Maracaibo Reef - Cozumel

Maracaibo Reef. Now this is a dive that separates the divers from the sightseers, and we absolutely love it for that. It's way down south, often with a decent current pushing you along, so you’ll need to be comfortable with a drift and a deeper profile. The reward? An uncrowded, raw piece of Cozumel. We're talking serious topography here, huge coral structures that feel ancient, dropping off into the blue. Keep your eyes peeled for those smaller, shyer residents you don’t often see closer to town. We’ve had incredible luck spotting Collared Eels poking out of their holes, and the Goldspot Gobies are always a treat. On one memorable dive, we watched a pair of Yellowhead Jawfish tending their eggs, completely undisturbed. The sheer scale of the reef, the feeling of being somewhere truly remote, makes it our pick for an advanced dive. It's the kind of place where you feel the ocean's power, but also its immense, quiet beauty. If you’re an experienced diver looking for Cozumel’s wilder side, Maracaibo delivers.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.262840, -87.011375
Type
reef

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 Maracaibo 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 Maracaibo 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