Puentes - Cozumel

Snake Reef, despite its rather uninspiring name and a first glance that might suggest a plain stretch of coral, consistently delivers. This isn't a dramatic wall or a swim-through labyrinth; it’s a flat reef surrounded by sand, maxing out around 25m. We love it because it’s where you reliably find things you’ve been hoping to tick off. We’ve spent entire dives here just hovering, watching for movement. Schools of fusiliers often drift by, thick enough to momentarily dim the light. Keep an eye out for leaf fish swaying gently, perfectly camouflaged, and the occasional stonefish blending seamlessly into the coral rubble. Our pick for a standout moment? Spotting a cloth-of-gold cone snail slowly making its way across the sand, a truly beautiful, if venomous, creature. You’ll also spot the usual suspects like the Black-back and African Butterflyfish, flitting between staghorn coral formations. We’ve had a few close encounters with barracuda, particularly the bigger Great Barracuda, just hanging mid-water, watching us. It’s a great site for divers who appreciate a slower pace, those who enjoy really scrutinizing the reef for smaller, less obvious creatures. It’s not about grand vistas, but about the sheer density of interesting life you can uncover if you take your time.

Location: Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates: 20.810700, -86.863200
Type: reef
Maximum Depth: 20m

Marine Protected Area: Arrecife de Puerto Morelos

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 Puentes

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 Puentes

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