Scuba Diving Cozumel

Cozumel is known in the scuba diving industry as one of the best scuba diving locations in the world. Every dive is a scuba divers dream.

COZUMEL CORAL REEFS

Cozumel is part of the second largest barrier reef system in the world, the Meso-American reef system, which spans almost 175 miles (280 km) of ocean between the Gulf of Mexico and Honduras. Cozumel’s spectacular reef formations, effortless drift diving and exceptionally clear waters make this island one of the world’s most popular diving destinations.

In 1961, the famous oceanographer Jacques Yves Cousteau came to Cozumel with his crew on the Calypso to film a documentary. With the first airing of that film, Cozumel has consistently been on the top of many diving lists among diver’s destinations. Through the guided tour of Cozumel’s rich underwater topography, it is quite normal to see vast coral heads, brilliant sponges, hundreds of tropical fish, rich ecosystems and steep walls that sink into the abyss. Tunnels and caves twist through the reef, providing a rich environment for many species, including some not found anywhere else on earth.

WHERE IS COZUMEL?

The island is about 30 miles (48 km) north-south and 10 miles (16 km) east-west, and is the largest island of Mexico. It is about 12 miles (20 km) from the mainland, and some (36 miles (60 km) south of Cancún . Nearly everybody in Cozumel lives in the town of San Miguel (pop. est. 90,000 in 2003 ), which is on the western shore. The rest of the island is low, flat, and densely vegetated.

GETTING TO COZUMEL

Cozumel has an airport with daily flights in and out. When booking a flight, you can use the airport code CZM to search for flights. We have put together a page about the Cozumel Airport.

HISTORY OF COZUMEL, MEXICO

Pronounced Co-zu-mel (kō zu-mĕl), the first Maya settled in Cozumel over 2,000 years ago. The island derives its name from the Mayan words Cuzam (swallow) and Lumil (land of), which formed the word Cuzamil.

WHAT TO EXPECT IN COZUMEL

Language : English is widely spoken in Cozumel, but Spanish is the official language.
Climate: The climate in Cozumel is subtropical.