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Cozumel Marine Park |
| The Mexican government declared a National
Marine park on July 19, 1996. The park
covers an area of more than 11 thousand
hectares including the beaches and waters
between Paradise Reef and Chiqueros
point. The environmental, natural resource
and fishing Secretariat SEMARNAP, administers
the park.
 The
financing of the parks programs is shared
by the federal government and the civil
environmental groups; represented by
COPRENAT, and the dive operators through
ANOAAT.
Park Rules and
How to help Preserve the Park:
- Do your share
to preserve the flora and fauna
for future generations.
- Corals are fragile.
Do not touch.
- Kicking, touching,
dragging your gear causes damage,
buoyancy control is your key to
healthy coral.
- Photographers
in particular, take pictures without
causing damage.
- Marine organisms
are protected by law. This is a
no take zone.
- Fishing, feeding
the fauna and taking souvenirs is
against the law. Refrain from extracting
or annoying the marine flora and
fauna.
- Help us prevent
pollution.
- Report fuel,
oil, sewage and garbage spills to
the National Park office.
- Pressure your
dive operator to instruct novice
divers and divers without adequate
buoyancy control, and to refuse
service to destructive divers.
- If you use gloves,
do not grab the corals.
- If you carry
a knife, keep it in the sheath.
- Use biodegradable
sunblock products.
Marine Park Usage
Fees: Pesos $20 (~$US2) per day
per person.
NOTE: This
fee is not included in your trip.
You will be responsible for it upon
arrival.
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Barracuda & San
Juan Reefs |
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Depth: 70
- 110 feet
Skill level: Expert
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Located up on the
north end of the island, these reef areas can be
treacherous and are best dove safely by only small
groups of experienced, drift/current divers . Because
of the severity of conditions, the Port Captain
monitors and restricts tourist diving in this area
heavily. Rough conditions both topside and below
at reef levels are not conducive to recreational
divers on a regular basis. Even in good weather,
the current runs 2 to 3 knots and down-currents
are not uncommon. |
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Villa Blanca Wall |
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Depth: Shallow,
50 - 60 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
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Wall dives like this provide the
best of both worlds: the chance to skim along the
top of the wall and view both shallow water marine
life and to possibly glimpse a large pelagic gliding
by in the deeper waters along the wall. Not uncommon
to see spotted eagle rays in this area. |
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Paradise Reef |
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Depth: Shallow,
40 - 50 feet
Skill level: Novice
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 A series of three separate reefs
running parallel to shore approximately 200 yards
out. This is one of the few reef areas accessible
to beach divers. All three sections have abundant
marine life including octopi and the reclusive Splendid
Toad Fish which lives only in Cozumel waters. Most
popular spot for night dives. |
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Las Palmas Wall |
Depth: Best
at 50 - 70 feet
Skill level: Novice to Intermediate |
Relatively calm currents prevail
at this site popular for finding bat fish, seahorses,
and Splendid Toads. Superb night dive for those
comfortable with wall diving at night. |
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Balones of Chankanaab |
Depth: Shallow,
60 - 70 feet
Skill level: Novice |
A large series of balloon-shaped
coral heads teaming with all sorts of marine critters.
The limestone shoreline of this are is very porous
and often fresh water run off will diminish visibility
especially after heavy rains. Still worth
diving regularly due to abundance of crab and lobster.
Excellent night dive. |
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Chankanaab Caves |
Depth: 35 feet
max
Skill level: Novice |
An interesting dive found at
the south end of Chankanaab Park. Excellent beach
dive that can be reached either from Chankanaab
Park itself or by entering south of the park towards
Corona beach where there is no park entrance fee.
Cold fresh water flows out of limestone caves called
cenotes. Large Tarpan can be found swimming around
in the entrance to the caves. Stay in the ambient
light and do not venture far back. Interesting mixing
of cold fresh water on the top layer with the warm
salt water below. |
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Tormentos Reef |
Depth: Shallow,
60 - 70 feet
Skill level: Intermediate |
Some of the fastest currents can
be found here that often make for adventurous drift
diving. A series of colorful coral heads separated
by sand valleys and dunes pushed up by prevailing
currents. Sand formations between the coral ribbons
constantly change and provide a beautiful contrast
to the lush coral. Home to very friendly and
big green moray. Angelfish, groupers, grunts
and snapper are common. Good second dive. |
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Yucab Reef |
Depth: Shallow,
45 - 60 feet
Skill level: Novice |
Beautiful dense, low profile ribbon
of corals and sponges that is full of life and color.
