Best Snorkel Spots in Cozumel
Cozumel is one of the best places in the world to dive & snorkel. It’s a water-lover’s paradise. Famous oceanographer Jacques Cousteau declared it “one of the most beautiful scuba diving areas in the world.” The water is clear & fifty shades of turquoise, with visibility up to 200 feet. You can also learn to scuba dive in Cozumel…there are tons of instructors & dive shops. Or, if that doesn’t sound appealing, take a Cozumel snorkel tour or simply grab some gear & jump in! This post covers the best snorkel spots in Cozumel, that I discovered after a month spent on the island.
***Author’s Note: Please note that the currents in Cozumel can be very strong ~ & it’s HIGHLY advisable that you bring fins for your snorkeling adventure. Currents can change in a moment, & you ALWAYS want to be able to safely swim back to shore. If you have kids with you, rent a life vest & use a brightly-colored surface marker buoy.
Article updated in December 2023.
Map of Cozumel Snorkel Spots
The map gives an overview of the best snorkel spots in Cozumel. If you’d prefer to stay in a hotel with snorkeling on-site, try Hotel Cozumel ($140+), the Cozumel Palace All-Inclusive Resort ($274+), or the Coral Princess Hotel & Dive Resort ($94+).
They all offer snorkeling right on-property, & Cozumel Palace is actually located right by the Palancar Reef!
Villablanca Hotel
Secrets Cozumel
Cozumel Palace
The Money Bar
El Cielo
Palancar
Hotel Cozumel
Columbia Reef
Where to Snorkel in Cozumel
Discovered by Cousteau, Cozumel boasts the second largest coral reef in the world: the great Meso-American Barrier Reef. Along with this comes near-perfect diving conditions ~ with sea turtles, sharks, manta rays, starfish (especially at El Cielo), & all kinds of marine life.
Here’s the general rule of thumb for finding the best snorkel spots in Cozumel: if it’s a white, sandy beach ~ the snorkeling won’t be good. If it’s a rocky, dark shore ~ chances are, it will be great for snorkeling. If your feet are sensitive (or you’ve got kids), bring waterproof booties for easier walking along these rocky shores.
White, sandy beach = BAD for snorkeling!
Dark, rocky beach = GREAT for snorkeling!
Also, please note: DON’T swim, snorkel, or dive on the EAST side of the island!! Though it’s beautiful & wild, the current on the east side is extremely strong & can have very dangerous rip tides. And visibility is NOT good, as the ocean is so rough. Check it out over there ~ but plan to bike or walk along the ocean path…NOT swim!
Cozumel Guides & Gear
Best Snorkel Spots in Cozumel
The Cozumel snorkel spots listed below are ranked in order of popularity. Meaning El Cielo, ranked at #1, is the most highly recommended snorkel spot by locals.
1) El Cielo
El Cielo means “heaven” in Spanish. And if you love starfish, sting rays, & insanely turquoise waters, then this will be heaven for you! El Cielo is only accessible by boat, & is located about a mile off Cozumel’s shoreline. So, unless you know someone with a boat ~ you’ll need to take a tour there, which costs around $45 (I paid $42). Most tours leave from Cozumel’s main dock, right in San Miguel. Take a glass-bottom boat or speedboat, & the ride takes about an hour (bring a jacket, it gets cold)! The water at El Cielo is about waist-deep ~ perfect for kids or novice snorkelers!
Bottom Line: If you want to see starfish & sting rays, GO to El Cielo! Also good for kids & beginners. Cost: $40-45
Closest Hotel to El Cielo: Occidental Cozumel All-Inclusive Resort
The Money Bar is a local’s favorite restaurant & bar, set right on the beach, about 10-minutes south of town (via taxi). This is a great place to spend the day: you can get drinks, lunch, & snorkel ~ all in one afternoon! There are tons of tables, a large bar, & chaise lounges set on the waterfront. Access for snorkeling is via a ramp or ladder into the ocean. You’re likely to see schools of tropical fish here, manta rays, & sea turtles. But the best thing is: there’s no “minimum” food purchase here, unlike other waterfront spots (with most charging $49). So, for the cost of a $10 drink, you can enjoy snorkeling at the Money Bar, making it one of the most cost-effective snorkel spots.
