Cozumel
Effortless drift dives along walls of coral in clear Caribbean water.
At a glance
- Best months
- November to April
- Water
- 25–29°C3 mm wetsuit or less in summer
- Visibility
- 15–40 m
- Current
- ModerateModerate to strong drift on most reefs
- Certification
- AdvancedSome sites possible for Open Water
- How you dive
- Land-based
When to go
November to April; May to October is warmer but brings sargassum and hurricane risk.
Overview
Cozumel is an island off Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula and one of the Caribbean's best-known dive destinations. Most diving is drift diving: a current runs along the reefs almost every day, and boats drop you upstream and pick you up downstream as you glide past walls and coral towers.
The water is warm and usually clear. Turtles, eagle rays and big groupers are common, and from about November to March some operators run dives to see bull sharks.
November to April is the most comfortable time, with clear water and the least seaweed, although winter cold fronts can bring wind and stronger current. May to October is warmer and quieter but brings sargassum and the hurricane season, which peaks from August to October.
Who it suits
Open Water divers can do the gentler drifts with a good operator. Stronger days and deeper walls suit Advanced divers.
What you'll see
Know the risks
- Drift current, stronger at season changes
- Hurricane season June to November, peaking August to October
- Sargassum seaweed in summer
Sources
Last reviewed 2026-10. Where sources disagree we use the more conservative range.