Paso El Cedral Reef - Cozumel

Paso El Cedral is where we head when we want some Cozumel drift diving with a real sense of discovery. It doesn't get the same buzz as Palancar or Santa Rosa, and that's exactly why we love it. The reef here just keeps going, a long, sloping wall of coral, and if you keep your eyes peeled, there are small caverns and overhangs hiding all sorts of creatures. We've found Sharpnose Pufferfish tucked into crevices and watched Spotfin Dragonets doing their little dance on the sandy patches. The parrotfish here, especially the Dark Green variety, are absolutely massive and seem to ignore divers completely. Our favourite thing to do is find a quiet corner and just watch for the tiny stuff – the Goldspot Gobies perched on coral heads, or if you're lucky, a Candy Basslet darting between the Rose Coral. The current can pick up, so it's a good site for those comfortable with a bit of a ride, letting the water do the work as you glide past. We’d suggest an early morning dive here before the boats really start rolling in, giving you a quieter experience with fewer bubbles to obscure your view.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.314526, -87.033860
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 Paso El Cedral 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 Paso El Cedral 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