Bottom Line: If you want to drink, dance, eat, & snorkel ~ head to the Money Bar. Good for adults & kids. Cost: $10+

The Money Bar is more than just a restaurant: you can also lay out, swim, & snorkel here on their sprawling beachfront property.
Closest Hotel to Money Bar: Landmark Resort of Cozumel (literally across the street)
3) Palancar & Columbia Reefs
Palancar & Columbia are two of the most famous reefs in Cozumel. They’re both located on the south end of the island (about 45 minutes from San Miguel), & are best accessed by boat. It’s totally do-able to hit El Cielo, Palancar, & Columbia all in one day. Columbia Reef is a great place to look for sharks & spotted eagle manta rays.
Palancar is great for snorkeling OR diving, & it’s a fantastic place to free-dive. Palancar features caves, ledges, & massive reef drop-offs. You’ll also find a huge diversity of animals, including turtles (we saw two), exotic fish, eels, sharks, & even barracudas! I personally found Palancar more exciting & diverse than El Cielo, & highly recommend seeing both on the same tour.
Bottom Line: Two of the best reefs on the island; better for advanced swimmers & divers. Cost: $45 (if on boat tour)
Closest Hotel to Palancar: Allegro All-Inclusive Resort Cozumel
Best Snorkel Spots in Cozumel
4) Hotel Cozumel & Resort Beach Club
For great snorkeling right in town ~ head to Hotel Cozumel & Resort. We spent many great afternoons here, & it’s also a phenomenal place to watch the sunset. They’ve got a good lunch buffet for around $15, & a wide oceanfront with lounge chairs, hammocks, lockers for divers, & GREAT snorkeling!! You’ll enter the water here via a ladder on their dock (easy in & out). As soon as you dip in, about 20 yards away is an underwater Chichen Itza! No one told us about it, & it took our breath away. Beyond that, follow the shoreline to the left for spectacular snorkeling.

Snorkel & watch the sunset at local Cozumel hangout Jeannie’s…
Another Great Walk-able Snorkel Spot in Cozumel = Jeannie’s (pictured above). This mediocre restaurant has tables overlooking the ocean, but if you walk down the right side of the restaurant, you’ll find a great, sandy beach with phenomenal ocean views. Snorkel here for the price of a drink! And their sunset views are phenomenal….
5) North of the Cozumel Museum on the Ocean Side
Find Cozumel’s museum ~ Museo de Cozumel. Keep walking north towards the airport, along the ocean side. You’ll start to see several restaurants with palapa roofs; some have rocky shores with great secret snorkel spots. The best I found was north of all the restaurants, on a large rocky shore. I saw several people snorkeling there, so I locked up my bike & ventured out. It ended up being one of my favorite snorkel experiences in Cozumel, & was totally FREE. There were great reefs here with tons of fish, & further out, a wild, vast kelp forest. It was breathtaking.
Bottom Line: If you dislike masses of cruise ship tourists & prefer independent adventures, head north of town & look for rocky shores. Cost: FREE!!
Honorable Mentions…
Sky Reef Cozumel is a popular place to snorkel (especially for cruise shippers) ~ & it’s about 25 minutes south of town. You can tequila taste or enjoy a massage on the beach here. Similar to the Money Bar, you’re expected to buy food or drink in exchange for accessing their snorkeling area.

My hot pink ride outside of the Sky Reef in Cozumel. When I visited, there was a $49 entrance fee ~ but folks now say it’s more like $18.
Not So Honorable Mentions…
Another popular place to snorkel in Cozumel is the Disneyland-esque Chankanaab Reef. It’s also popular with cruise ship tourists ~ but less with locals. They’ve turned it into a mini-Sea World, with hefty entrance fees, dolphin shows, & an opportunity to swim with dolphins. Any place that keeps dolphins in confinement as “entertainment” for humans, unfortunately, is no place I can personally recommend. It’s also why I’m not a fan of Dolphinaris in Cozumel, which keeps dolphins confined in small pools while charging tourists $300+ for photos with them. Save your money & spend it elsewhere.
