El Islote - Cozumel

El Islote is one of our favourite Cozumel drift dives, not for its grandiosity, but for its delightful details. The current usually carries you gently along a sloping wall, giving you ample time to really soak in the smaller things. We often find ourselves pausing, or rather, drifting slowly enough to peer into the crevices. That’s where you’ll spot those brilliant Caribbean chestnut morays, their heads poking out, or the shy cave bass lurking in the shadows. What we really love about El Islote, though, is its bounty of smaller, often overlooked creatures. Keep your eyes peeled for yellowhead jawfish hovering over their sandy burrows, quickly ducking in as you approach. The sand patches are prime hunting grounds for the camouflaged sand stargazer, just its eyes visible above the substrate. And if you’re patient, you might even spot a dusky pipefish weaving through the gorgonians. This site is perfect for photographers or anyone who enjoys a relaxed pace and prefers macro wonders over pelagic giants. It’s a site that rewards a slow, observant eye.

Location: Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates: 20.259298, -86.974980

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to El Islote

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 El Islote

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