Barracuda Reef
Protected Area
Manglares y Humedales del Norte de Isla Cozumel
Why dive here
With 177+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, bull sharks, dolphins, eagle rays and nurse sharks - Barracuda Reef offers some of Cozumel's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.
Barracuda Reef feels like a proper Cozumel rush, a site we always try to hit when the conditions are right. We love it for the drift, a proper high-speed ride that carries you past some seriously impressive coral structures. You’ll often start deep, maybe around 25-30 meters, feeling that familiar Cozumel current tugging you along. Keep your eyes peeled for the bigger stuff out in the blue; we've had some memorable encounters with passing eagle rays here, almost like they're just checking out the show as you fly by. Down on the reef itself, the sheer number of blennies and gobies makes it a macro photographer's dream if you can manage to slow down the drift. We’ve spotted Sargassum Triggerfish picking their way across the sponges and plenty of those Caribbean Chestnut Morays peeking from crevices. The whole dive is a vibrant blur, a testament to healthy reef life even with the constant flow. It's definitely one for experienced divers who are comfortable in strong currents and want that exhilarating Cozumel experience.
Safety Notes
Strong currents typical this month (avg 79 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.
Nearest Dive Centres to Barracuda Reef
Dive shops near Barracuda Reef
Bluedream Cozumel
Pepe Scuba Dive Shop
AGUA CLARA DIVING
Cozumel Dive School
Aldora Divers
BE DIVING COZUMEL
Reviews for Barracuda Reef
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Barracuda Reef
Barracuda Reef Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Barracuda Reef, sourced from NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Yucatan Basin - 120 NM ESE of Cozumel, MX (227km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
85°F · Range: 28.7–32.3°C
Air Temperature
29°C
84°F
Current Speed
78.6 cm/s
Direction: NE (36.7°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.046 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
35.99 PSU
Wave Height
1.1m
6.7s period
Wind Speed
5.5 m/s
10.7 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1010.7 hPa
Visibility
24.1 nmi
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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