Airplane Flats

This has been one of our favorite shore dives on Cozumel. We have seen just about everything here that you see on a deep/boat dive. We've seen seahorses, scorpionfish, spotted eagle ray, squid, puffers, southern sting rays, eels [spotted/green & goldentail], a turtle, Flamingo Tongue snails, spotted drumfish, you name it! Just not any Nurse sharks, yet! Our last trip to Coz. Was Feb. 2006, and we did not get to dive this area at all. Shore diving wasn't allowed due to the repair/reconstruction of the long International pier, and tendering in of cruise ship passengers. We were told by the 'Dive with Martin' staff that WILMA had moved/washed the plane out and lodged it under the long pier. Martin & Orlando used a boat & buoys to lift it and move it back closer to shore! :^) Don't know if it's back exactly where it was before WILMA, but it's supposed to be there somewhere. Can't wait to go back and dive it again!! Just don't know WHEN shore diving there will be allowed again? This year? Next year?? I hope it's soon!!

Snorkeled here 5/21/05. Immediately in front of El Cid La Cieba. Easy entry/exit at steps in front of hotel or beach a few yards south. Vis 50-60ft in late afternoon. Would be much better in direct sunlight. The coral heads are sparse with a lot of wear and tear, but there's still interesting things to see if you get close. Saw brain coral, pillar coral, seafans, sponges, snails, yellow stingrays, French Angelfish, triggerfish, conch, sergeant majors... the usual. The airplane was not particularly interesting. Not up to par with other Coz reefs but good if you are staying nearby and want to spend a relaxing time in the water. No clue how Hurricane Emily may have affected things.

Dead reef. Scrap metha with bugs under it. No take zone. No chance I will be back.