El Garrafon
Protected Area
Costa Occ. de I. Mujeres, Pta. Cancún y Pta. Nizuc
Why dive here
With 177+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, bull sharks, dolphins, eagle rays and nurse sharks - El Garrafon offers some of Cozumel's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.
We think El Garrafon is often overlooked by divers chasing the big wall dives further south, and that’s a shame. It’s right on Cozumel’s southwest coast, a pretty easy entry from shore, making it perfect for those days you want to avoid a boat trip or get in a relaxed second dive. The reef here, while not dramatic, is a tapestry of smaller corals, often with schools of juvenile fish darting between the cracks. We’ve had some of our best macro encounters here, spotting those shy Bicolor Toadfish peeking out from under ledges, and on a good day, the flash of a Goldspotted Killifish. Look closely in the sandy patches for Sand Stargazers, they’re masters of disguise and a real treat to find. It’s a calmer dive, usually without the ripping currents Cozumel is famous for, which means you can really take your time and explore. Our favourite tip? Go early in the morning before the day trippers arrive. You get the whole place to yourself and the light coming through the water is something else, especially when it catches a flash of a Blue Parrotfish grazing on the coral. If you’re into spotting the smaller, more unusual stuff and appreciate a relaxed pace, El Garrafon is a winner.
Typical El Garrafon Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Strong currents typical this month (avg 79 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.
Nearest Dive Centres to El Garrafon
Dive shops near El Garrafon
Casa del Buceo
Mexico Divers
Sea Hawk Divers
Vision Oceanos Dive Center
Solo Buceo
Squalo Divers
Reviews for El Garrafon
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for El Garrafon
El Garrafon Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for El Garrafon, sourced from NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Yucatan Basin - 120 NM ESE of Cozumel, MX (227km away)
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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