Walls that drop into the blue, swim-throughs in the coral and a current that does the swimming for you. Out from Playa del Carmen by speed boat, back on the beach around 1 pm.
Cozumel was the most important sanctuary of Ixchel in the Maya world. Its Maya name, Cuzamil, means "land of the swallows". Women crossed the channel at least once in their lives to seek the goddess's blessing for fertility and safe childbirth, and the ruins of San Gervasio still stand among the trees.
Underwater, the island is world famous. Cozumel sits directly on the Palancar section of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Palancar Reef runs about 5.6 km along the island's south-west shore, dropping from roughly 15 to 35 metres, with visibility that can reach 40 metres or more.
The current does the work. These are drift dives — you enter, the current carries you along the wall, and the boat follows your bubbles. It is the most effortless, most cinematic diving in the Caribbean, and it is consistently ranked among the top five dive destinations on Earth.
The easy way there. No ferry, no lost day. You leave from the beach in Playa del Carmen on a speed boat, cross in about 35 minutes, make one deeper dive and one shallower one with snacks and a proper surface interval in between, and you are back in Playa around one in the afternoon with the rest of the day still yours. That is why it is a Selvana Signature.
Yes. This is a dive for certified divers, and Advanced Open Water is strongly recommended because Cozumel is a drift dive. Never dived before? Our Discover Scuba is a first dive on Playa del Carmen's reef, with an instructor at arm's reach.
You enter the water and the current carries you gently along the reef while the boat follows your bubbles. It is relaxed and takes very little effort — it is what Cozumel is famous for.
About 8:30 am to 1 pm. The speed boat crosses from Playa del Carmen in about 35 minutes, so you are back for lunch with the afternoon free.
Exceptional. Thirty metres is routine and forty is common. It is a large part of why Cozumel is world famous.
Never within 18–24 hours of a flight. Also avoid diving with congestion, and disclose any heart, lung or ear conditions on the medical form.
Cozumel dives well all year. May to September usually brings the calmest seas; we'll be honest about the conditions for your dates.
Most include hotel pickup, and every booking comes with 24/7 support from our team.
Tell us your dates and your certification, and we'll confirm your place on the boat.