El Jardín - Santa Marta & Tayrona

Julio Kin Scuba is our pick for a no-fuss shore dive in Cozumel, especially if you’re looking to take things easy. It's an easy entry right off the sand, and the reef starts shallow, sloping gently to around 13 metres. We love it for a relaxed afternoon with the camera or a night dive when you want to skip the boat. The real draw here is the macro and juvenile life. You’ll spend time peering into crevices, looking for the tiny Redhead Cichlids or a Fringed Filefish blending into the corals. We’ve found seahorses here more than once, tucked into the shallower sections, and the Spotted Soapfish are always a treat to watch. Keep an eye out for small moray eels peeking from the Lesser Starlet Coral. Visibility generally hangs around 19 metres, which is decent for a shore entry. It's a calm spot, ideal for new divers getting comfortable, or experienced ones who just want to chill out and observe. If you’re into spotting the smaller, more unusual stuff, you’ll be happy here.

Location

Santa Marta & Tayrona, Colombia, South America

Coordinates

9.795300, -75.662500

Marine Protected Area: Los Corales del Rosario y de San Bernardo