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Chankanaab Reef
Chankanaab
Reef is located exactly offshore from the Chankanaab National Park, but
the reef, by the same name, is not part of the park. Even though this reef
reaches the shore at the Park, the main and most beautiful part of the
Chankanaab Reef may only be reached by boat.
You
can get to Chankanaab Reef from the downtown pier. It is approximately 25
min. by boat. This reef, with long coral formations, has a typical depth
range of 30 to 45 feet. Parallel to this coral formation, but in deeper
water, there is an area of the reef known as Bolones of Chankanaab these
are big, ball like, coral heads growing in a depth of 50 to 70 feet.
The
current conditions in this area are commonly light. This is a good place
to dive for novice divers. This reef is frequently dived as the second
dive of the day. Photographers find this place very attractive because the
shallow waters provide excellent lighting conditions and long bottom
times. The many fish that live here are accustomed to the presence of
divers and usually are very cooperative if you want them to pose in your
picture.
The
fauna of this reef is made up principally of Spotted Drums, White Turtles,
Toadfish, Moray Eels, Parrotfish, Eaglerays, Nurse Sharks, and Barracudas.
The last ones are more commonly found at Chankanaab Reef than in any other
reefs around Cozumel. On flora, really large Gorgonians look like small
trees when their polyps are expanded. Big tubular sponges are also a
common sight in this reef.
Colombia
Reef
You
will find this dive location beyond Palancar and before Punta Sur. It
normally takes from 45 minutes to 1 hour to get there by boat from the
downtown pier.
The
typical depth range is 60 feet (the minimum) to unlimited (over the wall).
The currents in this reef are normally strong (perfect for a drift dive),
so this diving location is recommended for experienced divers to advanced
certification.
Its
main configuration are spectacular drop-offs, caves, and giant coral
mountains, all of them covered with an incredible amount of Gorgonias and
huge colorful sponges. Also, the many colorful fish and sea turtles are
part of the typical view.
Another area of Colombia, worthy of mention, are the Colombia Shallows
where the current conditions are light and perfect for novice expertise or
beginners. These shallows are located exactly inshore of Colombia Reef
with a depth range of 20 to 40 feet, and as well as in the reef area,
there are a variety of beautiful corals and fish to look at over the
shallows.
Palancar
Reef
Famous
around the world, Palancar Reef is so popular because of the large and
fascinating coral formations found there. Palancar Reef may only be
reached by boat.
It takes about 30 minutes to get there from the downtown pier on a fast
boat.
Palancar
Reef has a typical depth range of 40 feet (the minimum) to an unlimited
depth (the wall). The current conditions in Palancar Reef vary from
moderate to strong. This reef is recommended for intermediate to advanced
divers.
There
are many diving areas in Palancar Reef. Among them is La
Herradura and The Horseshoe, which is very popular for its spectacular
caves, walls, and gentle currents. Another popular part of this reef are
Palancar Gardens, a very shallow area of the reef full of lively terraces
where you may find huge gardens of sponges and Gorgonians along the tops
of the coral.
The
Palancar Reef is so huge that you will need several months diving daily to
get to know all of the reef, and so spectacular that you will never get
bored.
Because of the strong current conditions normally found at Palancar
(except in the Horseshoe area), driftdiving is normally used. You should
always be aware of your depth and bottom time. Always stay with your group
and guides while diving.
Paraíso Reef
Paraiso
Reef is commonly reached by boat. It is in front of the Caleta Harbor.
Divers usually divide this reef in two: Paraiso North and Paraiso South.
Paraiso
North has a typical depth range of 40 to 50 feet. Currents are usually
light or moderate, but occasionally they change to strong. Paraiso North
is for divers with a intermediate level of expertise and above. At Paraiso
South, the depth range is usually between 35 to 45 feet. Here the currents
are moderate. The expertise required to dive this reef is novice to
intermediate level.
In
both, Paraiso North and South, there is a huge variety of marine life. You
can find, for example, the Splendid Toadfish, an endemic specie of Cozumel,
Stonefish, Eaglerays, Octopus, Crabs, Lobsters, different types of
Parrotfish, Black Groupers, and White and Bluestriped Grunts. The reef is
located in a flat bottom with a variety of shallow coral formations like
the Green Cactus Coral, Ivory Tube and Ivory Bush corals, Elliptical and
Blushing Star Corals, Scroll Coral, and Flower Coral among others. It is
just as varied as it sounds! For this reason, it is a favorite spot for
photographers.
