Cozumel, Mexico, a Diver's Paradise

Lured by majestic coral reefs and crystal clear waters teeming with marine life, divers from around the globe come to Cozumel for its underwater paradise. Even though the island has only 80,000 residents, it is such a popular diving destination that state-of-the-art Cozumel Hyperbaric Chamber and Clinic was built to serve the needs of commercial and recreational SCUBA divers suffering from Decompression Sickness (DCS) and Arterial Gas Embolism (AGE). As of this posting in you can contact the facility and request a tour by telephone at +52 (987) 872 1430.

The island's largest city, San Miguel de Cozumel, was a sleepy town in the 1950s when post WWII travelers began spreading the word about its diving opportunities. Since that time Cozumel has capitalized on its natural assets to grow its tourism-based economy. Especially popular with cruise lines offering Caribbean itineraries, the island is an ideal port of call that passengers like for value, choice of activities and hospitality.

On a cruise I took with travel mate, Diane, she carefully planned and selected the trip so she could scuba dive in Cozumel as a birthday treat to herself. We flew cross-country from Southern California to Florida for this budget-priced, luxury vacation which also visited Costa Maya, Belize and Grand Cayman Island.

Cozumel is a small island 29 miles long and 12 miles wide just off the coast of Mexico, due east of Playa Del Carmen, southeast of Cancun and northeast of Costa Maya—all in Mexico's state of Quintana Roo. Ferries shuttle passengers all day between Cozumel and mainland Playa del Carmen with a ride lasting between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on your choice of high-speed or regular service. 

I decided to spend my day exploring Cozumel's beautiful beaches and sparsely populated countryside where the Caribbean Sea is easily within reach of Quintana Roo C-1, the well paved coastal highway. Located near the second largest reef in the world, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System - Belize Barrier Reef, Cozumel is a flat island made of limestone rock that comes from the reefs. The island has many soft, sand beaches where modest admission fees are often charged at these "beach clubs" for use of their shade umbrellas & chairs, restaurants and restroom facilities, as well as live music seasonally. Rock formations along many beaches provide excellent tidepooling, but there's also snorkeling, swimming and surfing where permitted.

Two thousand miles from the West Coast of the United States, this gorgeous Mexican island has waters so beautiful and aquamarine-blue that you think you're dreaming. (The Pacific Ocean off most the California coast with its dark blue to green, or even brown appearance surprises and sometimes disappoints tourists visiting California's famous beaches.)

In downtown San Miguel de Cozumel where huge cruise ships float offshore in the crystal waters, popular Coral Reefs Monument is one of the island's most photographed icons. It showcases the spectacular ocean viewed as a backdrop through a bronze sculpture of two divers entwined in ocean plants, arching over fountains that are lit at night with bright colors. 

Shopping and Fun Activities in Cozumel, Mexico...>>