lifestyle, travel This is Cozumel

Cozumel reefs

With some of the most beautiful and most popular reefs in the world, Cozumel is taking positive steps to conserve this precious natural underwater resource.

The local Marine Park authority introduced a new conservation strategy in September 2019 to give different areas of the protected park a break from tourist activity on a periodic basis.

Different parts of the south of the marine reserve are closed to tourists for snorkeling, diving and swimming, depending on conservation needs and usually for up to a couple of months at a time.

Cozumel Marine Park Map

Areas which are sometimes closed include Colombia and Palancar reefs and El Cielo shallows and beach. There are 14 main snorkeling and diving sites within the park in all, of which only a few are affected at a time, so there are always plenty of other areas to visit and Cozumel snorkel tours and diving trips plan their routes as accordingly.

Cozumel reef snorkeling

There are also many amazing reefs to visit outside the Marine Park which are not unaffected by the strategy. They include those in the north which can be seen on the Cozumel Sailing Tour, Passion Island Catamaran Tour or Punta Molas Boat Tour.

Cozumel scuba diving

1.8 million people enjoy Cozumel's Marine Park every year and the area is protected by Mexican federal law. If you're one of the many to visit please remember to follow the Marine Park rules and you can also play your part in conserving this amazing piece of nature.