Page 104 - Mexico Diving From the Caribbean to Pacific Isles
P. 104
Side 2 of Franko’s Map of Cozumel features a couple of zoom-ins and a
Cozumel Reefs explanation and artwork. The first feature is Franko’s Map
of Greater San Miguel, which covers much of the west coast, from the Coz-
umel Country Club on the north to Chankanaab Marine National Park on
the south. Chankanaab Park is also show in an enlarged detail. The loca-
tions of the dive spots defined on side one are more closely shown here. A
few undersea photos of the reefs and sights highlight this map.
Although this detail shows many of the hotels and resorts along Cozumel’s
leeward side, the City of San Miguel itself deserves an even closer detail.
And thus the detail called Franko’s Map of Downtown San Miguel was
created.
Many of Cozumel’s main dive shops are located in this detail, along with
the city’s main features, such as the cruise ship terminals, the route to the
airport, Plaza San Miguel, hotels, and even grocery stores. A pictue of
a statue of the archangel San Miguel (Saint Michael), which was photo-
graphed at Cozumel’s beautiful San Miguel Church, shows exactly what
this fine city was named after. This city map and the details on the other
parts of the map make getting around on Cozumel via car, vespa, bike, or
walking easy.
The last detail on side two of Franko’s Map of Cozumel is the Coral Reefs
detail, in which yours truly (Franko) has created a water cube. In it the
nature of Cozumel’s walls (drop-offs), where scuba divers take a fabulous
drift-dive ride on Cozumel’s strong, clear currents, is described in detail.
This is typical of Santa Rosa Wall, or Maracaibo Reef. In slightly shal-
low water this same picture shows a typical cross section of Coral Pin-
nacles and Buttresses, as would be experienced on a Cozumel drift dive
at Columbia Pinnacles or Punta Sur (another famous favorite Cozumel
dive site). Lastly, there is a depiction of a Cozumel Coral Garden, such as
might be found at Santa Rosa Shallows or Paradise Reef. Franko’s Map of
Cozumel is a must have for anyone visiting or diving at Cozumel. Anyone
who likes seahorses must have this map!