Cozumel, Mexico
    Arrecifes de Cozumel

    Colombia Shallows

    Good diving all year

    Protected Area

    Arrecifes de Cozumel

    Why dive here

    With 177+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, bull sharks, dolphins, eagle rays and nurse sharks - Colombia Shallows offers some of Cozumel's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.

    Best timeYear-round
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBarracuda, Bull Sharks, Dolphins, Eagle Rays and Nurse Sharks · 177+ species recorded
    Water27-30°C · warmest August, September, October
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    Colombia Shallows is one of those Cozumel sites we genuinely love for its sheer approachability and unexpected drama. Sure, it’s a popular spot for newer divers, but don’t let that fool you. We’ve had some cracking dives here, even with hundreds of logged dives under our belts. The main draw is that sprawling coral garden, rarely deeper than 15 meters, where huge colonies of great star coral dominate. It’s a proper maze of swim-throughs and overhangs. We’ve spent entire dives just exploring these formations, finding angelfish darting between the coral heads and tiny gobies perched on the smooth flower coral. The visibility often hits 25 meters, so the light plays beautifully through the water, illuminating the colours. Keep an eye out for nurse sharks tucked under ledges; we almost always spot one. And if you’re there in winter, those eagle rays often glide right over the sand patches. Our top tip? Go early. You’ll have the place largely to yourself, and the morning light really makes the reef pop. It’s an ideal spot for macro photography, too. The fringed filefish here are remarkably chilled out, letting you get close enough for a good shot.

    Safety Notes

    Strong currents typical this month (avg 79 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.

    Today05:4217:2911h 47m daylightGolden hour 17:00

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Colombia Shallows

    Colombia Shallows Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Colombia Shallows, sourced from NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Yucatan Basin - 120 NM ESE of Cozumel, MX (227km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    30°C

    85°F · Range: 28.7–32.3°C

    Air Temperature

    29°C

    84°F

    Current Speed

    78.6 cm/s

    Direction: NE (36.7°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.046 mg/m³

    Very clear (oligotrophic)

    Salinity

    35.99 PSU

    Wave Height

    1.1m

    6.7s period

    Wind Speed

    5.5 m/s

    10.7 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1010.7 hPa

    Visibility

    24.1 nmi

    Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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