Widest variety of reef fish can be found here in
large quantities daily. Grouper and barracuda
usually hang out with divers as they drift with
the current. |
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Virgin Wall |
Depth: 40 -
130+ feet
Skill level: Expert |
Strong currents typically prevent
local divemasters from bringing in large groups
of inexperienced divers. As a result, the
sheer vertical wall has been left pristine and lush.
Several dives are needed to fully absorb the site.
Excellent multilevel computer dive. |
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Punta Tunich |
Depth: 50 -
130+ feet
Skill level: Expert |
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! |
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San Francisco Reef |
Depth: Shallow,
35 - 50 feet
Skill level: Intermediate |
Begins on the Southern end of Old
San Francisco Beach. This half mile reef is broken
into three sections, separated by about 60 yards
of sand. This is one of the shallowest wall dives
and is loaded with life. Skim along between
35 and 50 feet and enjoy the big grouper and playful
green moray eels. |
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Santa Rosa Wall |
Depth: 50 -
130+ feet
Skill level: Intermediate |
One of Cozumel's most popular deep
dives simply because it never disappoints. The wall
starts at 50 feet and drops straight into the deep!
. Immense sponges, huge overhangs of stoney coral
and lots of caves and swim through tunnels. Eagle
rays and turtles are often spotted here as well
as large grouper and turtles. Excellent multilevel
computer dive. |
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Paso el Cedral (Oak Pass) |
Depth: Shallow,
35 - 60 feet
Skill level: Intermediate |
A series of ribbon reefs with
expansive low profile caverns interspersed and used
as swim throughs. Prior to enforcement of
Marine Park "no feed" regulations, this was THE
place to find green morays and spotted morays. There
are still plenty of eels in the area but are more
difficult to spot now unless accompanied by an experienced
guide. One swim through often filled with
glassy silver sides. Lots of snapper and grunts
for excellent photos. Perfect second dive. |
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Cedral Wall |
Depth: 50 -
90 feet
Skill level: Intermediate |
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. |
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Palancar Horseshoe |
Depth: 25 -
125 feet
Skill level: Intermediate |
A series of tightly packed giant
coral heads rise from 100 feet to within 20 feet
of the surface. A spectacular view for camera lenses
pointing up for profile type shots. One of
Cozumel's busiest deep dives since currents are
usually slow running and visibility stays around
200 feet minimum. |
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Palancar Gardens |
Depth: Shallow,
40 - 70 feet
Skill level: Novice |
An excellent first dive for those
not yet confident in their dive skills or perhaps
some one who's been a few years without diving.
These coral formations are very colorful and have
literally hundreds of species of coral jammed together
with purple and orange sponges interspersed.
Calm currents typically prevail allowing maximum
photo opportunities. Lots of crevices with
colorful reef fish and banded cleaner shrimp. |
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Palancar Caves |
Depth: 60 -
90 feet
Skill level: Intermediate |
Another of Cozumel's most popular
deep dives because of its deep buttresses, tunnels,
caves and big caverns that sit along the edge of
a sloping wall. Currents are usually mild and marine
life is abundant. Turtle, shark and eagle
ray sightings are very common. |
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Columbia Reef |
Depth: 60 -
90 feet
Skill level: Intermediate |
Impressive drop off at 60 to 80 feet.
Deep diving at its finest, at least as spectacular
as any part of the Palancar. A series of gigantic
coral pinnacles, most over 90 feet, marked with
caves, tunnels and caverns. Large marine life such
as eagle rays, turtles and large barracuda often
seen. |
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Columbia Shallow |
Depth: Shallow,
15 - 35 feet
Skill level: Novice |
To go any deeper one needs a shovel.
