R E E F S

Cozumel's National Park has some of the most spectacular reefs in the world. Steep walls and giant coral towers take your breath away. The great bio diversity, warm water and average visibility of 90ft. makes it one of the ideal places to dive, snorkel or learn to dive. The water temperatures range from a low 78F in the winter to a high 83F in the summer, making it an all-year-round diving place.
These are some of the main reefs, diving level(s), predominant currents and caracteristics. Take note that this information has been provided from personal experience and by no means is scientific in nature, which reminds me to bow before all of our world scientists!

NOTES:

The currents are predominant currents and if not noted otherwise are from north to south, but these can change. Currents can change from mild to very strong or vice versa, or east to west or west to east, or downward or upward.

When I mention depths on the wall these represent depths at which there are interesting things to see. You can go deeper on these walls, but then, do you want to prove you can go deep just for going deep?
Unless otherwise specified all descents are normal: roll back or giant stride entry and group gradual descent.

PLEASE STAY CLOSE TO YOUR DIVE MASTER OR INSTRUCTOR AND FOLLOW ALL OF HER/HIS DIRECTIONS. IF UNDERWATER CONDITIONS CHANGE THESE PROFESSIONALS HAVE EXPERIENCE AND WILL TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION FOR THE BENEFIT AND SAFETY OF ALL DIVERS.

Frank Gabilondo-Boulet / PADI OWSI-99719

MARACAIBO

CURRENT: Medium to Strong.
DIVER LEVEL: Strictly Advanced.
DEPTH: 100-200 ft.
FORMATION TYPE: Wall.
DESCENT: Quick drop to the bottom.
A MUST: dive computer, good air consumption.

Some people like this dive because you may get a chance to see "big" animals (sharks), which is not always the case (sharks are not in any dive shop´s payroll...), and because they like to go deep. At about 180ft. the wall starts to turn inwards toward the island so you may be diving "under the island", some divers like this sensation.
Not too many coral formations, big sponges and some fish.

PERSONAL OPINION: I'll go, once, just to check it out...

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PUNTA SUR

CURRENT: Mild to Strong.
DIVER LEVEL: Advanced.
DEPTH: 90-130 ft.
FORMATION TYPE: Wall with large coral formations and some caverns.
DESCENT: Quick drop to the bottom.
A MUST: dive computer, good air consumption and dive flashlight.

This is as good as it gets! The mayor attraction on this dive are the group of caverns where one of them is called Devil´s Throat. If you dive this section of Punta Sur you will probably expend most of your time inside the caverns. The contrast of the blue water when comming through a cavern that exits on the wall is quite an experience. The Cathedral is just south of the main attraction, which is just as beautiful. Actually, some of the best diving I've done here was when I descended somewhere else but on Devil´s Throat. Anywhere you dive here is just spectacular.

PERSONAL OPINION: The ultimate diving experience, but early in the morning, like 7 AM, before everybody else gets there!
MY FAVORITE DEPTH: 90-110 ft.

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COLOMBIA

CURRENT: Mild to Strong.
DIVER LEVEL: Beginner to Advanced.
DEPTH: 25 to 120 ft.
FORMATION TYPE: On the wall side big formations with some dive-throughs, on the shallow section flat bottom with a long section of coral
A MUST: Dive computer, good air consumption when diving on the wall section.

Colombia has 3 different sections to dive: 1)Wall with huge formations(60 - 120 ft); 2)Middle section(50 ft) between the wall and the shallow, and 3)the shallow section(25 ft) which is about 80 yds. from the middle section toward the island(this is recommended for all levels of diving).
All 3 sections are parallel to each other. Most of the turtles and eagle rays I've seen have been here. Colombia´s sections are long and makes it ideal to repeat the dive without feeling that you have been there before, but then, who wouldn´t want to stay down there?

PERSONAL OPINION: Fantastic dive. If the conditions are rough you can always go towards the shallow section(50 or 25 ft).
MY FAVORITE DEPTH: 50-90 ft.

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PALANCAR CAVES

CURRENT: Mild to Strong.
DIVER LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced.
DEPTH: 50 to 100 ft.
FORMATION TYPE: Lots of dive-throughs next to the wall.
A MUST: A dive computer if you're diving the wall.

This is one of my favorite spots when I have a mixed group of intermediate and experienced divers. I know both will enjoy it because you can take quick peeks on the wall and then swim back towards a protected area where intermediate divers feel more comfortable. It is a good site to introduce intermediate divers to walls and dive-throughs.

PERSONAL OPINION: Fun dive with magnificent formations.
MY FAVORITE DEPTH: 50-70 ft.

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PALANCAR HORSESHOE

CURRENT: Mild to Strong.
DIVER LEVEL:Beginner to Advanced.
DEPTH: 20 to 120 ft.
FORMATION TYPE: Congested formations from 100 to 20 ft.
A MUST: A dive computer if you're diving the wall.

This place is the continuation of Palancar Caves, there are not a lot of dive-throughs since the coral gets more congested - as in a large city... If you're a beginner you can dive at the top of the reef at about 20 ft. Between 70 and 60 ft - here you swim doing zig zigzag around the coral formations. You can go deeper to about 120 ft and then look toward the reef, it is an impressive site, especially if there is another group diving close to the reef and here you can see how tiny they look against the reef. PERSONAL OPINION: Always a nice dive with towering formations.
MY FAVORITE DEPTH: 60-70 ft.

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PALANCAR GARDENS

CURRENT: Mild to Medium.
DIVER LEVEL:Beginner to Advanced.
DEPTH: 20 to 90 ft.
FORMATION TYPE: Congested coral with small dive-throughs.
My favorite to make beginner divers very happy. It has small dive-throughs, a sloped terrain towards the wall(makes it safe). Relaxed and fun. MY FAVORITE DEPTH: 60-70 ft.

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LA FRANCESA

CURRENT: Mild to Strong.
DIVER LEVEL:Beginner to Advanced.
DEPTH: 30 to 60 ft.
FORMATION TYPE: Congested formations from 70 to 20 ft.
A MUST: A dive computer if you're diving the wall.

This reef starts at about 30 ft. on the sandy area and then has a 30 ft. high structure which starts at about 60 ft. that contains little caverns (just to look inside). Relaxed dive. Plenty of giant crabs (if you can spot them...).

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CEDAR PASS

CURRENT: Medium to Strong.
DIVER LEVEL: Intermediate to Advanced.
DEPTH: 50 to 90 ft.
FORMATION TYPE: On the shallow section some areas of concentrated coral some scattered. On the wall section lots of sponges.
In this place you are lost without a good guide, they know exactly where to go and where are the green or spotted eels, but specially they got to know the place quite well in order not to go for a sand tour. I have seen some of the biggest groupers here - like dogs following you around. If you are a beginner and do not mind a strong current give it a try, just stay close to your buddy or dive master.
The wall which is about 60 yards from the shallow section has neat things to see. Sometimes you find the groupers, I guess hiding from the divers on the shallow, since this is a very popular spot. Often you will see barracudas close to the end of the dive. The depths worth while on the wall range from 80 to 60 ft.
PERSONAL OPINION: A have-to shallow dive.

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