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The following map gives you an idea of the many different skill levels of diving that there are in Cozumel. One great thing about diving in Cozumel is that all of the reefs are close to shore and you don't need to be out on the boat all day long to get in a couple of dives. Several days I went out at 6:00 AM and was back by 10:30-11:00 for lunch leaving my afternoon open to go see the sites.

My best dive here was a drift dive at Maracaibo Deep where I did a solo decompression drift dive. The dive lasted about 40 min. and my maximum depth was 195 ft. I stayed there for 8 min. and slowly started my accent. The visibility on this day was 150 ft.+ and the sun was shinning bright. The current was fast and it felt just like flying. The wall here was absolutely beautiful.

My second favorite dive was Punta Sur doing devils throat that is explained below.

Warning: My skill level is expert and I have well over 1000 dives under my belt. To complete the dive at Maracaibo Deep I used redundant air supplies (30 cu ft pony bottle with 2 regulators) . I also used 2 different decompression dive computers and navy decompression tables as a backup. Do not attempt this dive until you are sure of your skill level!

Tips: Usually the scuba dive master allows the scuba divers to choose and agree on the reef to visit depending on the levels of scuba divers. When picking a group to dive with, try to dive with divers around the same level to get the most out of your dive.

Paradise Reef
Depth: 20 to 50 feet
Skill level: Novice
This is a popular spot for snorklers as well as night dives and second-tank shallow dives. There are many shallow patch reefs, large brain coral, sea fans and sponges. Also a good chance of finding Cozumel's Splendid Toadfish.

Balones of Chankanaab
Depth: 60 to 70 feet
Skill level: Novice
A series of balloon - shaped coral heads. Colorful, abundant marine life, lobster and crab.

Chankanaab Caves
Depth: 35 feet max
Skill level: Novice
This is an interesting dive 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.

Tormentos Reef
Depth: 50 to 70 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Some of the fastest currents can be found here. Many large coral pinnacles covered with brain and whip corals. Eels, angelfish, groupers, grunts and snapper are common as well as smaller reef fish.

Yucab Reef
Depth: 45 to 60 feet
Skill level: Novice
Excellent 2nd dive. Dense reef full of color and marine life including lobster, eels and crab.

Punta Tunich
Depth: 50 to 130 feet
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced
Often swift current. From a sand bottom at 70 feet, a long ridge of coral rises from the sand dunes between 40 to 60 feet. Big grouper and playful green morray eels.

San Francisco Reef
Depth: 35 to 50 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
One of the shallowest wall dives. Very rich with marine life. Excellent 2nd dive.

Santa Maria Reef
Depth: 40 to 60 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Many large schools of angelfish.

Santa Rosa Wall
Depth: 40 to 130 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Popular deep dive. Drift dive over huge coral heads that rise up from the deep blue. Impressive overhangs and colorful sponges. At the northern end are a series of swim through tunnels that the divemaster will lead you through. Keep your eye open towards the deep channel where you may spot eagle rays and turtles.

Paso de Cedral
Depth: 35 to 60 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Popular spot for feeding the locals! Massive black groupers will follow you once you enter the water. Do not feed the fish though. Let the divemasters feed the eels and groupers here as they have more experience. Spectacular cavern, tunnel and swim through diving.

Cedral Wall
Depth: 50 to 90 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Usually strong current present. Fairly flat but full of color and marine life.

Little Caves
Depth: 50 to 70 feet
Skill level: Novice
This is an interesting dive with many colorful canyons, deep ravines and crevices.

Palancar Horseshoe
Depth: 25 to 125 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Towers of brain, star and sheet coral heads protrude within 20 feet of the surface. Excellent dive spot.

Palancar Gardens
Depth: 40 to 70 feet
Skill level: Novice
This is a great 2nd dive after diving Palancar Caves. Beautiful dive with plenty of color and many nice caverns.

Palancar Caves
Depth: 60 to 90 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
Excellent tunnels and caves to swim through. Abundant marine life. Very popular deep dive

Columbia Wall
Depth: 60 to 90 feet
Skill level: Intermediate
One of my favorite dives. Not as many divers come here due to the distance. Huge coral pinnacles and a very impressive drop off. You can often see large marine life such as eagle rays, turtles and large barracuda.

Columbia Shallow
Depth: 35 feet max
Skill level: Novice
This is one of the best shallow dives on the island in my opinion. huge variety of marine life and many coral heads. Usually 2nd dive only for those divers who have just finished the first dive at either Columbia Wall or Punta Sur due to the location.

Punta Sur
Depth: 90 to 130 feet
Skill level: Advanced
This is diving for the experienced at it's best. Home to the famous "Devil's Throat" which starts at the opening of a dark narrow tunnel at 90 feet and takes you out into a sunlite opening at 130 feet on the wall. Eagle rays and sharks are occasionally spotted here. Other spots include the cathedral, which is a large cave opening with giant sponges that form a cross in the ceiling of the cave where light passes through.

Maracaibo Deep
Depth: 90 to 140 feet
Skill level: Expert
This is the southernmost reef on the island and is very exposed to current and topside surf. Wall starts at 90 feet and is covered with large orange elephant ear sponges, black coral and sheet coral. Sharks, rays and loggerhead turtles swim through the channel.

Barracuda Reef
Depth: 80 to 100 feet
Skill level: Expert
Barracuda lies on the north side of the island. This dive site is rarely visited due to rough conditions, even in good weather. The current runs 2 to 3 knots and downcurrents are not uncommon. For the truly adventurous diver, it is a rewarding challenge though and you can often site large schools of fish, turtles, and even hammerhead sharks have been sighted here in the past.