DIVE SITES - Megalodon Scuba Dive Center Cozumel Mexico

The water temperature along the year changes of few degree Celsius,the highest peak is on September with 32°C/89°F,in March the coldest temperature is no lower than 25°C/77°F,average temperature is 28°C/82°F;
the ideal thermic protection is a 3 mm Shorty wetsuit,for the coldy people a 3 mm Full-Body wetsuit works well.

Air temperature is about 30°C  in the Summer time and 24°C in the Winter,the weather is tropical humid,from September to November is moderately rainy with little chance of storm and hurricane widely foreseeable from 2 weeks before,however in this period the reef is more rich in marine life because of the higher water temperature.

Most of the dive sites are inside a protected Marine Park,the main rules helps to keep an healthy condition of the barrier reef and are the following:
forbidden of mooring,fishing,knife gloves and speargun use,touch contact with the enviroment,through the trash,take any acuatic life organism,feed the marine life,to use sunscreen not biodegradeble.

There are 4 hyperbaric chambers on the island,2 civil hospital and many private clinics.

LIST OF THE DIVE SITES  (from north to south)

1: BARRACUDA REEF
Encounters with turtles and pelagic fishes.
sea conditions: rough - strong/very strong current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 25 meters/82 feet
max depth: 40 meters/130 feet
difficulty: experience divers

2: SAN JUAN REEF
Rich in finger coral,turtles,nurse sharks,green moray eels,lion fish and pelagics.
sea conditions: rough - strong/very strong current
tipology: crest reef
average depth: 15 meters/50 feet
max depth: 21 meters/70 feet
difficulty: experience divers

3: CANTARELL WALL
We hold on a plateau at 24 meters/80 feet waiting in silence eagleray formation of 5,10,and up to 40 eagles!
highly recommended to use nitrox 32% to enjoy better the show without get to the decompression limit,this event happens just  in the winter time from November to March and this is just one of the few places in the world that shows.
sea conditions: mild/strong current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 24 meters/80 feet
max depth: 30 meters/100 feet
difficulty: experience divers

4: PUERTO DE ABRIGO
Hydra coral,barrel sponges,lion fish and pelagic.
sea conditions: mild/strong current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 18 meters/60 feet
max depth: 30 meters/100 feet
difficulty: normal

5: SEDENA WRECKS
2 wrecks about 15 meter long lies nearby on a sandy bottom in navigation position just 100 meters away form the beach and close to the international airport,inside it schools of axe fish,grunt fish,bristle worm,king crabs and some lion fish.
sea conditions: low/mild current
tipology: shore dive
average depth: 12 meters/40 feet
max depth: 12 meters/40 feet
difficulty: easy

6: VILLA BLANCA BEACH
Flounder,puffer fish,french grunt,trumpet fish and different species of moray eels are granted,pour in coral formation,for the "macro" photographer is an excellent site to take beautyful  pics with calm,many species of cleaner shrimps and the amazing Mantis shrimp are common;here we spend most of the training activity;in the night encounters with octopuses,lobsters and usually caribbean cuttlefish.
sea conditions: low current
tipology: shore dive
average depth: 5 meters/17 feet
max depth: 9 meters/30 feet
difficulty: easy

7: VILLA BLANCA  WALL
Hydra coral,grey barrel sponges,spotted moray eel,black grouper and pelagics.
sea conditions: mild/strong current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 21 meters/70 feet
max depth: 30 meters/100 feet
difficulty: normal

8: TIKILA BEACH
Here is possible to see the sea horse,pipe horse,scorpion fish,flounders and eels;pour in coral formations,excellent for the macro pictures,here we use to dive for training activity;octopus and lobster in the night.
sea conditions: low current
tipology: shore dive
average depth: 5 meters/17 feet
max depth: 8 meters/25 feet
difficulty: easy

9: PARADISE SHALLOW
For Diving & Snorkeling,rich in blue sea fan,eels and lots of common tropical fishes like the bermida chub,angel fish and queen trigger fish
sea conditions: low current
tipology: shore dive
average depth: 4 meters/14 feet
max depth: 8 meters/25 feet
difficulty: easy

