San Frandsco Reef
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.
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.
Nearest Dive Centres to San Frandsco Reef
Dive shops near San Frandsco Reef
Scuba Mau
Dive Palancar
CARIBE PARADISE DIVERS
Elite Dive Center
Blue Note Scuba Diving
Scuba XOC Dive Center Cozumel
Reviews for San Frandsco Reef
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)
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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