Blackbeard - Cozumel

Blackbeard, just off Dzul Ha, is one of our favorite shallow dives when we're in Cozumel, especially if we're easing into a trip or squeezing in a twilight dive. It’s an artificial reef, which usually means we're tempering expectations, but Blackbeard pulls it off with a genuine charm. The concrete reef balls here aren’t just fish apartments, they're bustling with bluestriped grunts – so many they sometimes look like a shimmering silver wall. We've seen fat red groupers lurking in the shadows, and trumpetfish often hang vertically, trying to blend in with the sea whips. The maximum depth is a comfortable 17 meters, so we get plenty of bottom time to really scrutinize the smaller stuff. Keep an eye out for mimic cardinalfish, which are surprisingly common here, and the odd sharpnose pufferfish darting through the lettuce coral. Visibility usually holds around 24 meters, offering clear views of the busy activity. It's a relaxed site, perfect for newer divers, photographers wanting to practice on a slow drift, or anyone who enjoys watching reef life without the pressure of a deeper profile. It’s also surprisingly good for a night snorkel; we’ve spotted broadnose worm eels and belt cardinalfish after dark, something you don't always expect from a site this accessible.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.459200, -86.986700
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Arrecifes de 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

Nearest Dive Centres to Blackbeard

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 Blackbeard

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