This jewel of a tropical island rests in the shimmering turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Just east of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, the lush jungle life fills the island’s interior while sugary beaches, sunshine and gently swaying palm trees line the coast. It’s paradise! Cozumel is an easy trip from the United States and offers some of the best diving in the world. One of the many reasons Cozumel is a bucket list location for divers is the incredible drift diving.

Cozumel is located in the state of Quintana Roo by the Caribbean Sea, about 10 miles off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It is directly across the water from Playa del Carmen and about an hour and a half from the Cancun airport.

The island is about 29 miles from northeast to southwest and averages 9 miles in width. Cozumel is the largest of Mexico’s inhabited islands. San Miguel is the only main town. The majority of the island is undeveloped.

One of the many reasons Cozumel is a bucket list location for divers is the incredible drift diving. Drift diving is fun, and it adds to the magic of Cozumel. Relax and ride the current, taking in the beauty and majesty of the reef and all its vibrant inhabitants. 

As the second-largest barrier reef in the world, the Mesoamerican reef offers a massive variety of coral that creates a maze of swim-throughs and walls. Not only is Cozumel known for its beautiful reef, but it also has an abundance of marine life. There are over 500 species of fish in the area so get your camera ready! 

You might see:

Marlin

Splendid toadfish

Gray angelfish

Porkfish

Moray eels

Nurse sharks

Hawksbill turtles

Recommended Specialty Courses

Boat diving

Deep diving

Perfect buoyancy

Night & limited visibility

Waves, tides & currents