Cenote Zapote (Hells Bells) - Cozumel

Gili Selang isn't really a Gili at all, it's more of a big rock sitting off Lombok’s eastern coast. It’s a drift diver's playground, no doubt about it. We usually find ourselves flying along the outer wall here, the current pushing us past some really striking soft corals – purples, yellows, and oranges that just pop against the blue. You’ll spend a lot of time looking out into the open water; we’ve seen everything from schooling mackerel to big dogtooth tuna here. The reef itself is a mix of rock and coral, with some impressive staghorn formations and quite a few small giant clams tucked into crevices. Keep an eye out for Gardiner's headshield slugs, too – they're always a neat find. Visibility averages around 17m, which is good enough to appreciate the scale of the wall as you zip by. This spot is definitely one for the experienced diver who loves a good current and the thrill of big pelagic encounters.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.853800, -87.125300
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Arrecife de Puerto Morelos

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 Cenote Zapote (Hells Bells)

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 Cenote Zapote (Hells Bells)

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