Page 111 - Mexico Diving From the Caribbean to Pacific Isles
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PARAISO SUR 10-15m (33-50ft.) Boat BEACHCOMBER CAVERN 3-5m (10- CARDONA REEF 6-15m (20-50ft.) Shal-
dive or shore dive from Laguna Caleta. 17ft.) Advanced shore dive where caves run low boat dive on reef with protection from
Common second dive. Snorkelers beware into Cozumel’s interior. Silversides (various current within overhangs and tunnels.
of boat traffic. Photogenic fish nursery. juvenile fishes are called “silversides”) by Good place to find Cozumel’s favorite, the
LAS PALMAS SHALLOWS 6-12m (20- the millions. Dangerous swells. Snorkelers splendid toad fish.
40ft.) Beginner shallow boat dive 150m peak into caves from the shoreline. Bright green “hanging vine” algae grows
offshore north of Fiesta Americana. Corals BOLONES DE CHANKANAAB 15-20m here.
rise out of sandy slope. Many invertebrates. (50-80ft.) Boat dive to three sections of reef SAN FRANCISCO REEF/WALL 12-30m+
LAS PALMAS DROP-OFF 15-30m+ (50- which get progressively deeper toward the (40-100ft.+) Unpredictable currents on
100ft.+) Drift dive in continuous moderate drop-off. Colorful sponges and corals. inclined coral rubble and sand chutes.
current. Coral and sand slopes to about TORMENTOS REEF 9-20m (30-66ft.) Damaged by hurricanes, but has nice brain
20m (66ft.) then becomes near-vertical wall Boat to fast drift dive over big coral heads, corals, sea fans and vase sponges.
with barrel sponges and sea fans. sand channels and colorful sponges. Look SANTA ROSA SHALLOWS 6-15m (20-
FIESTA AMERICANA COZUMEL REEF in holes for Cozumel’s splendid toadfish. 50ft.) Dive at east end of Santa Rosa Wall
to 6m (20ft.) Beginner shore dive to shallow YUCAB 12-21m (40-69ft.) This easy going where recesses of reef protect divers from
reef mostly for snorkelers, but hurricanes drift dive had a beautiful reef structure, but current. Shallow sandy area slopes down to
have smothered the reef in sand and dam- Hurricane Wilma wiped it out in Oct. 2005. strip reef. Lobsters live in small caves. This
aged the coral. Tame tropical fish abound. Fish are still abundant. is a photogenic second dive.
CHANKANAAB UNDERWATER PARK YUCAB WALL 10-30m+ (33-100ft.+) A SANTA ROSA WALL 10-30m+ (33-
3-10m (10-33ft.) See details on reverse favorite dive site where divers find protec- 100ft.+) Either dive with strong current
side of map. Most popular shore diving in tion from currents within overhangs and outside of reef or the calm inner reef.
Cozumel. Fee to enter park. tunnels of large coral outcropping. Big fish Often noted amongst Cozumel’s best dives.
CHANKANAAB REEF 11-15m (33-50ft.) are common. Southern section is exposed to strong
200-300 meters directly out from Chan- PUNTA TUNICH 15-30m+ (50-100ft.+) currents, the Middle Section has tunnels
kanaab. Currents, wind, strip reef with Dive parallel to Yucab reef in strong current, through the reef, and the Northern Section
tunnels and cracks. Excellent night dive to often with chop on top. Green moray eels is full of caves, overhangs, swim-throughs,
see lobsters, octopi and Cozumel’s splendid hide in crevices of wall. Angelfish pairs and a wall. Huge hungry groupers hang out
toad fish. watch divers. at 100’+ (30m+) depth.
