Cozumel - Scuba Divers Paradise

Cozumel Mexico is one of the great dive spots in the world and only 6 hours from Seattle.  I have vacationed in the Yucatan a few times, primarily Cancun, but had never taken the ferry from Playa Del Carmen across the bay to Cozumel Island, an east 40 minute trip.  Cozumel is just off the east coast of the Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and is Mexico's largest island,  around 300 square miles, but the town with less than 100,000 residents may receive as many as fourmillion visitors each year.  Unlike Cancun, Cozumel is not a touristy location. 
In recent years some tourist shops have sprung up to feed the hunger of the cruise ship guests, but two blocks from the town center and you're in avery quaint and a wonderful old world area.

The beach is the main attraction in Cozumel. The clear warm waters of the Caribbean are perfect for a wide range of aquatic activities from swimming, to snorkeling, to sport fishing, and finally to diving. Cozumel is also home to the second largest coral reef in the world which attracts divers from all over the world, and with amazing beautiful blue rich water with 100
feet of visibility on an average day anyone will cherish diving in Cozumel.

Most of the dive sites are rocky teeming with plenty of rich, beautiful Coral.  Large and small sea fans are present everywhere and the area is home to more than 200 species of tropical fish representing every color in the rainbow.  It's simply bursting alive with huge schools of fish; Turtles, large Surgeonfish, Barracuda, Blue and Gold Snapper, Triggerfish, Moorish Idols, bright blue butterflies, and huge Parrotfish.  I was also fortunate enough to get a shot of
a Dolphin passing by on my first visit, but that is very rare.  I have captured shots of morays; Green, Jewel and Stripped Morays.

A very appealing time to dive for me in Cozumel is twilight.  Many of the nocturnal creatures begin to hunt and present themselves for great photographic splendor.  I have taken many night shots of small to large octopus, lobster and varieties of crab.

Snorkeling is a popular activity and small underwater scooters are available for rent to
help you cover the miles of reef which make Cozumel famous. There are also numerous opportunities to swim with dolphins, manatees or sea lions.

The ungles of Cozumel can be a fun way to spend a day also.  Whether guided tour by jeep or a rugged ATV on our own, there is much to see in the Jade Caverns.  You will encounter dramatic waterfalls and ool lagoons for swimming as well as ruins from the Mayan civilization.

Cozumel s a great spot to charter a fishing boat too. The waters around the island are
an excellent spot to catch Sailfish and Blue Marlin. If fishing is not for you, there are glass bottom boats and submarines that will take you out to let you see the beauty of the area.

When I am in Cozumel I will only dive with Aldora Divers.   This dive charter company
not only has the reputation of being the most professional and the most knowledgeable, but they also provide steel 120 tanks on each dive, much larger than a typical dive company.   Everyone from Memo Aldora himself to Steve who manages the Villa, to the Dive Master's like Javier, Raul and Liang who will take you to the best places to dive.  Palencar Reef is the main attraction on the south west side of the island.  But most other dive companies
will only dive a few of the more shallow areas repeatedly.  Aldora DM's are so familiar with the reef; they know where to dive, even if it's a few hundred feet north or south.  They want you to explore the less traveled, but more interesting areas.   I cannot say enough about the Aldora, they are simply the best dive company providing wonderful professional service in a
beautiful place to dive.

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