Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park

The Basics

With both shallow coral gardens and deep drop-offs, Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park is an ideal spot for snorkelers and divers of all experience levels. The area is best explored on a snorkeling or diving tour from the island’s downtown marina. Most excursions visit popular sites such as Columbia Reef, Palancar Reef, and El Cielo Marine Park, and sometimes include pickup and drop-off from select waterfront hotels.

Things to Know Before You Go

• This reef system is a must-see attraction for nature and wildlife lovers.

• Remember to bring sun protection and water. It’s also a good idea to wear a wetsuit or rash guard to protect your skin from rough coral and jellyfish.

• Evidence of scuba diving certification is required for certified dives.

• Be careful not to touch or disturb the wildlife.

• To maximize your chances of seeing wildlife, minimize your movement and let the fish come to you.

How to Get There

Cozumel Reefs National Marine park is located off the southern coast of Cozumel, near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. You can get there by guided tour or private charter boat—although the reefs may be hard to locate on your own.

When to Get There

You can visit Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park year-round, but it’s busiest from December through April, when the weather tends to be sunny and warm. There are fewer crowds during hurricane season (May through October), but be sure to check the weather for storms.

Cozumel’s Coral Reefs

Cozumel’s coral reefs are some of the largest in the world. Paradise Reef and Palancar Gardens are ideal spots for novice divers and snorkelers due to their shallow depth, and offer a chance to glimpse sea turtles, colorful fish, towering coral spires, and gently waving sea fans. The Palancar Caves are probably the most famous dive site, with huge brain corals and swim-through tunnels. Palancar Horseshoe, a natural underwater amphitheater made entirely of coral, is another must-see.

Ways to explore

As it's part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the world’s second-largest coral reef after Australia’s Barrier Reef, this is an ideal spot for snorkelers and divers of all experience levels, thanks to both shallow coral gardens and deep drop-offs. The area is best explored on a snorkeling or diving tour from the island’s downtown marina. Most excursions visit popular sites such as Colombia Reef, Palancar Reef, and El Cielo Marine Park, and sometimes include pickup and drop-off from select waterfront hotels.

Accessibility

While some boats can accommodate wheelchairs, most tours involve swimming in the water.

Age limits

Many swimming and snorkel tours have a minimum age of 8 years old.

What to pack

Evidence of scuba diving certification is required for certified dives, so be sure to bring either physical or digital proof. Pack water and reef-safe sunscreen as well.

What to wear

Sun protection and reef-safe sunscreen, wetsuit or rash guard to protect your skin from rough coral and jellyfish

Not allowed

Touching wildlife, sunscreen with chemicals that harm the reefs

Amenities

There’s nothing in terms of facilities on the reef itself; many boats have restrooms, though it’s not guaranteed.

Address 

Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park is located off the southern coast of Cozumel island, part of Mexico’s Yucatan region. You can get there by guided tour or private charter boat—though the reefs may be hard to locate on your own.

Driving

On the island, you’ll mainly drive along the southern coastal road—the reef park runs along this stretch from Punta Chiqueros up to Presidente Hotel.

Public transportation

While you can take public buses from San Miguel de Cozumel, they aren’t typically geared toward tourists. The most convenient way to visit the reef is to join a tour.

Best times to visit

Try to reach the reef in the morning, as this is when the sea tends to be calmest, and visibility is better.

Best days to visit

There tend to be more boat tours on the weekends, so visit during the week for fewer crowds.

Best months to visit

The water temperatures in Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park range from 78°F to 86°F (25°C–30°C), so it’s a year-round diving destination.

Special events

The island is at its most colorful and celebratory during the Cozumel Carnival in February.