***For more reasons why NOT to swim with dolphins in Mexico, read this article.
Where to Snorkel in Cozumel
I hope this guide has helped you find some of the best places to snorkel in Cozumel! Don’t forget to bring your best underwater cam to capture your adventures, as well as fins to keep you safe in any strong currents.
xoxo Noelia
Read Next: Best Breakfast Spots in Cozumel
Thank you visited Cozumel on your advice went to Cozumel beach resort had a great day value for money 11 dollar buffet brilliant
Craig…right??! It’s a (somewhat) hidden gem! I went there at least 5X in a month’s stay. Glad to help ~ & yes, even their buffet was awesome! xoxo Noelia
Hey Henry! You know, diving’s the only thing I’ve done that absolutely TERRified me! Not sure why. I felt super claustrophobic. But possibly if I return to Cozumel, I’ll get brave & try it! Ha thank you for offering : ) xoxo Noelia
I’m VERY interested in eating the buffet and snorkeling here. I will be there via cruise and will only have one day. i wrote to Who i think is the same resort to double check, and I was disappointed to be told of a $49 “day pass” to be allowed to snorkel from the dock and eat buffet. Can I ask you guys exactly how you got to swim for free? Help!!
Hi Deb! Thanks for giving me an update of the situation at Hotel Cozumel. I was in Cozumel two years ago, so their policy may have changed by now. But I have a few thoughts: you could still just go & enjoy lunch & a drink there, & scope out the situation ~ & see if you can grab one of their beach chairs out by the dock, or if someone is in fact “policing” the area : ) Also, there are several other spots on this list, like the Money Bar & Jeannie’s (both close to Hotel Cozumel), where you can enjoy snorkeling for the price of a drink. Or grab a bike, head north of the museum (near airport), & simply head in the water wherever you find a black-rocky beach. You’ve got lots of options! Let me know what happens at Hotel Cozumel, & good luck! xoxo Noelia
We took your advice and rode our bikes north of the museum, past the restaurants with palapa-looking roofs, and found a great snorkeling spot with lots of black rocks out front. That was our favorite snorkeling experience of the trip, and shockingly it was FREE! Thanks a lot for the article.
Yay!! Glad to hear that, Mark. The nice thing about the free places is too: far less people/tourists : ) Cheers to a great Cozumel trip! xoxo Noelia
I don’t understand the “fees” to be able to snorkel at certain places. The beaches in Cozumel are government owned, therefore, businesses are not allowed to charge for use of the beach.
Are the fees you are describing just for equipment rentals and use of the facilities (aka- beach chairs, restrooms, etc)??
Hi Emily! Thanks for your question. There aren’t many actual beaches in Cozumel, & most of the “prime” snorkeling/beachfront is attached to either a hotel or restaurant. So, can you just walk into a restaurant (like the Money Bar) & go snorkeling, without buying any food or drink? I suppose you could, but personally I wouldn’t feel right using an establishment’s beach without at least buying a drink. And yes, some of the places with larger “fees” (like Sky Reef) include equipment rentals. The area north of the museum is the only spot on this list where I didn’t pay anything in order to snorkel ~ there just aren’t very many beaches like this in Cozumel. Hope that helps clarify!
Excellent article! My wife & I touched down in Cozumel on one of the (many) cruise ships, and though they had recommended that we visit Dolphinaris, after reading your article we just didn’t feel good about it. She really wanted to snorkel, and we found that Hotel Cozumel was an easy walk from where we docked. And we found the underwater pyramid you were talking about! Great stuff. I’m new to blogs, but yours seems like a good one. Thanks for the tips! Phil & Linda
So glad to hear all of that, Phil! I’m glad you guys enjoyed Cozumel…especially finding the underwater pyramid! xoxo Noelia
Glad to find your blog. Good tips and info! My husband and I will be on a cruise stop in Cozumel and were planning on renting a moped and riding around the island. We’ll have a backpack with our snorkel gear, but wanted to know if there are any places you’d recommend that are good for not-very-strong swimmers that would have a locker to store our backpack while we’re in the water, You mentioned the Hotel Cozumel and Resort, but it was recommended for strong swimmers. We’ll have inflatable life vests, too, so not sure if that helps with the “strong swimmer” recommendation. We’d prefer just to find those snorkel spots as we ride around, yet are concerned with our belongings since we won’t have a car to lock them up in. Well, the backpack isn’t valuable, but wouldn’t want to lose it since it’ll have our towels in it! Thanks!
