Cozumel Scuba Diving Tour: Small Groups on Barrier Reef

Two dives on the second-largest reef in the world, with an hour between them to decompress on the boat.

Scuba diving in Cozumel puts you on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef system on earth, in small groups of four divers per guide. You meet at the dive shop, get geared up, then boat out about 45 minutes to the first site. The operator picks both dive depths and locations the morning of your dive based on your training level, so the experience fits what you can handle. Two dives, each up to 60 minutes, with a minimum one-hour surface interval on the boat where snacks and water are served. All diving equipment is provided onboard. If you're not certified, there's an additional charge to cover instruction. The boat returns around 3:30 PM, and you can either head back by taxi or stay longer on the island. The ferry schedule is flexible.

The experience

You start at the dive shop in Cozumel where the team handles paperwork and fits your equipment. Let them know your sizes ahead of time so everything is ready when you arrive. Once geared up, it's a short walk to the marina and onto the boat. The 45-minute crossing to the first dive site is when your guide runs through the dive plan and safety checks while you watch the Cozumel coastline pass. The boat itself has two levels and is covered, so you stay dry and shaded if the weather turns.

Each dive runs up to 60 minutes, with groups capped at four people per guide or instructor. The operator decides on both the depth and the reef site that morning based on what your certification level allows. If you're trained for 40 meters, you go deeper. If you're newer, you stay shallower on a gentler section of the reef. Between the two dives there's a minimum one-hour break on the boat, time to decompress, drink water, and eat the brunch that's included. If you want to use NITROX tanks instead of regular air, that's available for an extra fee.

The boat pulls back into Fonatur around 3:30 PM. From there, a taxi takes you back to the pier, but you're not locked into that schedule. The ferry tickets are open-ended, so if you want to spend the afternoon exploring the island instead, you can catch a later boat back to the mainland. Non-certified divers pay an additional $40 to cover the instruction needed to dive safely.

What’s included

• All diving equipment and tanks.
• boat transport from the shop to the reef and back.
• two dives with a guide.
• brunch and water during the surface interval.
• all fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Scuba diving around Cozumel IslandGuide in 7 languages · 07:30

Cozumel scuba for people not certifiedGuide in 7 languages · 07:30 and 08:00

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (15 to 70 years) · Child (10 to 14 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Dutch

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

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 40

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Be Diving Scuba Academy

Is this one for you?Book this if you dive with a partner or two rather than a larger group, and the operator matches your depth and reef to your certification level on the morning of the dive.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Dutch.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 14 years). Children under 10 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.

What's the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef like when you're diving it?

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is the second-largest reef system in the world, and Cozumel sits right on it. The operator chooses the exact dive sites and depths on the morning of your dive based on your training level, so you're always diving a section of the reef that matches what you're certified for.

How many people dive together on this trip?

Groups stay at four divers per guide or instructor, which keeps the dive manageable and lets your guide watch everyone closely.

What happens if I'm not a certified diver?

Non-certified divers can still go. There's an additional $40 charge that covers the instruction you need to dive safely with the group.

How long is the boat ride out to the reef?

The navigation to the first dive site takes about 45 minutes, and that's when your guide walks you through the dive plan and safety procedures while you're on the water.

What's included in the price?

All diving equipment, the boat, both dives, the guide, brunch, and water during the surface interval are included. If you want NITROX tanks, that costs extra.

Can I leave the island later if I want to stay longer?

Yes, the ferry schedule is flexible, so after the boat returns around 3:30 PM, you can either take a taxi back to the pier right away or spend more time on Cozumel and catch a later ferry to the mainland.