Cozumel, Mexico
    Arrecifes de Cozumel

    San Frandsco Reef

    Good diving all year

    Protected Area

    Arrecifes de Cozumel

    Why dive here

    With 177+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, bull sharks, dolphins, eagle rays and nurse sharks - San Frandsco Reef offers some of Cozumel's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.

    Best timeYear-round
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBarracuda, Bull Sharks, Dolphins, Eagle Rays and Nurse Sharks · 177+ species recorded
    Water27-30°C · warmest August, September, October
    CharacterReef dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    San Frandsco Reef is one of those Cozumel sites that often gets overlooked, sitting between flashier neighbours. But we love it for exactly that reason. It's a drift dive, like most here, so you’ll just let the current carry you along, often at a gentle pace, which means more time to really look. We’ve had some fantastic finds tucked into the coral here. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff – Flamefish darting into crevices, the beautiful blues of a Cherub Pygmy Angelfish, and if you’re lucky, that striking Collared Eel peeking from its hideaway. It’s also a good spot for Caribbean Spiny Lobsters, often lined up under ledges. The reef itself is a mix of coral formations, not towering walls, but interesting enough that we always find ourselves discovering something new. We’d suggest going in the mid-morning, after the earlier boats have moved on, to really soak it in. You’ll find it’s a calm, relaxing dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who prefers a less frenetic pace.

    Safety Notes

    Strong currents typical this month (avg 79 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.

    Today05:4217:2911h 47m daylightGolden hour 17:00

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for San Frandsco Reef

    San Frandsco Reef Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for San Frandsco Reef, sourced from NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Yucatan Basin - 120 NM ESE of Cozumel, MX (227km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    30°C

    85°F · Range: 28.7–32.3°C

    Air Temperature

    29°C

    84°F

    Current Speed

    78.6 cm/s

    Direction: NE (36.7°)

    Chlorophyll-a

    0.046 mg/m³

    Very clear (oligotrophic)

    Salinity

    35.99 PSU

    Wave Height

    1.1m

    6.7s period

    Wind Speed

    5.5 m/s

    10.7 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1010.7 hPa

    Visibility

    24.1 nmi

    Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU)

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