Cenote Chac Mool - Cozumel
Alright, so "Get Wet Waikato" is a bit of a departure from the usual reef descriptions. What we're talking about here is an indoor, heated pool, purpose-built for diving. It's not a dramatic drop-off or a colourful coral wall, but it serves a really practical purpose, especially when the Hauraki Gulf decides to throw a tantrum. At a maximum depth of 8m, usually with about the same visibility (because, well, it's a pool), it's ideal for refining skills, testing new gear, or getting comfortable in the water without battling currents or chilly temps. You won't find schools of snapper, but it's perfect for knocking off the rust before heading out to the real Goat Island reefs. Plus, a warm shower afterwards is always a win.
- Location
- Cozumel, Mexico, North America
- Coordinates
- 20.512900, -87.247000
- Type
- cenote
Marine Protected Area: Caribe Mexicano
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 - Cozumel (reef)
- Barracuda - Playa del Carmen (reef)
- Barracuda - Playa del Carmen (reef)
- Barracuda Point
Nearest Dive Centres to Cenote Chac Mool
- 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 Cenote Chac Mool
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