Cozumel Tours & Activities

More than 50 dive shops operate on the island offering advanced dives and beginner instruction. Much of the diving is "drift diving." The island also has a couple of hyperbaric chambers for safety.

For more information, please check with ANOAAT (Cozumel WaterSports Association) which is a diver's association concerned with the safety of visitors and the preservation of the natural resources such as the reefs. The support the National Marine Park "Arrecifes de Cozumel". There is a small fee ($2) charged to users of the park which in turn protects the area. They also have created three (3) Oxygen Support Stations along the National Park in Cozumel. These station locations are:

• Diamond Resort/Palancar Divers ... VHF CH. 04
• Playa Corona ................................. VHF CH. 06
• Hotel Presidente/Scuba Du ............ VHF CH. 80

Some of the popular sites in the area include Paraiso Reef, Chankaab Caves and Reef, Columbia Reef, San Francisco Reef, Santa Rosa Wall, Maracaibo Reef, and Plancar Reef (part of the second longest reef in the world).

Snorkeling
Many of Cozumel's best spots are within splashing distance from shore. Equipment rentals are available throughout the island. The western side of the island is dotted with dozens of excellent sites. Here are a few suggestions:

Chankanaab Bay: teeming with fish and calm, clear water; several lime stone caves and tunnels make for great fun. You can also swim with dolphin's at a marine park here.

La Ceiba Bay: a sunken aircraft wreck lies 150 yards off shore in about 25 feet of water, home to a plethora of colorful fish, colorful fish, coral, and sponges.

Playa San Francisco: calm water and close-to-shore undersea delights. This beach has full-service amenities (dining, equipment rentals).

Full day snorkeling and half day snorkeling excursions can be easily arranged upon arrival, and often include equipment and lunch. For non-snorkelers there are glass-bottom boat trips are arranged at most resort hotels.

Sportfishing
The area's exceptional diving overshadows the island's excellent fishing. Billfish, including marlin and sailfish, are caught within .5 km. of shore (season: March through June). Dorado, bonita, barracuda, amberjack and wahoo are caught year around.

Most excursions leave from the Club Abrigo Nautico de Cozumel, located north of town near the airport. A popular billfish tournament comes to the island every May.

Water Sports
Windsurfing, sailing , jetskiing and waterskiing are also popular on the island's western shore. Nearly all resorts have water sports rentals. Playa San Francisco offers the widest range of watersports equipment.

Excursions
Beyond the island's waterside activities, there's plenty to see and do away from the shore. Since only about 5% of Cozumel's terrritory has any development, exploration centers on natural attractions (beaches, lagoons, jungle-like forests), Mayan ruins, and the relaxed city of San Miguel.

The island's Mayan ruins and beaches can be seen easily in a day. There are also some "must-see" attractions on the main-land across from Cozumel. Some other land-based activities on the island include minature golf, tennis, scooter & mountain bike rentals, and exploring the Cozumel's fine museum.

Chankanaab Bay: This popular full-service beach invites divers and snorkelers to explore the area's limestone shoreline caves. This is the island's prime snorkeling turf; excellent facilities for swimmers and non-swimmers, include Chankanaab Lagoon and Botanical Gardens. Head to La Laguna restaurant for lunch.

Eastern Shore
Playa Chen Rio: Resting at the end of the trans-island road, this beach is protected by a wall of rocks, keeping the water calm. One of the Eastern shores best beaches. Very quiet and secluded.