Cozumel, Mexico
    Manglares y Humedales del Norte de Isla Cozumel

    Barracuda Reef

    Good diving all year

    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.

    Best timeYear-round
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBarracuda, Bull Sharks, Dolphins, Eagle Rays and Nurse Sharks · 177+ species recorded
    Water27-30°C · warmest August, September, October
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    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.

    Today05:4217:2911h 47m daylightGolden hour 16:59

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    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)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    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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