Scuba Diving and Coral Reefs in the Mexican Caribbean

by Julieta Del Toro

The fantastic island of Cozumel is undoubtedly a favorite site for scuba diving, home to the renowned sites of Yucab, Maracaibo, Santa Rosa, Paraiso, Palancar and Punta Sur, which attract thousands of divers each year.

Within Cozumel is the island of Las Golondrinas (Island of the Swallows), surrounded by waters that hold an incomparable natural aquarium. Towards the west is found a fascinating and intricate system of live and petrified reefs that are either partially or completely submerged in the crystalline, tranquil Caribbean waters all year long; this is a preferred spot for divers, as it is a refuge for diverse marine species such as sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays, sharks and millions of multicolored fish that concentrate here due to the current that dominates this part of the reef.

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A few meters farther and you see the continental slope that descends abruptly 150 meters out, creating a wall that shelters in semi-darkness some of the strangest and most interesting life forms. Due to the incline of the wall, divers in certain areas feel as though they are swimming beneath it, creating an optical illusion that turns the experience into something surreal. 
What can be seen beneath the surface is so beautiful it must be seen up close. Experience this magical underwater adventure, as a marvelous hidden world is revealed before your eyes.