Hi Joyce! Thanks for your comment. I’ve got a few thoughts here: 1) Hotel Cozumel is the only spot where I actually saw lockers for rent, & I thought the water around there was generally quite calm (i.e. ideal for moderate to strong swimmers). With inflatable vests, you should be more than fine. 2) If you’re going to rent a moped, you could opt to just go with a tour that rents mopeds/jeeps, & then there would be a guide to watch your stuff while you snorkel, & 3) Cozumel is one of the safest places I’ve ever been, & I HIGHLY doubt anyone would steal a bag that only had towels in it ~ so really, I think you’ll be just fine! When I found a free spot to snorkel, near the airport, I just left my stuff on some rocks near the snorkel entrance & snorkeled for at least an hour, & everything was fine! Hope that helps/gives you some ideas! xoxo Noelia
We are staying at Hotel Cozumel right now. 2 days ago took a boat to Columbia, Palancar and El Cielo. Waisted $56 us on 1 person. Only El Cielo was great, but time spent there was too short. Columbia and Palancar were rushed. We supposed to follow the guide, and it took away our attention to watch for him and where he was going. Not much to enjoy the snofkeling itself. The tour was with Manta Sport. Total time 3 hr 40 min, 40 min one way. At the end we stayed some shallow place to have a drink and snack. Not worth it. If you are from cruise – go to Hotel Cozumel and spend a day there instead of a boat tour. It it ax good as was described in this blog. We snorkel few times a day and see new fish each time. It is great!
Hi Lana! Thanks for taking the time to write your feedback. I agree ~ on my tour, the time spent at El Cielo was very short. More time was spent at Palancar (which I loved), but yes, you do need to “follow” your guide, which can get annoying! To snorkel as long as you want, Hotel Cozumel was one of my favorites for sure! Did you guys find the underwater pyramid?? Enjoy your trip! xoxo Noelia
Thanks for all the insight! Question on this spot you mentioned north of museum towards airport. Just start walking from the museum along shore? If had time for one snorkeling spot – do this or Hotel cozumel? Taxis take you to both?
Hey Lacey! If you’re staying in town, you could easily walk to the spot north of the museum. Hotel Cozumel is about a 30-minute walk ~ so if that’s too much, def taxi it. And yes, just walk along shore north of the museum; several palapa-type restaurants also offer snorkeling along their shoreline, or keep walking north & look for a ton of black rocks along the shore. Hard to miss. This is a great free spot to snorkel! Good luck & lmk how it goes! xoxo Noelia
And if you just have time for one….I’d probably say do Hotel Cozumel. You know you’ll be able to find it, the food & drinks are good, & you’ll get to see an underwater Chichen Itza : )
My wife & I came across your site when we looked up snorkeling in Cozumel, & after reading a few articles on the subject, we just wanted to reach out & say that yours was by far the most helpful – especially in giving a wide range of options for all budgets. We also got a laugh, because in talking to a group of travelers on our cruise ship, some of them had also read your article! Thought we should let you know, & your website is book-marked for our future excursions. Thanks! Mike
Mike! Thanks so much for taking the time to write ~ your comment makes my day! You know, I wrote this article because, when I initially went to Cozumel, I couldn’t find a good, comprehensive list of places to snorkel there. And since snorkeling is one of the most popular things to do there, I knew I had to fill that niche! Thanks again for reaching out : ) xoxo Noelia
Great blog, Noelle! I’ll be in Cozumel in a couple weeks for a day, off a cruise. Planning on getting a bicycle and doing the Hotel Cozumel. Was wondering if there are any boat excursions available near the Columbia and Palancar sites that you would recommend? I have heard that Playa Palancar does them, but would like to get your take.
Thanks,
Bill
Hi Bill! Renting a bike & heading to Hotel Cozumel should make for a great day! When I snorkeled Palancar, I took a boat tour from the main ferry dock (not Playa Palancar) ~ so I can only speak to that. I enjoyed the day, but prefer not to have a time limit on my snorkeling…so I enjoyed snorkeling at the Money Bar & Hotel Cozumel more than the tour. Keep in mind that Playa Palancar is about a 30-minute taxi ride from town, so you would need to arrange that if your tour starts from there. If I were you, I’d go with your bike rental plan & check out Hotel Cozumel & the Money Bar, grab lunch/drinks, & just make a day of it! Then you can go at your own pace. Whatever you choose, have a great trip! xoxo Noelia
THANK YOU for the insight! We did a boat snorkel trip from downtown and then when dropped off walked north towards airport. Directly across is boat ramp and the palapa huts. It was better snorkeling than what we saw on the reef! Heading to Cartagena soon – about to read your tips for there!
Awesome, Lacey! I’m so happy to hear that ~ I LOVED the snorkeling north of town. Jealous you’re headed to Cartagena…it’s such a fun, vibrant spot! Definitely go salsa dancing & grab a drink at Cafe del Mar (in Old Town)! xoxo Noelia
We just got back from a cruise. Told the taxi driver to take us to Hotel Cozumel, but it was across the street from the ocean, so we were confused and he didn’t know of snorkeling there. Instead he took us to Sky Bar. In your blog you mentioned a $49 minimum to get in. The taxi driver told us it was $18. We got there, read the sign, and to rent snorkel equipment, plus have a drink and margarita, I think, it was $18. We all had our own snorkel equipment, so we just walked right in without paying. After snorkeling we bought drinks and food. But, there was no minimum purchase required, from what we could tell. The snorkeling there was OK – I think I’m just used to Hawaii where I see tons of fish. Can’t be a beginner swimmer there with the current, however, they do have the place roped off. We had inflatable life vests, so that gave us some help.
Hi Joyce! Thanks for writing. Hotel Cozumel is located across the street from the ocean, but they have a tunnel that takes you under the road to their restaurant/bar/scuba center, which is indeed on the ocean. It’s also visible right from the road. If Sky Bar has dropped their prices to $18 ~ that’s awesome! Rarely does a venue drop their pricing. Their snorkeling area at Sky Bar didn’t seem too big, so yes ~ not surprising that you didn’t see too much. Hope you had fun in Cozumel though! xoxo
Hi there! Love your blog, super insightful! Question: our family is going to be making a cruise ship stop in Cozumel and we have three young children. Which of these spots would you recommend would be the best/easiest to access for our family? Thank you!
Hi Cynthia! I’ve had many people email similar questions ~ I’d say the easiest choice for a family would be the Money Bar or Hotel Cozumel, with the Money Bar having a larger outdoor area to dine/lay out/enter the water/etc. Since El Cielo & Palancar both require boat trips, I think that’s cutting it a little close ~ & trying to bike or walk to beaches in the north might be too complicated with a large family. Just my thoughts…enjoy your stop in Cozumel! xoxo
I had emailed you privately about suggestions for our family of four to go snorkeling (during our cruise ship break) – and I just wanted you to know that your suggestion of the Money Bar was fantastic! While there were some other cruise shippers there, we felt there was much more local flavor than at Senor Frog’s or Hard Rock, and the snorkeling for our entire family was great! (Plus, Mom and Dad enjoyed at least a few great drinks!) Thanks for your blog and for the email response!
Of course, Gloria! So glad that you guys all enjoyed the Money Bar & your time in Cozumel! xoxo Noelia
Took our kids to Chankanaab and it was definitely Disney-esque: too many people, and not a fan of the dolphins in captivity. We were looking for a quieter experience that would give us more of a “nature” feel, and came across your article online. Great run-down, and we loved finding our own spots north of the museum…that was a great find, with just a handful of other people. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Alan ~ love to hear that! That’s why I run this site : ) Cheers xoxo Noelia
We took your advice and went north of the museum, past the bars with the palapa roofs, and found a great free spot to spend the afternoon snorkeling. We love your blog! Keep writing, Ken & Dana
Thank you guys! Glad you found a great spot, & will do! : ) xoxo
Great blog! Any place for snorkelers to park up N. by the palapa roofs area and at the Hotel Cozumel? Do you know which way the current runs near shore, and if strong at either area? Thanks!