10: PARADISE REEF
For Diving e Snorkeling,full of sponges,soft and hard coral,so many colors to appreciate with no loss of color because of the shallow depth,holes to light and find out huge king crabs,lobsters and eels,here is possible to see the endemic splendid toad fish of Cozumel,but also the great barracuda and big black groupers are common,on the sandy bottom shallower than the reef some little spotted stingrays and the sea horse on the see grass.
sea conditions: low/mild current
tipology: crest reef
average depth: 10 meters/33 feet
max depth: 12 meters/40 feet
difficulty: easy

11: LAS PALMAS DROP-OFF
Barrel sponge,gorgonian,huge groupers and great barracuda.
sea conditions: mild current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 20 meters/67 feet
max depth: 30 meters/100 feet
difficulty: normal

12: TZUL-HA
Excellent site for snorkeling,here we do course training;many coral blocks with sponges and soft coral at 50 meters away from the beach.
sea conditions: low/mild current
tipology: shore dive
average depth: 4 meters/14 feet
max depth: 7 meters/23 feet
difficulty: easy

13: WRECK C-53 Felipe Xicotencatl
The most wanted wreck on the island,US Navy military ship built in 1944,used as mine sweeper and than sold to the Mexican Government since 1962 and used untill 1999 for rescue missions and against the illegal traffics.
Donated to the diving community the ship was sank in 1999 and lies  in navigation position on a sandy bottom at 24 m/80 feet,12 m height,10 m width and 56 meters/184 feet long; has many cracks  that let an easy access and way out to the divers on a dive profile with penetration.
Various colored sponges growed on the metal,big angel fishes shows up on the main bridge,tens of garden eels on the bottom,inside the wreck a school of axe fish,giant king crabs and bristle worms,at the end of the dive great barracudas stands with the divers on the safety stop.divers are able to enjoy penetration inside and out the wreck in one dive.
WARNING:the artificial light is mandatory for this dive.
sea conditions: mild current
tipology: mooring on the wreck
average depth: 18 meters/60 feet
max depth: 24 meters/80 feet
difficulty: advanced divers

14: CHANKANAAB SHALLOW
Nearby the C-53 wreck in the shallow side many garden eels marks the begin of the reef,huge king crabs,lobsters and eels in the holes,but we can also see blennies,barracuda,black groupers and ocean trigger fish.
sea conditions: low/mild current
tipology: crest reef
average depth: 10 meters/33 feet
max depth: 13 meters/45 feet
difficulty: easy

15: CHANKANAAB BOLONES
Near the wreck on a sandy bottom slides to the depth there are many coral "blocks" of 3-4 meters high separated from each other,many spiny lobsters and king crabs,lion fish and ocean trigger fish.
sea conditions: low/mild current
tipology: crest reef
average depth: 18 meters/60 feet
max depth: 25 meters/83 feet
difficulty: normal

16: TORMENTOS
Moray eels,angel and trigger fishes,here lives the endemic spendid toadfish of Cozumel,than barracuda and big black groupers,grey stingrays on the sandy area.
sea conditions: low/mild current
tipology: crest reef
average depth: 12 meters/40 feet
max depth: 18 meters/60 feet
difficulty: normal

17: YUCAB REEF
Part of the same reef and similar to Tormentos,shallower with many schools of french and grey gruntfish.
sea conditions: low/mild current
tipology: crest reef
average depth: 10 meters/33 feet
max depth: 15 meters/50 feet
difficulty: easy

18: PUNTA TUNICH
Literally flying on the edge of the wall without kicking and just leave the strong current carries you,always turtle encounters,some nurse shark,green moray eel,juvenil drumfish and some eagleray in the winter time,2 big sea horse lives here from many years protected by a great grey barrel sponge.
sea conditions: strong/very strong
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 18 meters/60 feet
max depth: 30 meters/100 feet
difficulty: experience divers

19: CARDONA REEF
Excellent for snorkeling due to the shallow depth have many schools of fishes,the bermuda chub will follow you constantly during the swim.
sea conditions: low/mild current
tipology: crest reef
average depth: 7 meters/23 feet
max depth: 15 meters/50 feet
difficulty: easy

