Punta Tunich - Cozumel

The South East Corner of Great Mercury Island is a commitment, we’ll grant you that. It’s exposed, often bumpy on the surface, but when the weather gives you a window, it’s absolutely worth the effort. The reef here is a long, kelp-fringed wall dropping to around 18 metres, often with white sand channels cutting through the rock. We love drifting along, looking for the local specialties like New Zealand Scaly-headed Triplefins flitting among the kelp, or spotting a shy Crested Blenny peeking from a crevice. This site really comes alive when the bigger stuff cruises by. We’ve had incredible encounters with schools of butterfly perch, so dense they obscure the reef, and the chance of seeing a New Zealand Draughtboard Shark tucked into an overhang is always high. Keep an eye on the blue too; Orcas are known to frequent these waters, and seeing them underwater is an experience you won't soon forget. It’s a site for divers who appreciate a bit of adventure and the raw, untamed beauty of New Zealand's coastline, and who don't mind waiting for that perfect weather window.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.412500, -87.021500
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 Punta Tunich

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 Punta Tunich

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