Hey there! Yes, there are many places you could park in the north. It’s much less congested up there, so I’d suggest parking on any of the side streets that lead off the main drag (near Guido’s & the museum, i.e. Calle 6N, 8N, 10N, etc.). Hotel Cozumel has a large parking lot that you should be able to use, especially if you plan to eat there (which I recommend)! When I snorkeled, the current in the north area was not that strong; by Hotel Cozumel, it varied depending on the day, & was moderately strong at times. I’m not sure which way the current runs ~ I think it depends on the wind & weather patterns that day. Hope that helps! xoxo Noelia
Current up north is always running to the north regardless of weather, wind, or other conditions. The strongest current in Cozumel exists in the north. Do not enter the water without fins. Some days they may not be needed, then other days you won’t get back to shore without them.
Thanks for your detailed comment & expertise! But I think we’re talking about two different spots: Playa Azul is wayyyy wayyy north of where I’m talking about, & where I went snorkeling. I snorkeled just north of Guido’s & El Palomar, basically across from the airport ~ & very walk-able from town.
Again, thanks so much for taking the time & care to write such a lengthy comment ~ & for warning people of the potential dangers of snorkeling in Cozumel. I’ll be updating the article to recommend that people WEAR FINS when snorkeling in Cozumel, particularly in the north. Oddly, the strongest currents I experienced were in the Money Bar’s enclosed area ~ but of course, currents are HIGHLY unpredictable, & one person’s experience is certainly not indicative of another’s. Thank you.
If you view Cozumel as a whole on a map, it’s almost shaped like a funnel. The south end is open wide and, in comparison to mainland, it consistently narrows heading north. Coupled with the prevailing ocean currents which ravel south to north, the current gets stronger the further north you go simply because of the restriction (same amount of water, less space). Of course there are a few island-related geographical features which promote or diminish this effect. Punta Tunich, for example, encourages an extra strong flow around its point, while Chankanaab almost certainly has minimal flow due to it being a bay of sorts.
THANK YOU for your comments regarding the dolphins held in small cages. Applaud you for your strength. I vote with my dollars, or pesos, and simply do not patronize any facility that exploits animals.
THANK YOU, Carole, for taking the time to comment! I walked by Dolphinaris every day during my month in Cozumel, & it literally made me sick to my stomach to hear those dolphins. We can only educate people & most definitely VOTE with our dollars & pesos. Thanks for writing : ) xoxo Noelia
You should take part in a contest for one of the greatest blogs on the web.
I will highly recommend this website!
Ha ~ thank you! Glad the article was useful to you : ) xoxo
What about Buccanos/Playa Azul? Is this a good spot to snorkel for a family with kids that are average swimmers or do you recommend the Money Bar?
Hi Joan ~ thanks for your question! I never snorkeled that far north, so I can’t speak to that specific property. But I’ve been told that the current gets stronger the further north you go…so I would check with the hotel/beach club first before snorkeling there, just to be on the safe side. Hope that helps!
Buccanos is great for snorkeling. Once inside the beach club, walk to the far south end of the property. There they have a pier where you can jump off and begin your snorkel. The current will push you north making for an easy drift. Once you get to the end of the Buccanos property you can exit at the beach and then head back south to start the process over again. The entire area is roped off to protect you from boat traffic.
Hi there Noelle, Your very old article is still going strong! Going to go the Money Bar on your recommendation from a cruise ship. Can we hire snorkelling equipment? Are we best hiring bikes to get there or take a cab? Many thanks for all your time is helping us all have a great trip. Couldn’t agree more about the dolphinariums.
Ha ~ I guess 2017 is considered “very old,” huh??! ; ) Fortunately, all these snorkel spots still exist, Cathy! I would hire snorkel gear in town, as I don’t believe the Money Bar rents equipment. And if you want more time snorkeling, I’d take a cab. If you want to meander more & enjoy the scenery, take bikes ~ but know that it will take at least an hour round-trip from the main town to the Money Bar. Have fun!! xoxo Noelia
Hi Noelle, thanks for the detailed write up! My dad and I will be spending a few days on Cozumel in May – any idea how visibility would be around this time? Also, with a month in Cozumel, I am sure you found some great food (locally recommended and off the beaten path) – any recommendations? I want to make sure we find the best the island offers! Thanks!
