Go Backpacking

  • About
  • Travel Tips
    • Accommodations
    • Budgeting & Money
    • Adventure Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Gear & Gadgets
    • Packing Tips
    • Travel Blogging
    • Travel Insurance
    • Trip Planning
    • UNESCO Sites
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Egypt
      • Ethiopia
      • Morocco
      • Rwanda
      • South Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Cuba
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
      • United States
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • French Polynesia
      • New Zealand
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
  • Advertise
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Travel Tips
    • Accommodations
    • Budgeting & Money
    • Adventure Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Gear & Gadgets
    • Packing Tips
    • Travel Blogging
    • Travel Insurance
    • Trip Planning
    • UNESCO Sites
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Egypt
      • Ethiopia
      • Morocco
      • Rwanda
      • South Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Cuba
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
      • United States
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • French Polynesia
      • New Zealand
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
  • Advertise
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Travel Tips
    • Accommodations
    • Budgeting & Money
    • Adventure Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Gear & Gadgets
    • Packing Tips
    • Travel Blogging
    • Travel Insurance
    • Trip Planning
    • UNESCO Sites
  • Destinations
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Egypt
      • Ethiopia
      • Morocco
      • Rwanda
      • South Africa
      • Tanzania
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Indonesia
      • Japan
      • Laos
      • Malaysia
      • Nepal
      • Philippines
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Europe
      • England
      • France
      • Germany
      • Greece
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Costa Rica
      • Cuba
      • Guatemala
      • Mexico
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
      • United States
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • French Polynesia
      • New Zealand
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
  • Advertise
×
Home » Destinations » Central America » Mexico

5 Best Cozumel Snorkeling Spots

Modified: Apr 5, 2025 · Published: Feb 28, 2023 by Jyotsna Ramani |

Cozumel is one of the most popular destinations in Mexico for snorkeling and scuba diving, both of which will introduce you to an incredible underwater world. San Miguel de Cozumel, better known as Cozumel, offers a beautiful coastline and ideal island geography for snorkeling and other fun activities.

To begin, look for tour operators that can provide sustainable tours and a fantastic travel itinerary to help you get the best experience. Here are five Cozumel snorkeling spots to consider.

Table of Contents

  • Snorkeling in Cozumel
    • 1. Palancar Reef
    • 2. El Cielo
    • 3. Paradise Reef
    • 4. Villa Blanca Reef
    • 5. Punta Sur Shallows

Snorkeling in Cozumel

1. Palancar Reef

Sea view from Cozumel (photo: Devin H)
Sea view from Cozumel (photo: Devin H)

With majestic coral formations and excellent snorkeling conditions, Palancar Reef is one of Cozumel's top spots for snorkeling. Located on the island's southwest side, snorkelers and scuba divers can explore the vast ocean area beneath.

Here, you can explore spiny lobsters, angelfish, barracuda, crabs, sea turtles, and plenty of marine life. The crystal clear water provides excellent visibility for snorkelers and scuba divers, making it a perfect location for underwater sports activities. 

2. El Cielo

A yacht and swimmers off El Cielo beach, an excellent Cozumel snorkeling spot in Mexico. (photo: Fernando Jorge)
A yacht and swimmers off El Cielo (photo: Fernando Jorge)

Another excellent destination for snorkeling in Cozumel is El Cielo, a scenic white beach on the island's southwest coast. The only way to reach El Cielo Cozumel is via boat.

El Cielo is located close to the Colombia Reef and provides excellent snorkeling. Unlike other locations, it features a white sandy bottom, home to countless starfish.

While enjoying these waters, it's important not to disturb the starfish. Please don't pick them up, move them, or take them out of the water for pictures, as they are delicate creatures. Apart from the starfish, you can also find grey southern sting rays and trunkfish cruising around these waters. 

3. Paradise Reef

If you're relatively new to snorkeling, consider exploring Paradise Reef, south of San Miguel. Paradise Reef is inside a protected national marine park, so you can find great snorkeling options.

The best part about this reef is that it is shallow and divided into two parallel sections. This also provides gentle currents, which are ideal for new snorkelers. You can get some gorgeous shots of the marine life in Paradise Reef.

4. Villa Blanca Reef

A brown pufferfish in a reef off  Cozumel (photo: Vlad Tchompalov)
A brown pufferfish in Cozumel (photo: Vlad Tchompalov)

There are many amazing things to do in Cozumel, including on the north side near the Puerta Maya cruise terminal. Explore the Villa Blanca reef, which provides an exceptional snorkeling experience. Its shallowness allows you to make the most of the ocean geography.

If you don't want to snorkel, you can enjoy the glass-bottom boats that allow you to explore the marine life below. You can make the most of your trip with plenty of seahorses, puffer fish, and local marine life. 

5. Punta Sur Shallows

The Punta Sur Eco Park is home to the Punta Sur Shallow reef, another excellent location for new and expert snorkelers. If you don't have snorkeling gear, you can always rent some here and dive in to enjoy some of Cozumel's best marine life.

Mexico remains one of the top destinations for travelers wanting to relax and unwind. It offers some of the best beaches in the world, delicious Mexican food, exciting and inexpensive nightlife, and pleasant weather.

If you're looking for water sports and adventure, look no further than Cozumel, an easily accessible island on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.

_____

This story is brought to you in partnership with Odigoo Travel.

Related Stories

  • El Arco de Cabo San Lucas (photo: Victoria Bragg)
    Cabo San Lucas: 7 Fun Things To Do for Backpackers
  • Tulum ruins beach
    Best Beaches in Riviera Maya, Mexico
  • Tulum ruins and stairs to beach (photo: David Lee)
    4 Riviera Maya Attractions You Won't Want to Miss
  • Caving in Chiapas
    7 Reasons To Choose Mexico for Adventure Travel
  • Share
  • Tweet
Dave at Ahu Ko Te Riku on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Chile.

Hi, I'm Dave

Editor in Chief

I've been writing about adventure travel on Go Backpacking since 2007. I've visited 68 countries.

Read more about Dave.

Footer

back to top

About

  • About
  • Archive
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

Follow Us

Contact

  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Submissions

Copyright © 2025 Go Backpacking