A non-stop current that swabs the island from south to north giving Cozumel its reputation for true 100-foot viz and perpetual drift diving. Fed by a uninterrupted current bringing a balanced supply of food to the reefs, some sponges, such as the Elephant Ear sponge, can grow as large as 12 feet across. Other sponges, like the Barrel sponge, gain significant size as well. Drifting along the wall, it is not uncommon to spot larger pelagics which seem to love the unpredictable currents that converge in this area.
We ended up just floating over the reef, admiring the plethora of fish life. At the end of this reef the current always pushes you toward the wall, so do not be surprised when you see your divemaster swimming toward the island close to the end of the dive.
It is also the meeting place of three major ocean currents. This brings an abundant variety of marine life to the area. The wall undulates from 70 to 90 feet with breath taking drop offs and very swift currents that can push you down or up. Lots of virgin (almost) territory where you will not hear the familiar tank banging noise from others, but you will hear yourself breathing hard.
There are currents but the divemaster is always with you and the boat follows your bubbles, while you are carried along for the ride. It’s a very pleasant way to dive and it’s a bit like sitting back and watching television. The whale shark prefers waters of warm surface temperature with a cold undercurrent - conditions that favor blooms of miniscule plankton on which the sharks love to feed. These precise conditions are found summer after summer in the Yum Balam ecological reserve off Holbox Island. Didn’t encounter any unusual currents or see any jelly fish. Did have a great experience with a turtle.
Their boats are well maintained and the dive masters are experienced. You could go out in the morning for a 2 tank dive, in the afternoon for a 1 tank dive, they offered night diving and shore diving right at the resort was an option. There is also the Cave of the Sleeping Sharks near Isla Mujeres where divers can sometimes “pet” the sharks. And nearby Isla Mujeres is one of the most scenic place in the area for diving & snorkeling. Beautiful dive with many large caverns. Site is formed by a strip reef about 25 m (8 ft) wide and very long.
While at the Cozumel Palace guests can snorkel or dive any of the island’s more than 25 reef formations that together create an incredible underwater world. A midst the crystal-blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, guests will encounter an endless variety of marine life that includes stingrays, sharks, dolphins, eels, lobster, conch, and butterfly fish, to name just a few. This trip includes 7 nights at Hotel Cozumel, 4 days of 2 tank boat dives with Scuba Caribe, 1 day diving in the Ceynotes on the mainland and a Whale Shark snorkeling experience of a lifetime. The whale shark excursion is a day long trip to Holbox with Dove6 where we will spend a day snorkeling with whale sharks and on the reef and have a catered lunch. There are unconfirmed reports of sharks lying still, upside down on the surface to allow divers to scrape parasites and other organisms from their bellies. Divers and snorkelers can swim with this giant fish without any risk apart from unintentionally being struck by the shark’s large tail fin.
