La Palomita - Cozumel

The Buenos Aires wreck is one of our favourites in Arraial do Cabo. It’s a proper historical dive, a steamship that went down in 1890, and you can really feel that history as you descend. The wreck starts around 13 metres, but the best of it, the main structure, lies deeper, hitting 31 metres. We’d suggest this one for experienced divers; the currents here can be fierce, especially at the surface, and the average visibility of 8 metres means you need to be comfortable navigating a bit of murk. Down amongst the twisted metal, the wreck has become a home. We’ve seen huge schools of kingfish and horse-eye jacks circling the mast, making the whole structure feel alive. Look closely and you’ll spot pygmy filefish camouflaged on the hull, and every crevice seems to hide a pallid snake eel or a grumpy moray. We’ve even been lucky enough to spot eagle rays gliding over the sandy patches nearby. The temperature hovers around 18 degrees, so a good 5mm suit is a smart move. Keep an eye out for stonefish on the bottom, too – they’re masters of disguise and demand respect. It's a dive that rewards slow exploration, letting the story of the ship and its new inhabitants unfold.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.538500, -86.937400
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Manglares y Humedales del Norte de Isla 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 La Palomita

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 La Palomita

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