AN UNDERWORLD PARADISE

AN UNDERWORLD PARADISE

The amazing reefs of Cozumel

Chankanaab Reef, Shallow, Balones, Caves

This is a shallow platform reef with mild currents and small coral heads. Here you will discover the Chankanaab Lagoon, a natural aquarium. This name in Maya means “Small Sea”, considered one of the most exceptional eco-systems in the world. Visitors can practice completely safe free diving – without a tank – or sports diving. A long continuous band of colorful coral reef filled with cracks and crevices and holes which attract all sorts of marine life like stonefish, scorpion fish, splendid toadfish and lots of trigger and tang fish. Near and under the coral heads you can find Spiny lobster, crabs, Spotted Moray eels, Grunts, and sometimes Lion Fish. Generally the current will run from North to South and the visibility is not as good as other dive sites because of the flow of the cool fresh water from the Chakanaab lagoon.

San Francisco Reef Shallow/ Wall

This a quarter mile long ridge of coral running parallel to the shore, broken into three sections, separated by about 60 yards of sand. This is usually a second dive. This is an especially colorful reef where red, yellow, pink and orange sponges abound. The best dive sights at depths ranging between 25 to 60 feet. A sandy slope leads to a segrass plain where you may find turtles, giant Parrotfish, French Angelfish, Black Groupers, green moray eels, nurse sharks and in some season eagle rays. This is an exciting place to see with pristine sponges, and brain corals. You can go as deep as you want.

Palancar Reef Gardens / Horseshoe / Caves / Bricks

The reef is more than three miles long (5km) and about one mile (1.5km) offshore and is one of the most beautiful reefs in the world. The coral formations are very colorful and have literally hundreds of species of coral jammed together with lavender and orange sponges interspersed, as well as sea fans and a wide variety of marine life. With typically mild currents and great visibility this reef is excellent first dive for those not yet confident in their dive skills.

Palancar Horseshoe gets its name from the shape of its large, natural u-shaped amphitheater, which can be seen from the surface. The corals form tall towers, deep buttresses, gullies and canyons. With these unique diving conditions each dive is an interesting experience. A spectacular dive site to catch some mesmerizing sights and capture some photos, since currents are usually slow running and visibility stays around 200’ minimum.

More information in the best Cozumel dive guide http://www.arduinna.com.mx/pdf/czm_en.pdf