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Cozumel's magnificent reef formations and
exceptionally clear waters have contributed to make this
island on the Mexican Caribbean one of the most popular
diving destinations in the world.
After renowned oceanographer Jacques Cousteau
revealed Cozumel's underwater beauty to the rest of the
world in a 1961 documentary, Cozumel has consistently been
listed as a top spot among diver's favorite destinations.
What the world saw through the late Cousteau's camera lenses
was an underwater fairyland of swaying coral gardens, waves
of countless tropical fish, steep walls that fall deep to
the ocean floor, sunken galleons and tunnels that travel
well inside the island's underwater foundations. With a
visibility of up to 200 feet, 20 miles of coral reef, and
water so translucent that divers seem to fly instead of
swim, it’s not surprising that Cozumel attracts more than
80,000 divers a year.
To further accommodate these Watersport
enthusiasts, most of the islands first-rate hotels offer
diving facilities. In addition, the majority of these
lodgings are located on the beach, near any of the three
massive reef systems that come close to shore Santa Rosa,
Colombia and Palancar. The depth along these fabulous
underwater locations range from 50 to 120 feet. For more
experienced divers, however, there are the spectacular coral
covered tunnels of Maracaibo, circling the southern tip of
the island. These reefs descend to depths of 130 feet or
more along its walls. Shallows at 70 to 80 feet, which
stretch along a half mile in this amazing underwater
landscape, allow divers to sometimes swim alongside large
schools of grouper and yellow jack.
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One additional benefit are the water currents
that constantly flow from south to north, which allows
divers to drift with the current while exploring a site.
Most of Cozumel's diving sites are located within the
Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park, a protected underwater
environment, whose authority has implemented a conservation
program funded by $2 fee donations by divers. |
 Cancún
Cancún
Cancún geo
Town and beaches
Arrival and transportation
Restaurants
Entertainment and nightlife
Bars and nightclubs
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Moving from Cancun
Ferry
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Cozumel
Cozumel
Getting there
Airlines and airports
Geo and brief history
Getting there from Cancun
Diving
Chankanaab Park
Museum of the Island of Cozumel
Isla Mujeres
Brief history
Exploring Isla Mujeres
Places to visit
Contoy Island
Sleeping sharks
Biking
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