This is the perfect dive for photographers wanting
maximum bottom time. This seemingly never ending
sea garden is a popular second dive full of schooling
snapper and grunts. Barracuda lurk around divers
as they concentrate on the colorful reef fish that
populate the site. |
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Punta Sur ** Special Day Trip ** |
Depth: 90 -
130+ feet
Skill level: Advanced |
 An excellent multilevel dive for
experienced divers only. Due to its southern
location and exposure to prevailing tradewinds,
topside conditions can be rough. This coupled
with fast running midwater currents that can cause
one to miss the dive site entirely, makes this NOT
a dive for those who cannot descend relatively problem
free. This site has two distinct sections
and the air usage capability of the divers will
determine if you can see both in one dive.
The most famous section, "Devil's Throat," starts
inside a coral swim through. Divers descend
into the opening of a dark narrow tunnel at 90 feet
and takes you out into a sunlit opening at 130 feet
on the wall overlooking the abyss. Eagle rays and
sharks are occasionally spotted here. The other
section of this site "The Cathedral," is a large
cave opening with giant sponges that form a cross
in the ceiling of the cave where light passes through.
Very impressive photo if divers refrain from kicking
up the sand. |
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Maracaibo Reef ** Special Day Trip ** |
Depth: 90 -
160+ feet
Skill level: Expert |
This is one of the southernmost dive
sites on the island for recreational divers and
is very exposed to current and topside surf due
to it's location. Because this southern end of the
island drops off gradually, Maracaibo is really
a wall dive but a very deep one.
As a multilevel computer dive focused at best from
100 - 120 feet, it can be awesome. It can
also be a dud for those with excessive "expectations."
It is simply: a deep, wall dive with the top of
the wall beginning around 100 feet ... hence limited
bottom time unless multileveled. However,
due to its more remote location, it's not uncommon
to see schools of hammerheads or shoals of eagle
rays as divers drift in the midwaters high above
the ocean floor. This is not a dive for those needing
to be "up close and personal" with the wall.
Usually the midwater drift is where the action lies. |
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Wreck Dive - Xicotencatl |
Depth: 80 feet
max
Skill level: Novice to Intermediate |
The Felipe Xicotencatl, or C-53,
was built in Florida in 1944, donated to Mexico
by the US in 1962 & retired from service in 1999,
having variously served as a minesweeper, anti-drug
patrol boat, search and rescue ship, troop transport
& Mexican Naval Academy cadet training craft.
The Xicotencatl was sunk on June 6, 2000 just outside
of Balones de Chankanaab, on a sandy plain between
Tormentos & Chankanaab. As such, don't expect to
dive anything other than the wreck--the immediate
environs are strictly featureless sand flats. All
dive ops make regular trips. It could be done as
a shore dive from Chankanaab Park under the proper
conditions, hitting the Balones de Chankanaab on
the way out, but would be a very healthy swim with
scant to see in transit. No special certification
is needed for this dive, although it most definitely
is an overhead environment & the inexperienced diver
should understand what this means & be comfortable
with it.
Marked by a highly visible buoy, the vessel is 184
feet long & 33 feet wide, and consists of 4 decks.
The sinking job by the Mexican Navy & wreck experts
was quite remarkable in that it rests almost perfectly
upright & flat with the bow facing SSE & stern NNW.
According to my depth gauge, the superstructure
starts at 26', the main deck at 54' & the bottom,
which is secured to prevent movement in storms,
is at 78'. The craft is intact as sunk with the
exception of one rudder which is now about 25' to
the stern.
While the wreck is not especially
tight inside if you follow the marked route, it
is snug at points & of course buoyancy control throughout
is a must. There are large plates removed from the
sides at regular intervals, which usually provides
ample light & a ready escape route. Do be aware,
however, that the edges of removed areas are sharp
in spots, and there are opportunities to snag/impale
yourself on main deck & superstructure features,
so best not to go bolting about. Some hydroids &
small anemones are taking hold, another reason to
watch what you are contacting. The primary route
through the boat is marked with penetration line
& the occasional tag, and these are easy to follow.
There are possible side trips, but I'd suggest you
skip them unless wreck experienced. Do take a light
if possible.
A good approach is to drop in behind the stern &
take in the two massive screws, then raise to the
aft most hold & enter through the main deck. The
entry is a bit snug, so make sure you don't have
a case of the "danglies." Simply follow the line
to the fore, which later reverses and takes you
back to the aft for exit. There is no need to hurry
the dive, as any normal diver will have plenty of
bottom time for a leisurely tour of the innards,
which include holds & cabins, and exterior.
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