20: SAN CLEMENTE REEF
Diving and Snorkeling,very good for taking pictures and videos,some chance to see a turtle but the best attraction are some big schools of grunt fishes where you can swim right in the middle,here is common to see a green moray eel.
sea conditions: low current
tipology: crest reef
average depth: 10 meters/33 feet
max depth: 15 meters/50 feet
difficulty: easy

21: SAN FRANCISCO WALL
2 ways to do this dive:
Deep profile up to 40 meters/130 feet there is a natural concave on the 90° wall with caribbean black coral and distinct vase sponge white and purple colored;
Shallow profile,on the top of the edge,12/15 meters deep but a bit difficult when the current is strong,you can see hawksbill turltes,jackfish,grouper,spotted drumfish and more.
sea conditions: mild/strong current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 18 meters/60 feet
max depth: 40 meters/130 feet
difficulty: normal (with mild current) - advanced divers (deep profile,strong current)

22: SANTA ROSA SHALLOW
Coal reef on a sandy bottom parallel to the omonymous wall,at the begin there is chance to see a nurse shark,colors are marvelous due to the shallow depth and the low air consuption allows to a long dive;in the winter season is easy to see here one or more spotted eaglerays.
sea conditions: mild current
tipology: crest reef
average depth: 10 meters/33 feet
max depth: 12 meters/40 feet
difficulty: easy

23: SANTA ROSA WALL
One of the most wanted dive site,the profile is usually normal except sometime when the current is strong;you can see a little bit of everything,even a swim through a big illuminated cavern where lives many "rocky lobsters",at the end of the reef 2 big schools of horseeye jacks are waiting for us,then we finish the dive in the shallow reef.
sea conditions: low/mild current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 18 meters/60 feet
max depth: 30 meters/100 feet
difficulty: normal

24: PASO DEL CEDRAL
We start the dive on a platform  at 10 meters deep,like a "hill" rich in soft coral and sponges where eats the green and hawksbill turtles,many angel and queen trigger fishes,after a little sandy area with few rocks where we can spot the endemic splendid toadfish of Cozumel,maybe a sea horse and a green moray eel,then start the big coral reef formation full of marine life,many barracudas,some nurse shark and a funny swim through with a nice light game penetrate from the roof,in the winter we also see the eaglerays here.
sea conditions: mild/strong current
tipology: crest reef
average depth: 14 meters/47 feet
max depth: 18 meters/60 feet
difficulty: experience divers

25: CEDRAL WALL
On the same platform of the PASO we cross to the wall reef,here the current is always strong and the safety rules are sacred,between the wall and some "hills" there are some canyons,the divers drift through it meeting the big animals lives in Cozumel,is common the nurse shark and turtle encounter,but also a great green moray eel lives here from many years.
sea conditions: strong/very strong current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 15 meters/50 feet
max depth: 30 meters/100 feet
difficulty: experience divers

26: LA FRANCESA
Rich in marine life and shallow like el PASO DEL CEDRAL,in great demand by photographers.
sea conditions: mild/strong current
tipology: crest reef
average depth: 15 meters/50 feet
max depth: 20 meters/65 feet
difficulty: normal

27: PUNTA DALILA
Crest reef with a deeper side,many swim through,nurse sharks and turtles.
sea conditions: mild current
tipology: crest reef
average depth: 15 meters/50 feet
max depth: 18 meters/60 feet
difficulty: normal

28: PALANCAR GARDENS
Absolutely the most famous dive site of Cozumel,the top of the wall is just at 5/8 meters deep,gorgeous giants formations make the wall irregular showing the splendor with 70 spicies of corals and 100 species of sponges all in front of you,those formation break the currents and we just need to enjoy the "walk" inthe eden;arch and passsages through the towers of coral makes the dive not only spectacular but funny too.
sea conditions: mild current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 15 meters/50 feet
max depth: 30 meters/100 feet
difficulty: normal

