Akumal Dive Shop - Cozumel

Okay, Akumal Dive Shop. Not a drift, not a wall, but a house reef that often gets overlooked, and frankly, that’s a shame. We love it because it’s a masterclass in slow diving. Forget the usual Cozumel speed run; here you want to crawl. What makes it standout? For us, it’s the blennies and gobies. The blackfin blennies pop out from the coral, bright little characters. You’ll spot checkered blennies too, darting around. Take your time scanning the sandy patches for those tiny ladder horn snails and the little post horn squid – they’re easy to miss if you’re speeding past. The massive starlet coral formations are impressive, providing plenty of nooks and crannies for a black moray or a chain moray to peek out. And yes, you’ll find plenty of parrotfish, like the yellowtail, munching away. It’s shallow, which means long bottom times and great light, especially in the late morning. We’d suggest going early, before the crowds, or late afternoon for golden hour. It’s an ideal site for macro enthusiasts, underwater photographers who love finding the small stuff, and anyone who wants a relaxed dive away from the main currents.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.396845, -87.313446

Marine Protected Area: Playa Tortuguera X'cacel-X'cacelito

Best Time to Dive in Cozumel

The warmest water temperatures in Cozumel occur in September, averaging 29.8°C (up to 32.1°C). The coolest conditions are in February at 26.9°C.

The calmest sea conditions are typically in September with average wave heights of 0.70m. Average current speed: 95.0 cm/s.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.2°C (air: 26.2°C)
  • February: 26.9°C (air: 26.4°C)
  • March: 27.0°C (air: 26.5°C)
  • April: 27.5°C (air: 27.4°C)
  • May: 28.4°C (air: 28.2°C)
  • June: 29.0°C (air: 28.8°C)
  • July: 29.4°C (air: 29.4°C)
  • August: 29.6°C (air: 29.5°C)
  • September: 29.8°C (air: 29.5°C)
  • October: 29.6°C (air: 29.0°C)
  • November: 28.8°C (air: 27.9°C)
  • December: 27.9°C (air: 26.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cozumel

Nearest Dive Centres to Akumal Dive Shop

Marine Life in Cozumel

Home to 181 recorded species including 140 reef fish, 15 hard corals, 9 other, 7 sharks & rays, 3 seagrass & algae, 2 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Akumal Dive Shop

Based on average water temperature of 28.4°C, visibility 23 nmi, currents 87 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins (stiff blade recommended for strong currents)
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories