Anchorage· Cozumel· Mexico
San Miguel Anchorage (Cozumel)
20° 30.9′ N · 86° 57.4′ W · approximate
The open roadstead off San Miguel, Cozumel's only town, where visiting yachts anchor in clear water on the island's lee shore with the dive boats, ferries and cruise ships passing by.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate: placed about 300 m off the waterfront just north of the Muelle Fiscal ferry pier (Wikivoyage marker 20.51126, -86.94990); Noonsite says most boats anchor anywhere between the Puerto de Abrigo marina (north of town) and the ferry dock. Bottom is sand over hard coral - swim down and check the set. Protected from the prevailing easterly trades by the island, but wide open to the west: in winter, northers (cold fronts) make the whole west coast untenable, so have a plan to run to Puerto Aventuras or Puerto Morelos on the mainland. Noforeignland users rate it 3 of 5 and call it rolly with multiple swells. Dinghy: landing on the beach is fine; dive-shop docks may let you tie up briefly with permission - there is no dedicated dinghy dock (Noonsite cruiser report, 2014). Expect wakes from the Playa del Carmen ferries, which run hourly about 8 am to 8 pm, and cruise-ship traffic. The national park (no-take, no touching) begins just south of the International Pier. Call the Capitanía de Puerto on VHF 16 on arrival.
Best for
Overnight stop to dive Cozumel or clear in/out in settled easterly weather
Season
Settled trade-wind weather; untenable in winter northers
Nearby
- Northers and Cozumel West-Coast ExposureRight here
- