Name: Columbia Reef
Rating: 4.5

Quintana Roo

Mexico

This is a great dive for photographers wanting maximum bottom time. Good second dive also.

Just N of Punta Sur (S of Cozumel Island).

Columbia Reef is also known as Columbia Pinnacles, Columbia Shallow.

El Cedral

Columbia Reef



Southern side

Columbia Deep is also known as Columbia Wall.

Columbia Deep

Palancar Bricks is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Yucatan, Cozumel Isalnd which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Palancar Bricks

Palancar Caves is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Yucatan, Cozumel Isalnd which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Palancar Caves

Palancar Horseshoe is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Mexico, Yucatan, Cozumel Isalnd which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Palancar Horseshoe

Considered one of the best dive sites in Cozumel, Punta Sur is characterized by an impressive deep wall on the southern end of the island, reaching down to 165ft/ 50m. Remarkable swim-troughs will take you down to the Devil's Throat, a narrow tunnel lined with red sponges, located inside this area's largest coral mound. Once you enter a large cave that leads to a smaller cavern, the narrow opening of the “throat” becomes visible. The swim through lasts a few seconds only, but creates unforgettable memories!  Once outside, numerous other exciting tunnels take you through a labyrinth of corals until you ascend over a sandy slope up to 30ft/ 10m depth, accompanied by sting rays, turtles, nurse sharks and eagle rays. There is a cave named "The Cathedral" with large sponges. Due to narrow penetrations and depth, this dive is recommended for very advanced divers only, since it can be dangerous if lacking excellent buoyancy and air consumption. 

Punta Sur is located at Punta Sur ! (Extreme S of Cozumel island)

Punta Sur

The Devil's Throat at Punta Sur is an underwater cave formation located offshore of Cozumel that starts at approximately 80 feet of depth and opens up at approximately 135 feet - right at the edge of recreational dive limits.

The Devil's Throat is considered a "must dive" experience by scuba divers visiting Cozumel. Yet, due to the depth and the fact that it is a cave, it is considered an advanced dive. A longer than standard Safety Stop, or stops, is heavily recommended to minimize risk of decompression sickness. A dive computer is recommended for additional safety.

Diving the Devil's Throat requires use of an underwater light, and it is recommended that divers not scissor kick because it stirs up sediment which heavily obscures visibility.

Source: Wikipedia.org

Extreme southern portion of the island

Punta Sur - Devil's Throat

This is an amazing dive site.  It became globally famous after Jacques Ives Cousteau dived the reef.  It features many huge coral columns.  Lots of fish are visible on this dive and the water clarity is fantastic.

The outer of the reef wall south of the Horseshoe and Palancar caves.

Palancar Deep is also known as Palancar reef.

Palancar Deep

This dive consists of beautiful coral garden with chutes leading off into the deep.  The normal path usually goes no deeper than 70 feet, though it is possible to drop further off the wall.

Major features include an arch at 70 feet, large brain coral at approximately 55 feet, and channels running throughout the reef structure.

Due to the low current, this is a good spot to relax, photograph, and learn navigation.

Turtles and Nurse sharks have been spotted on the reef, along with large groupers, French, Gray, and Queen Angelfish.

This site is easily accessed by boat with a short drop to a sandy patch around 20 feet.

Columbia Reef

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving at Columbia Reef