Cardona - Cozumel

Flagstaff, right there in Port Stephens, is one of those sites we always suggest for an easy Sunday morning dive. It’s shallow, capping out around seven metres, so you get plenty of bottom time to really poke around. We love it because it’s surprisingly rich for a sandy bottom, with those rocky edges by the bay entrance providing plenty of nooks. You’ve got two ways in: a gentle entry through the bay or, our preferred, a step over the rocks. Just time that rock entry for high tide, it makes things much smoother. Once you’re in, we usually head for the rock structures outside the bay, where the real show happens. We’ve had incredible luck here spotting southern eagle rays gliding over the sand flats, and the nudibranch variety is impressive if you’re looking closely – we’ve found everything from vibrant reds to subtle browns. Schools of bannerfish often hang around the rock walls, and in winter, if you’re lucky, a grey nurse shark might just cruise past. Visibility averages about seven metres, so it’s never a vast blue, but it’s clear enough to appreciate the details. It’s perfect for macro enthusiasts or just a chilled-out dive where you don't need to worry about depth or complex navigation.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.407800, -87.019500

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 Cardona

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 Cardona

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