Chankanaab Reef - Cozumel

Chankanaab Reef is one of those Cozumel sites we always suggest for a relaxed afternoon dive, particularly if you’re staying close to San Miguel. You won’t get the roaring current drifts here like Palancar or Columbia, which frankly, can be a welcome change. Instead, expect a gentler pace, letting you really comb over the smaller stuff. We love spotting the Yellowhead Jawfish, little heads poking from their burrows, sometimes with a clutch of eggs tumbling in their mouths. Keep an eye out for Sand Stargazers too, masters of disguise, buried in the sand with just their eyes peeking out, always good for a quiet chuckle. The reef itself is a mix of coral formations, with plenty of nooks and crannies. We’ve found some surprisingly large Marbled Morays tucked away, and the Candy Basslets are usually flitting about in the deeper sections, their colours really pop against the blue. Visibility is typically good here, often 20 metres plus, making it a comfortable dive for anyone who prefers to take their time and photograph the macro life. It’s not a site for big pelagics, but if you enjoy the smaller, often overlooked inhabitants of the reef, Chankanaab delivers.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.377450, -87.037125
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
5-18m

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 Chankanaab Reef

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 Chankanaab Reef

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