Puerto de Abrigo - Cozumel

Snapper Hole, on Grand Cayman's East End, is a chaotic good kind of dive. It’s a tangle of swim-throughs and caverns that always keeps us guessing, maxing out at about 20m. We love getting lost in its maze-like structure, ducking under arches and squeezing through tight spots, though if you're not comfortable with overhead environments, maybe ease into this one. The BBC documentary cavern is impressive, dark and full of nooks. Look for the massive 1872 Spanish anchor propped against a coral head, a real piece of history down there. Our favourite feature has to be Papa Smurf’s House, a mushroom-shaped coral formation that’s just fun to swim around. In summer, the silverside swarms are so thick they blot out the sun, bringing in tarpon and jacks, a real spectacle. You'll often find schoolmaster snappers hanging out, and we’ve spotted a grumpy-looking green moray eel more than once. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too, we've had good luck finding blennies and jawfish tucked into the sand patches between coral heads. It’s a site that rewards slow exploration, best for divers who enjoy poking into every corner.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.528800, -86.943100
Type
cave
Maximum Depth
15-40m

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 Puerto de Abrigo

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 Puerto de Abrigo

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