In Cozumel, there's so much marine life it's endless. It has over 16 abundant diving reefs and is known as the best dive spot in the Caribbean. You can see so many varieties of fish, from tiny to huge, colorful to camouflage…the list goes on and on! In the Caribbean, only in Cozumel, Mexico will you find such a tremendous combination of mammoth caves, tunnels, overhangs, pinnacles, and sheer dropoffs. This unique topography, along with superb marine life, makes this destination a must for diving enthusiasts. The island offers a wide range of accommodations, delicious yet inexpensive meals, topside activities, colorful night life and stimulating cultural opportunities. Cozumel is still the Caribbean's best dollar value and now has resorts within a short 5 minute boat ride to the famed Palancar dropoffs

Diving Highlights: Cozumel has often been coined the best diving in the Caribbean, with its clear waters, exceptional drift diving, and wide variety of reef and marine life. It offers a little bit of everything, both underwater and above.

Weather: July and August are the hottest months, with temperatures climbing into the 90s, while December and January bring the lowest temperature drops in the mid 70s.

Average Air Temp: Day: 80° F Night: 72° F

Water Temp: 77° - 82° F

One could fill volumes with superlatives written about this perennial diver’s favorite. Cozumel’s mighty drop-offs of Palancar, Punta Sur, and Columbia reefs feature over eight miles of spectacular walls, tunnels, caves, pinnacles, and immense overhangs of coral perched on the white sand shoulder of an awesome 3,000 foot drop-off festooned with dazzling sea-whips, crinoids, gorgonians, fans and sponges of intense hues that pale the rainbow. On the numerous shallow reefs, the assortment of marine fauna is as varied and striking as you might ever hope to encounter. Schools of Grouper, Jack, Snapper, Grunt, Yellowtail, and Tang cover the reefs. Angels, Damselfish, Barracuda and Parrotfish are equally abundant. You won’t have to look very hard to spot many species of Eel and Ray winding and gliding amidst the coral. Over 27 miles long and 9 miles wide, Cozumel of Ah-Cuzamil-Piten (it’s ancient Mayan name, meaning Land of the Swallows) is Mexico’s largest island. Lying in emerald water 12 nautical miles off the rugged coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Miami is about 600 miles to the Northeast. Through the "Yucatan Strait" passes the current which later becomes the Gulf Stream. It is this current, bathing the reef system with life-giving nutrients, which makes them so prolific, healthy, and a breeding ground for all types and sizes of marine life. The island’s limestone base absorbs most rainfall rapidly, permitting very little run-off, accounting for the legendary visibility. Average visibility is 120-160 feet and 200 plus is not unusual.

No matter where you stay, you will certainly be making daily or nightly trips into the town of San Miguel, the center of all activity.

Hundreds of stores and shops offer everything from bargain-priced gold and silver to tropical fashions, leather goods and hand-crafted native art. Restaurants of all types and price ranges abound to satisfy any appetite and pocketbook. The nightlife in San Miguel is as varied as the nightlife on the reefs. Other topside nocturnal activities can take you to quiet cantinas, lively Mexican fiestas, or thundering New York-style discotheques.

Of course, the best diving is at Cozumel. Once you have experienced all Cozumel has to offer, we are sure that you will want to return to dive here year after year!

Diving and Snorkeling
The foremost feature on Cozumel is the incredible scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities. Maybe that’s why there are over 125 dive operators on the island. If you go there and do not take advantage of this you are really cheating yourself. The constant south to north current makes Cozumel the drift diving capital of the world. Water temperature is fairly consistent year-round, ranging from a low 7šF in winter to a high 84F during mid-summer. Visibility on a very bad day is about 70 feet-plus. Average visibility is from 120-160 feet and, on a really good day, it has been known to exceed 250 feet. Drift diving is so enjoyable and relaxing that once you try it you may never want to do any other type of diving again. Jump off the boat, complete your dive with the current with minimal effort, then surface to find your dive boat waiting to pick you up. The ever-present current replenishes the food source for life on the wall and reefs to provide divers with incredible visibility and beauty year round. Yes, there are many dive operators and thus many divers, but this northern tip of the second longest barrier reef in the world remains healthy and vibrant for all to enjoy.

Around the Island
Should you have the time to invest we highly recommend that you rent a motor- scooter or jeep and drive around the island. The eastern side is vastly different from that on the more developed west side. Windswept white sand beaches are mostly uninhabited and provide inviting venues for a quick snorkel or swim. Small restaurants and cafes dot the eastern coastline and provide uncrowded vistas to enjoy your favorite beverage and snack. Weather on the east coast is a bit rougher so use good judgement when entering the water. The tourist police are pretty good about keeping an eye out for your parked rental vehicle, but to be on the safe side, don’t plan on taking your valuables on the trip. Plan on spending at least four hours to see the east side.

Shopping
If you happen to find yourself in Cozumel during the week you’ll no doubt notice several cruise ships in the harbor unloading multitudes of "cruisers" for a day of shopping. If you can tear yourself away from diving for a few hours, a trip into San Miguel town is a must. This is no budding marketplace. Cozumel has everything from inexpensive t-shirt shops to extravagant fine jewelry stores, and everything in between. There are a number of excellent buys on the island, most notably silver products, ceramics and Mexican made clothing and linens. Quality and price vary so this is the time to put those bargaining skills to work.