multi-level diving, and macro photography.
Scuba XOC Dive Center, 77675 Cozumel

Colombia Shallows (★4.5)

With a max depth of 25 feet, this is the perfect site for beginner training, new divers, update classes, or divers looking for an abundance of marine life and long bottom times. Endless photography opportunities for experts & novice UW photographers is also a plus!
Scuba XOC Dive Center, 77675 Cozumel

Palancar Horseshoe (★4.5)

Horseshoe is one of the four awesome sections that make up the famous Palancar Reef in Cozumel, Mexico. This section of the reef is a horseshoe-shaped notch in the wall of Palancar full of beautiful and large coral heads and giant barrel sponges.
Scubapro

Palancar Gardens (★4.6)

One of the most popular dive sites on the island of Cozumel, Palancar Gardens starts over a shallow reef at 33 feet and then drops off as a mini wall to over 130 feet. There are many fun caverns and swim-throughs to explore. The reef is very healthy, the vis is spectacular, and marine life is abundant.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel

Punta Dalila (★4.5)

This is one of the more popular shallow diving sites in Cozumel and is a popular second dive among dive charters. With the reef sitting in about 40-60 feet of water this is a great site for snorkeling and beginning divers. This is a great spot to see nurse sharks and turtles.
Aqualung

Palancar Caves (★4.7)

Palancar Caves is usually done as a multi-level drift dive, starting out fairly deep, usually hitting the recreational limit, to explore the deeper reef which is full of underwater tunnels and caves to swim through. Then you’ll make your way up the reef to the more shallow area to end your dive.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel

Punta Francesa (★4.5)

At the North end of Punta Dalila, a similar shelf reef continues South towards Punta Francesa. A dive profile of 55 ft max depth with a 1-hour bottom time is typical.
Mares

Cedral Wall (★4.5)

The dive starts at around 13 meters (45 feet) and can reach depths up to 27 meters (90 feet). Divers can explore both the reef and the wall, with the latter featuring steep drops and rich coral gardens.
Aqualung

Cedar Pass (★4.5)

Paseo del Cedral is a favorite Cozumel site among photographers due to the landscape that is covered in tight little coves and crevices for schools of fish to hide. This is a shallow dive with a max depth of 60 feet and great for beginning divers.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel

Casa Blanca (★4.4)

Slightly south of the entry point for Cedral Wall, this site is frequently overlooked by local dive operators despite the opportunity for shark & turtle sightings.
Access Scuba, 84770 St. George

Santa Rosa Wall (★4.5)

The Santa Rosa Wall is one of the most famous wall dives in the world. This dive is for advanced divers as the wall drops away to hundreds of feet deep. it is easy to get pretty deep pretty fast so watch your gauges. This dive is also a drift dive but there are also lots of fun swim-throughs to explore as well.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Santa Rosa Shallows (★4.5)

Santa Rosa Shallows is the counterpart of the famous Santa Rosa Wall. The shallows are a great second dive after exploring the deeper wall. The reef here isn’t any deeper than 60 feet with a mild current; excellent for viewing the buzzing reef activity all along the patchy reef system.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel

Santa Rosa Wall (★4.6)

Almost exactly in front of the Occidental Cozumel hotel, this wall offers divers breath-taking views of the abyss under the steep pdrop off as well as many pass-throughs between the deep blue and the safety of a relatively shallow shelf. A few adjacent shallower coral balls offer a suitable spot for a safety stop.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel

San Francisco Wall (★4.4)

One of the most popular dives in Cozumel. You will find a steep dropoff, with potentially strong currents and frequent eagle ray sightings. The water is beautiful with 30m or better visibility. There are big barrel sponges all along the wall. This is a more advanced dive site.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel

San Clemente (★4.5)

San Clemente is a shallow barrier reef located 500 m (0.3 mi) from the shore at the Sunscape/Secrets resort. The dive site is only 30-40 ft deep in at spans a llenght of over 900 m (0.6 mi). With mild currents, this is a perfect dive site for the last dive of the day or a night dive.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel

Cardona (★4.6)

A shallow, colorful reef 200 meters from the shore just South of Punta Tunich, this colar site is a short easy dive, usually visited as the second or third dive of the dive. Also a great snorkeling site.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel

Punta Tunich (★4.5)

This dive site is often done as a second dive. The northern end of this reef is the most interesting, but it is best to approach it when there is a south-to-north current running.
Aqualung

Yucab Reef (★4.5)

Being a shallower reef, Yucab is a very popular second dive for many of the Cozumel dive charters. The reef is very colorful and healthy with lots of hard coral species and huge barrel sponges. There is usually a strong current here so this is always done as a drift dive.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel

Tormentos Reef (★4.5)

Punta Tormentos is a fringing reef which starts immediately after the end of Yucab. The ref is located 600 meters from a sandy cove at the shore in the south end of the w-shaped Punta Tormentos point. The dive is 650 meters (0.4 mi) long, and navigating 40 course after its end leads directly to the No-name reef.
Aqualung

Tormentos (★4.5)

Tormentos is a very popular second dive among Cozumel dive charters due to its shallow depth (averaging around 65 feet) and little to no current. The reef is very healthy and full of life; a photographer’s dream.