Dive· Cozumel· Mexico
Barracuda Reef (Cozumel North)
20° 33.9′ N · 86° 55.8′ W · approximate
A sheer, vividly coloured wall at Cozumel's northern end where ferocious, unpredictable currents bring barracuda, reef sharks, eagle rays and sometimes hammerheads - one of the island's most demanding dives.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate and indicative only: sources place it in the northernmost section of the island off the west coast; it is set about 1.5 km north of Playa San Juan (OpenStreetMap 20.55226, -86.92496), not at a published position - get the drop point from your operator. Currents are severe: down-currents of up to 7 knots have been reported; stay close to the wall, especially at breaks in the reef, and carry a whistle and SMB (njscuba). Bluewater Dive Travel calls it expert-only and heavily restricted because of the extreme currents - leave the camera behind. Nearby San Juan reef is also advanced, with swift currents. This area lies north of the cruise piers and outside the national park (Spanish Wikipedia), so not every operator runs it; ask well ahead.
Best for
Expert-only high-current drift for pelagics
Season
Calm days only; eagle rays best in season (Bluewater)
Nearby
- Puerto de Abrigo Marina (Banco Playa, Cozumel)2.2 NM away
- Banco Playa / Puerto de Abrigo Anchorage (Cozumel)2.4 NM away
- Cozumel Deep-Sea Fishing2.6 NM away
- Cozumel International Airport3 NM away
- El Morrito (Cozumel)3.3 NM away
- La Cocay (Cozumel)3.3 NM away
- Northers and Cozumel West-Coast Exposure3.3 NM away
- Pastelería y Panadería Zermatt (Cozumel)3.3 NM away