Occidental at Xcaret Destination, Cozumel and Playa del Carmen

Cozumel and Playa del Carmen diving offers incredible opportunities for underwater exploration, with the Mesoamerican Reef - one of the world's longest barrier reef systems - on its doorstep. Dive in search of sea turtles, squadrons of eagle rays, and schooling reef fish by the thousand, as well as wrecks such as the Felipe Xicoténcatl C-53. Lucky divers might also spot gigantic barracuda and tarpon, nurse sharks, and cryptic creatures like splendid toadfish and seahorses.

Diving Cozumel's walls and reefs

While much of the Caribbean is famous for its shallow light-filled coral gardens, Cozumel is renowned for its plummeting walls and drop-offs. Some sites, like Santa Rosa Wall, boast incredible coral gardens in the shallows, powerful currents, and sheer vertical formations plunging into the abyss. Search the caverns and overhangs here for harder to spot reef creatures and sleeping sharks. And, remember to keep one eye on the blue - you never know what might pass by!

Many of the dive sites shared by Cozumel and Playa del Carmen lie within a protected channel, offering shelter from the open ocean and allowing for the development of incredible and, in some cases gigantic, coral colonies. Massive elkhorn and brain corals punctuate the landscape, joined by colourful sponges, fans, and sea whips. These carpeting coral fields are a magnet for marine life, drawing schools of snapper, behemoth grouper, and even sharks. Cozumel's windward, or open ocean side, is also home to scattered coral gardens and sand channels. You might spot passing pelagics here, and some sites boast fascinating artefacts, including hundreds of years old Spanish cannons.

Cenote diving in the Yucatan Peninsula

In Playa del Carmen, cenote diving is a top attraction - and you don't have to be an advanced diver to experience it! Many of this region's cenotes are suitable for divers of all skill levels, and even snorkellers, providing you don’t venture into any enclosed caves or tunnels. Some of these freshwater formations house incredible archaeological finds, including evidence of human sacrifice. Other interesting sights include diving through a swirling halocline - where fresh and saltwater meet and otherworldly scenes like petrified trees and clouds of hydrogen sulfide gas.

Playa del Carmen's bull sharks

Each year between November and March, female bull sharks return to these calm coastal waters to pup. For divers, this means a once in a lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with these powerful predators in a safe and controlled setting. Divers kneel patiently in the sand and wait for the sharks to approach a submerged bait box. While it's typical to spot just a few individuals during your dive, up to a dozen sharks can be seen swimming together.

Day trip diving

If you're planning to sample the very best of Playa del Carmen and Cozumel scuba diving, leave some time in your schedule to explore other incredible sites around the Yucatan Peninsula. Day trips can be organised to snorkel with whale sharks around Cancun and Isla Mujeres or dive the stunning reefs in the Costa Maya region to the south. Just keep in mind that you can expect one or two hours of transit each way between Playa del Carmen and these areas, and of course, the trip is quite a bit longer from Cozumel.