Barracuda - Cozumel - Cozumel
Coral Wonderland, despite its slightly generic name, really does deliver. We love sites that manage to pack so much into shallower depths, and this pinnacle does exactly that. A quick hop from Barefoot Manta, you drop onto a gentle slope, maybe 16 metres at its deepest, where the sand meets these incredible coral bommies. It’s not about huge pelagics here, it’s about the details. We’ve spent whole dives just circling one of the larger Pavona clavus pinnacles, watching clownfish tend their anemone homes while bristly surgeonfish graze nearby. Schools of snapper often hold tight to the shelter of the bommies, their silver scales flashing in the sun, and if you take your time, you'll spot some neat little critters – those tiny sparse eviota are a real treat if you have a good eye. It’s a very relaxed dive, great for photographers who want to spend time composing shots, or newer divers looking to build confidence without worrying about strong currents. Just be aware that if it's been a bit breezy, the visibility can drop a touch, but it rarely detracts from the coral formations.
- Location
- Cozumel, Mexico, North America
- Coordinates
- 20.570200, -86.918600
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Manglares y Humedales del Norte de Isla Cozumel
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
- Agua Negra Cozumel (reef)
- Agua Negra Cozumel (reef)
- AGUSTIN MELGAR - 13m (wreck)
- Akumal Dive Shop
- Amancay Freediving
- Aristos
- Bajo de Molas
- Bandera - 15-30m (reef)
- Barco Hundido - Wreck Cadete Juan Escutia C-56 (reef)
- Barco Hundido - Wreck Cadete Juan Escutia C-56 (wreck)
- Barracuda - Cozumel (drift)
- Barracuda - Playa del Carmen (reef)
- Barracuda - Playa del Carmen (reef)
- Barracuda Point
- Barracuda Reef (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to Barracuda - Cozumel
- Abyss
- ACTUNPRO
- AGUA CLARA DIVING - PADI, SSI
- Akumal Dive Adventures
- Akumal Dive Shop
- Aldora Divers - ["PADI"]
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
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
- Great star coral (Montastraea cavernosa) - Hard Corals
- turtlegrass (Thalassia testudinum) - Seagrass & Algae
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Spiny Brittle Star (Ophiocoma echinata)
- Reticulated brittle star (Ophionereis reticulata)
- Blue Doctor (Acanthurus coeruleus) - Reef Fish
- Harlequin Brittle Star (Ophioderma appressum)
- Gutong (Sparisoma aurofrenatum) - Reef Fish
- Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) - Hard Corals
- manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) - Seagrass & Algae
- Barber (Acanthurus bahianus) - Reef Fish
- French grunt (Haemulon flavolineatum) - Reef Fish
- Hamlet (Gymnothorax moringa) - Reef Fish
- Dark Green Parrotfish (Sparisoma viride) - Reef Fish
- Black Moray (Gymnothorax funebris) - Reef Fish
- Massive Starlet Coral (Siderastrea siderea) - Hard Corals
- Grunt (Haemulon plumierii) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Barracuda - Cozumel
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