Hi Zac! Sounds like a great trip for you & your dad : ) I think visibility depends more on storms than the time of year, & you should have nice, warm waters in May + fewer people! As for food, I included all my favorite spots in my “Cozumel Guide” ~ which you can find if you type it into the search bar on my site. Cheers, hope you guys have a great trip! xoxo Noelia
Do you have a favorite snorkel set brand or recommendation? I always go through a tour or excursion company but would like to just buy my own.
Hi Veronica! I usually travel for such long stretches that it wouldn’t be practical to bring my own gear ~ so I either rent gear or use gear provided by a tour operator, & I’ve never had a problem : ) But I’m sure you can find plenty of good stuff on Amazon or at your local sporting goods store.
We loved your article about Cozumel! I wish we could have stayed more than 3 days! Thanks for sharing and good advices!
Hi Noelle, when I look for Hotel Cozumel on Google maps, it shows the Wyndham Cozumel Hotel & Resort. Is that the one you’re talking about?
Hi Anne, thanks for your question. When I pull up Hotel Cozumel on my phone right now, it’s still showing up as that name. It’s right across the street from Scuba Club Cozumel, & very close to Hotel Villas El Encanto, if that helps. Ahhh…but yes, I just pulled up on computer & it’s showing up as the Wyndham Cozumel Resort ~ same place!
We were so thankful to find this helpful information during our week in Cozumel over Christmas. We dove into snorkeling with our older kids and teens while we stayed at the Landmark Resort right across from the Money Bar and WE HAD A BLAST! Thank you!
Awesome, Tanya! The Money Bar is so much fun….& super easy access from the Landmark ~ glad even the older kids enjoyed it! ; ) xoxo Noelia
appreciate your info. I was in Cozumel for a week diving about 15 yrs ago and was really disturbed with the 7 cruise ships. not to mention that the people getting off the ship(s) were given flyers saying don’t go more than 2 blocks back from main street (with all the non-MX owned shops and restaurants).
Yet, I find myself looking at it and thought maybe i could find a house rental to share with a group of friends away from the masses, yet off a good snorkeling coastline. Yet, it seems except for that N of town area, all the spots are only accessible via these establishments? I want to do some diving, but now am older and would like some mellow but good snorkeling. (also, is there any bleaching of corals in this area do you know?…so sad in so many areas)
I was also looking at mainland, maybe Puerto Morales area? any thoughts appreciated! thanks Diane (from N CA)
Hi Diane! Thanks for your detailed comment. I totally get that the abundance of cruise ships can be frustrating (& it REALLY irritates me that they would pass out flyers telling people not to explore past Cozumel’s 1st 2 blocks!!). However, I think you’ll find that if you stay in Cozumel for several days, the cruise ships come in at specific times, there’s a mad rush ~ & then they’re gone. Sundays they aren’t allowed in port, period. These times in Cozumel (without the cruise ships) are magical. Totally different feel. Renting a house would be a lovely idea if you’re looking for a longer stay, & you’ll really appreciate these magical, mellow times.
It’s very true that most of the great snorkel areas in Cozumel are only accessible via a hotel or restaurant (or by boat); you really can’t blame them, as this is how they make their money. But here’s how I look at it: for just the price of a drink or lunch, you’re able to access some of the best snorkeling in the world! Not a bad trade-off, in my opinion. And snorkeling in these areas is also safer, as you’re near other people & typically in a cordoned-off area. (Note: if you’re snorkeling north of town, you need to be a STRONG swimmer, ideally with fins! Currents further north are stronger.)
I do not know about the bleaching of the corals, & I’m also not well-informed about the Puerto Morales area. I’m a huge fan of Cozumel myself, & I really think you’ll find what you’re looking for in terms of mellow snorkeling & a lovely little town filled with great restaurants, friendly locals, & fun shops.
Hope all this helps!! xoxo Noelia