Paraiso
Reef is an excellent place for beginners. Here they can get more
experience in drift diving techniques. Also, since it is a fairly shallow
spot and is very close to most of the hotels, Paraiso Reef is one of the
favorites for night diving.
Punta Sur Reef
At
the southern end of the island is one of the deepest dives sites
frequented by dive operators. Punta Sur Reef will show you the incredible
beauty of a dropoff wall and some spectacular caverns. You can reach Punta
Sur Reef from downtown in one to one and a half hours by boat.
The
shallow part of this reef is 60 ft. The most spectacular part of this reef
is located between 80 ft. and 120 ft. Because of its depth and the
currents that normally prevail in the area, this dive is reserved for
experienced to advanced divers. Good buoyancy control and never loosing
sight of your buddy are important for diving this reef.
The
typical reef at Punta Sur is formed by huge coral buildings that have
their basements at depths of more than 130 ft., that's beyond the
recreational diving depth limits. All these coral buildings have an
incredible amount of caverns that penetrate them in all directions. This
is the reef of the famous caverns of The Cathedral and The Devil Throat.
At the
edge of this dropoff, you will find coral building formations, between
them deep sandy spots give you the feeling of flying when you are diving
across them from one coral formation to the next.
In this
dive location you may see large marine life, such as Nurse Sharks, White
Tip Sharks, and Hammer Head Sharks during the winter season. Sea Turtles
and big Spotted Eagle Rays are often seen in Punta Sur Reef. Diving Punta
Sur Reef will leave you unforgettable memories.
San Francisco Reef
This
reef is located exactly offshore from San Francisco Beach. You can reach
San Francisco Reef only by boat and it takes about 20 minutes to get there
from the downtown pier.
This
reef has a typical depth range of 20 to 60 feet unless you dive close to
the wall that has an unlimited depth. The current conditions in this reef
vary from moderate to strong, so the expertise recommended is intermediate
or advanced diver.
You
may make a very enjoyable drift dive on San Francisco Reef's wall. This is
because the edge of the drop off here is shallower than other walls around
Cozumel, so it allows extra time diving on the bottom.
At
this reef you may have friendly encounters with nurse sharks, stingrays,
sea turtles, crabs, lobsters, and big schools of yellow grunts. You are
more likely to see Stingrays during the winter season. The nocturnal fish,
such as lobsters and crabs, hide in the crevices and are easy to see
during the day.
In the
area of flora, you will be able to see at this reef a variety of different
anemones from Cozumel. One of the most well known at this reef is the
Tentacle-Faced Anemone.
Santa Rosa Reef
Santa
Rosa Wall is the most famous vertical drop off in Cozumel. The clear blue
water in this reef guarantees an unforgettable dive. It takes
approximately 35 to 50 minutes to get to this reef by boat from the down
town pier.
This
reef has a depth range of a minimum50 feet to unlimited depth over the
wall. It is primarily recommended for experienced or advanced divers
because most of the time there are strong currents around the area,
although they change in times to moderate. Drift diving in this case is
always the choice.
The
typical marine life that you can find in this reef are: Spotted Eagle
Rays, Nurse Sharks, Black Groupers, Spiny Lobsters, Spotted Drumfish,
Splendid Toadfish and a complete variety of colorful tropical fish.
The
coral formations in this area are usually interspersed in such a way that
it looks like they were fighting for the same spot with their rare shapes
and colorful beauty, sometimes even forming caves or tunnels which are
almost the main characteristic of Santa Rosa reef. Some examples of these
formations are: giant plate corals (Porites), sea fans, and sponges among
others.
Tormentos Reef
Tormentos
Reef is located just south of Chankanaab Reef. The reef is about 25 min.
to 35 min. from downtown by boat. Its depth goes from 35 ft. to 70 ft. The
intensity of the currents is normally between medium to strong, so diving
in this reef is recommended for experienced divers.
The
white sands that surrounds the reef along its both sides, reflect the
light enhancing the color of the corals making this reef very appealing to
the view. It is also one of the best reefs for underwater photography.
Diving
along this reef you will experience one of the best effortless drift dives
that you may have in Cozumel.
The
crevices and backside of the corals allow you to hide from the current and
stop drifting without fighting against the current. This way you may stop
to observe the abundant micro-marine life with complete detail.
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