If there is one question we at ScubaTony get asked over and over it’s what are the best dive sites in Cozumel. Of course, this is a pretty subjective question, as it depends on what kind of things you like to see underwater. Plus on any given day the weather and sea conditions can make the Cozumel dive sites better or worse.

So although it’s a good idea to have knowledge of the dive sites in Cozumel Marine park so you can make a request to your captain and divemaster to visit it. It’s also good to keep in mind that the crew will be able to advise you on the best sites to go to that day depending on the conditions.

All of that aside, let’s pretend the conditions are perfect (which they oftern are in Cozumel), then these are my 10 best dive sites in Cozumel.

10. C-53 Shipwreck

The only shipwreck dive in Cozumel deserves to have a spot on the list as it offers divers a little variety when diving in Cozumel. It’s fun dive and was sunk in the marine park for the purposes of diving. Large holes have been cut out for easy penetration.

Depth: 30′-60’
Difficulty Level: On a good day this is an easy wreck to explore. However, there can sometimes be strong currents which make it more challenging.

9. Dalila

Dalila is a popular dive with a lot of marine life that lives in or visits the area. It’s a good chance that you will see turtles and sharks and eagle rays at Dalila. The current is swift here. This is not a wall dive and doesn’t have swim throughs but rich in marine life.

Depth: 40′-80’
Difficulty Level: This is a great dive site for all levels of scuba divers in Cozumel.

8. Palancar Gardens

It’s difficult not having all 4 Palancar sites in the top 5 best dive sites in Cozumel, but I believe that variety is key. Palancar Gardens is extremely impressive and offers a dive profile that new divers can enjoy without being certified.

Depth: 30′- 80′
Difficulty Level: This is a great dive site for all levels of divers.

7. La Francesa

This is next to Palancar Gardens in the shallow area. This has one of the most impressive swim-throughs on the island and makes for an amazing night dive.

Depth: 40′-80’
Difficulty Level: This is a great dive site for all levels.

6. Santa Rosa Wall

Santa Rosa is probably the most famous dive site in Cozumel. The sheer drop off into the abyss makes for an amazing dive. There are a lot of incredible swim-throughs and you can find a lot of little animals on the East side of the coral in the shallow area. It’d hard to not have this higher on the list.

Depth: 50′-130’
Difficulty Level: This is an intermediate level dive.

5. Cedral Pass

Cedral pass is probably the best dive site outside of wall dives and the massive coral formation sites like the top 4. You can expect to see a lot of marine life here like sharks, turtles and green morays here. With a moderate current you will finish with an amazing swim through and this is the home of the shark that lives with the green moray.

Depth: 40′-60’
Difficulty Level: This is an intermediate level dive.

4. Palancar Bricks

The top 4 dive sites are all incredible! It’s really hard to say one is better than the other. These are all world-class dive sites with impressive swim-throughs and deep natural paths that go in and out of the coral that makes for great repeatable dives.

Depth: 30′-100’
Difficulty Level: This is an intermediate level dive.

3. Palancar Caves

Probably the best of the Palancar sites. Only because it offers the most swim-throughs and dramatic drop-offs into the abyss that makes your jaw drop and scramble to put your regulator back in your mouth.

Depth: 40′-120’
Difficulty Level: This is an intermediate level dive.

2. Punta Sur Cathedral

An incredible dive. Not as repeatable as the Palancar sites but an amazing coral head that comes out of the abyss that you offer a spiraling swim through from the depths to the shallow. Incredible dive and an amazing site.

Depth: 50′-90’/15m-21m
Difficulty Level: This is an intermediate to advanced level dive.

1. Colombia Deep

My absolute favorite. This Cozumel dive site tops the list as it offers the best of everything. There is more marine life here than you think and the views that Colombia deep offers are unmatched. There aren’t many divers that get down in that part of the marine park either so you can expect fewer people.

Depth: 60′-140’
Difficulty Level: This is an intermediate to advanced level dive.