| Ever since famous oceanographer and | | | | Cozumel's diving sites are located |
| filmmaker Jacques Cousteau revealed | | | | within the Cozumel Reefs National Marine |
| Cozumel's underwater beauty to the rest | | | | Park, a protected underwater |
| of the world in a 1961 documentary, | | | | environment, where the Mexican |
| Cozumel, Cancun and the Riviera Maya | | | | government has implemented a |
| region have consistently ranked among | | | | conservation program to keep the reefs |
| the diving community's favorite | | | | in a pristine state, funded by a daily |
| destinations. What the world saw through | | | | $2 fee from divers. To accommodate the |
| the late Cousteau's camera lenses was a | | | | diving and snorkeling enthusiasts, many |
| natural aquarium beyond compare, with | | | | of the area's top hotels offer diving |
| swaying coral gardens, waves of colorful | | | | facilities, equipment rental and their |
| tropical fish, steep walls that fall | | | | own docks. Many hotels offer SCUBA |
| deep into the ocean floor, sunken | | | | lessons for beginners, and dive |
| galleons and tunnels that seem to go on | | | | certification is available from most |
| forever. With a visibility of up to 200 | | | | dive operators. These operators offer |
| feet, miles of coral reefs, and water so | | | | certification through the Professional |
| clear that scuba divers seem to fly | | | | Association of Diving Instructors |
| instead of swim, Cozumel and the Riviera | | | | (PADI), a leading certification |
| Maya region attract thousands of divers | | | | organization. Many hotels have diving |
| per year. | | | | tours that will take divers out twice a |
| Cozumel is the region's most popular | | | | day, with a lunch provided by the hotel |
| scuba diving area, due to the 20 miles | | | | in between dives. Most dive trips start |
| of unspoiled, protected reefs just | | | | out at less than $50, and include the |
| offshore. Divers in Cozumel use the | | | | equipment rental. |
| technique of drift diving, which allows | | | | The El Cid La Cieba is a hotel that |
| divers to drift with the current while | | | | caters to the diving community, with a |
| exploring a site, the most famous of | | | | private dock and a dive shop on the |
| which is Palancar Reef - with its vast | | | | property. The Occidental Grand, and its |
| series of caverns and canyons, its | | | | sister hotel, the Occidental Allegro |
| marine life and sea coral. The mammoth | | | | also have docks and a full dive shop. |
| Santa Rosa Wall is also a favorite dive | | | | There are dozens of boats and dive |
| spot. The slow 2-3 knot current carries | | | | masters to choose from, as well as over |
| divers along on an underwater adventure, | | | | 50 dive shops on Cozumel alone. Many |
| while the dive boat follows along on the | | | | diving tours are also available from |
| surface. | | | | Cancun, located just 30 miles from |
| Depths along these fabulous underwater | | | | Cozumel. Cancun offers superb |
| locations range from 50 to 120 feet and | | | | snorkeling, as well as diving |
| even deeper. Shallow water formations at | | | | opportunities, with its calm, clear |
| 70 to 80 feet , which stretch along a | | | | water and a myriad of sea life waiting |
| half mile in this amazing underwater | | | | to be discovered by the adventurous |
| landscape, allow divers to sometimes | | | | visitor. |
| swim alongside large schools of grouper | | | | Cozumel and the entire Riviera Maya's |
| and yellow jack. More experienced divers | | | | spectacular reef formations and |
| will want to explore the spectacular | | | | exceptionally clear waters have |
| coral-covered tunnels of Maracaibo Reef, | | | | contributed to make this paradise on the |
| circling the southern tip of the island. | | | | Mexican Caribbean one of the most |
| Maracaibo descends to depths of 130 feet | | | | popular underwater destinations in the |
| or more along its walls. Most of | | | | world. |