29: PALANCAR HORSESHOE
Same as the GARDENS,this site take the name by the shape of the reef at the begin that from above seems like a "horseshoe".
sea conditions: mild current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 15 meters/50 feet
max depth: 30 meters/100 feet
difficulty: normal

30: PALANCAR CAVES
Part of the same coral formation  offers many swim through and illuminated caverns by the sunlught,excelent wideangle photos can be made by the divers and coral composition;in the winter time on the top of the wall and at 30 meters deep you can see many reef sharks,similar to the black tip sharks.
sea conditions: mild current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 15 meters/50 feet
max depth: 30 meters/100 feet
difficulty: normal

31: PALANCAR BRICKS
Here the coral formations rises from the bottom up to 20 meters high! have a ride through the imposing coral towers.A second dive profile is to sink down at 30 meters and pass through a cavern (cuevon).
sea conditions: mild current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 20 meters/65 feet
max depth: 30 meters/100 feet
difficulty: normal

32: COLOMBIA SHALLOW
For Diving and Snorkeling,the weak current and the shallow depth allows beginners and photographers to enjoy colorful scenarios on a looong dive,not even the red color is lost in the variety of coral and sponges,at the begin a big school of barracudas says welcome,in some points the reef almost reach the surface with the beautyful and not common alkhorn coral.
sea conditions: low current
tipology: crest reef
average depth: 8 meters/25 feet
max depth: 10 meters/33 feet
difficulty: easy

33: COLOMBIA DEEP
Parallel to COLOMBIA SHALLOW there is an irregular wall with many tunnels and many hawksbill turtles.
sea conditions: mild current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 24 meters/80 feet
max depth: 30 meters/100 feet
difficulty: experience divers

34: EL CIELO
On a sandy bottom at 2 meters deep lies a "constellation" of sea stars big and everywhere,is a perfect point for snorkeling.

35: 4 PIEDRAS
Between COLOMBIA  and PUNTA SUR giant blocks of coral rises from the bottom,nurse sharks rest into the cracks.
sea conditions: mild current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 22 meters/75 feet
max depth: 30 meters/100 feet
difficulty: experience divers

36: PUNTA SUR - DEVIL'S THROAT
Is part of the southern reef of the island,a deep dive in a strong current,descending straight to 27/30 meters and enter in a cavern full of holes,amazing the light games from inside,on the left a close and dark tunnel marked by a cross shape sponge call us to enter and decent even deeper...into the "devil's throat",the light at the end of the tunnel appear after just 2 meter swim and the exit is at 40 meters deep on a 90° wall,right below you just the deeeep blue! Intense feeling for a very short dive due to the depth,is recommended a 15 liters tank specially for who has high air consuption;if you are "Decompression Divers" we offer an extended dive to really enjoy even the spectacular drop off.
NOTICE: exclusive dive just for expert divers.
sea conditions: strong current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 30 meters/100 feet
max depth: 40 meters/130 feet
difficulty: advanced divers

37: PUNTA SUR - CATHEDRAL
Massive coral formation,the top is at 15/20 meters and a large and long oval cavity is full of holes allow us to exit to the sea any moment from the "cathedral" and gives us a unique picture of natural sunlight.
sea conditions: strong current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 25 meters/83 feet
max depth: 30 meters/100 feet
difficulty: advanced divers

38: CHUN CHACAAB REEF
Right in front of the lighthouse of Punta Sur an extensive plateau of alghes and corals not defined at 20/24 meters rich in feather coral.
sea conditions: mild current
tipology: crest reef
average depth: 24 meters/80 feet
max depth: 24 meters/80 feet
difficulty: experience divers

39: MARACAIBO
The southern wall reef of the island,here the blu is woooww;we descent on the edge of the wall around the depth of 30 meters and passing through a natural arch,then cross some nurse sharks,hawksbill turtle and an eagleray,here lives the reef shark with the black tips.
"Decompression Divers" dives deep to 50 meters/170 feet in the blue to take the chance to see the mokarran hammerhead shark.
sea conditions: strong/very strong current
tipology: wall dive
average depth: 30 meters/100 feet
max depth: 40 meters/130 feet
difficulty: advanced divers