Mexico - Shore Dive in Cozumel
This blog is sharing useful information and my dive experience of shore dive in Cozumel without dive guide. [The experiences are based on my trip from July to September 2021]
The reef is right off shore from Tikila Bar and Sunset Bar, within 10 minutes drive from Cozumel centre.
The reef off Tikila Bar and Sunset Bar basically starts in two minutes swim, it is a slope reef and gradually sloping down to a flat rubble bottom to maximum 11 meter (36 feet). You can expect to see different sizes of coral bommies at the reef, but do not expect to see huge bommies there at the rubble bottom, it is full of sea grasses.
As the reef is close to shore and more protected, the current is relatively gentle and mellow compared to the main reef in Cozumel marine park. You can take you time and dive slowly to look for small critters.
What can you expect to see?
The reef does not have as much coral formations as the main reef at the marine park. You should not expect to see much big fishes here (e.g. big angelfishes or parrotfishes you can see n main reef), however, small fishes and juvenile fishes like to be around as it is more protected area. The reef is still full of diverse marine life, particularly small critters.
Some of the bigger marine life that can occasionally be sighted here are different kinds of moray eels, yellow stingrays, Caribbean spiny lobsters, scorpion fishes, porcupinefishes, trumpetfishes & trunkfishes. During winter season, you may occasionally see spotted eagle rays. And if you are lucky, you may see sea turtle on the sea grassy area.
Some of the smaller smaller critters that can be sighted here are banded coral shrimps, yellowline arrow crabs, different species of blenny fishes, flamingo tongues. You may see mantis shrimps peeping their heads out from the hole at the rubble bottom. Also, you will able to see different headshield slugs and painted elysia (sap-sucking slug) on the rubble bottom if you are good spotter. If you are very lucky, you will able to see seahorses on the sea grass which I was not lucky enough to see.
If you are up for night dive, you would encounter plenty of Caribbean reef octopuses out in the open and sometime you may able to see them hunting. Squids are also occasionally sighted at night. Red ridged cling crabs, banded cling crabs and squat anemone shrimps are commonly seen around sea anemone. Bearded fireworms are occasionally seen.
I personally think it is really worth it considering shore diving is much cheaper than boat diving. Some highlighted marine life pictures are shown at the bottom of the article.
How to dive at the shore?
There are dive shops take people to shore dive, the price would be cheaper compared to boat a trip. You can also dive by yourself and your dive buddy if you are experienced diver. In the coming content, I will share useful information and my dive experience at the shore without a dive guide.
If you are planning to dive without a dive guide, please make sure you are experienced to handle any sudden situation (like sudden strong current) and you are capable to navigate yourself in the water. You are always the one responsible for your own safety.
There are dive shops coordinate with Tikila bar and Sunset bar. Scuba with Mario is located in Tikila bar and Sand Dollar Sports is inside Sunset bar.
You can arrange tanks and weights, even whole set of dive gear with both shops. You can contact Scuba with Mario through Facebook or Instagram and contact Sand Dollar Sports by phone or WhatsApp.
Price
(The price is based on my experience in year 2021.)
Tikila - 10USD for entrance with one tank and weights
Sand dollar sports - 5USD for one tank, weight price is by weight (around 1 to 2 USD)
As I have my own gear I do not have information on gear rental.
Taxi to Tikila or Sunset bar from Cozumel centre is around 90-100MXN one way (tourist price).
Is it easy to dive there?
If you are experienced diver, you will find the reef is pretty simple and will recognise the reef after 2-3 dives.
How is the current?
Currents here are normally pretty mellow, sometime there is no current at all. It will not be drift dive like at the main reef. It is a really nice reef to do night dive.
I experienced strong currents once (once in my 15 dives there), I would need to grab hold on rocks to move back to the shore and ended the dive in pretty short time.
Tikila vs Sunset?
Both reefs are pretty similar as they are not even that far from each other (you can get to the other reef with 10 minutes swim). You will see more bommies at Tikila side. I would say sea life is pretty similar, personally do not have preference on the reef.
Tikila is more popular place for dive shops to take students there. Tikila can be really busy in the day time, especially in the morning. As the reef is more protected and there is flat shallow area with around 3 meter (10ft), a lot of dive shops take students to conduct courses. If you plan to go to Tikila, I suggest you to go in the afternoon.
I did not do any night dive at Tikila, I only did night dives at Sunset, I really like it as there is a underwear light for reference point outside Sunset reef and would be on for people do night dive.
Both places provide food. Tikila bar only serves breakfast and lunch. Sunset bar serves breakfast, lunch and dinner and they have live music most nights from around 6pm which is really nice.
Is it worth to do it?
The reef and marine life would surprise you. It is really worth to do it for this price, particularly a night dive since you can enjoy Caribbean reef octopuses by yourself in night dive.
Personal experience - Normally I would book two tanks for a day, one to do in the day time and have some snacks or food in the restaurant after, then do another tank for twilight dive or night dive. That's my perfect day for shore diving in Cozumel.
This blog is based on my trip in Cozumel from July to September 2021