Cozumel Submarine Tour: Dive the Chankanaab Reef Wreck

Inside a Submarine at Cozumel's Wall: What 600 Meters of Ocean Looks Like

You arrive 30 minutes early, watch a safety briefing, board a transfer boat, then descend 100 feet in a real submarine to explore Cozumel's reef wall, coral formations, and a sunken ship. You stay dry the whole time, receive a digital certificate, and return to the facility within two and a half hours total.

Step-by-step itinerary

Atlantis Submarine Adventure in Cozumel

• Check in 30 minutes early
• Relax in Explorers’ Lounge
• Watch introductory video
• Boat transfer to dive site
• Board Atlantis XII submarine
• Dive to 100 feet depth
• Explore Chankanaab Reef and shipwreck
• Return by boat to facilities
• Visit boutique for souvenirs

The experience

The submarine is already filling with passengers when you arrive at the Atlantis Submarines Cozumel facility. You check in 30 minutes early, watch a short safety video in the Explorers' Lounge, and then board a passenger boat that ferries you out to the dive site. The whole transfer takes about 15 minutes. Once you reach the mooring, you climb backward down a 12-step ladder (handrails are there) into the Atlantis XII: a real submarine, not a glass-bottom boat or a simulator. The crew seals the hatch. And then you're descending.

The submarine drops to over 30 meters (100 feet) into Chankanaab Reef, part of the Mesoamerican Reef System: one of the largest living reef systems on earth. Through the portholes, you see coral formations that don't look like photographs. The colors are there, the fish move in real time, and the scale of the wall becomes obvious once you're inside it. Cozumel's famous wall drops another 600 meters below you. Your guide points out the Felipe Xicoténcatl, a sunken ship that's now an artificial reef, its structure still visible and already colonized by marine life. The whole dive lasts about an hour underwater. It's not a scuba dive. You stay dry, breathe normally, and watch through the windows. No certification required, no physical exertion beyond climbing the ladder.

When you surface and return to the facility by boat, you'll get a commemorative digital dive certificate and a chance to browse the boutique for photos or souvenirs (those cost extra). The whole experience, from check-in to departure, runs about two and a half hours. A $13 USD marine park fee is added to your ticket. Weather can cancel the dive if conditions aren't safe, so the crew makes that call on the day.

What’s included

• Your experience includes check-in at the Atlantis Submarines facility, a safety briefing video, transfer by passenger boat to the dive site, one hour underwater in the Atlantis XII submarine exploring Chankanaab Reef and the Felipe Xicoténcatl shipwreck, return transfer to the facility, and a commemorative digital dive certificate.
• The $13 USD Chankanaab Marine Park fee is paid separately.
• Photos, souvenirs, and other services available at the boutique cost extra.

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day, 10 start times, from US$ 90 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday and Sunday: 08:15, 09:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15 and 14:15Tuesday and Friday: 08:15, 09:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15 and 17:15Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 08:15, 09:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15 and 15:15

GroupUp to 44

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (17 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 16 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Atlantis Submarines Cozumel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Cozumel's reef and shipwreck without getting wet or learning to dive. The submarine does the work, and you watch through the portholes for a full hour at depth.

Traveler reviews

4.61★★★★★★★★★★

856 verified traveler reviews

5 ★686

4 ★85

3 ★39

2 ★17

1 ★29

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 16 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Do I need scuba certification to go on the Atlantis submarine?

No. You stay inside the submarine the entire time, so no diving experience or certification is required.

How deep does the submarine go?

The Atlantis XII descends to over 30 meters (100 feet). Cozumel's wall drops much deeper below that, but the submarine operates at that depth.

What is the age requirement?

Children must be at least 4 years old and 3 feet 4 inches tall. Infants (under 3 years) are not allowed. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Is there a weight or fitness requirement?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, but you must be able to safely climb backward down a 12-step ladder with handrails. It's not recommended for travelers with significant mobility limitations.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The tour operates subject to permissible weather conditions. Atlantis Submarines reserves the right to cancel or reschedule if conditions aren't safe.

Can I bring a camera or personal items?

You can bring one small personal item (purse or handbag) that fits in your lap and doesn't exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches. Cameras and photos are available through the boutique for an extra cost.

Is the $13 marine park fee included in the ticket price?

No. The $13 USD Chankanaab Marine Park fee is charged separately per person.

Can pregnant women do this tour?

Pregnant travelers without previous complications can participate up to the 6th month of pregnancy.