Safe Bet Cozumel

The island that never fails to delight
When I first visited Cozumel, I thought that I had seen some of the most spectacular walls and coral formations in the entire Caribbean. Now, 30 years and thousands of dives later, I still feel that way. Mexico's largest Caribbean island, Cozumel is the world's most visited single-island dive destination, thanks to a splendid underwater environment and its proximity to the continental United States. There are plenty of other reasons for its enduring popularity. The Maya ambiance and hospitality are special assets. The quality and quantity of dining, shopping and nightlife are superb. Plus Cozumel is as safe as any destination you will ever visit. Most divers you meet in Cozumel have visited several times, once you experience the island and its reefs, chances are that you will return again and again. Nearly all of the attributes of Cozumel's underwater terrain are the result of the Yucatan Current. Between the island and the mainland the current sometimes moves at speeds of more than 3 knots. The result is crisp visibility and a constant nutrient flow for corals and fish. Underwater visibility in Cozumel almost always ranges from 100 to 200 feet and the marine life is abundant and occasionally spectacular. New divers will find every underwater attraction the Caribbean has to offer beneath Cozumel's seas. There are shallow patch reefs and walls that begin in 30 feet of water. Expect currents along the reef, but once the proper drift-diving technique is mastered, it's an exhilarating experience. The drop-off that stretches for more than 20 miles along the island's west coast is lined with high-profile coral formations that reach mammoth proportions. Divers drift along the wall like puppets on a string against a background of blue velvet. Inside the drop-off is a series of striated reefs with nugget-shaped corals, some just a short swim away from shore. Many of the beachside hotels provide well-designed exits and entries from the beach or ironshore. More than 30 named dive sites are located from just north of San Miguel to the southern tip of the island. Most of these sites are within the protected boundaries of a marine park. Over the reef and under ledges are schools of grunts and snappers. Platter-sized angelfish swim in pairs. Huge green morays, spotted morays and the indigenous splendid toadfish hide in recesses. Topside, Cozumel's east coast has deserted beaches to explore. There are also a number of small but interesting Maya sites to ponder. That is, if you can stand being out of the water that long.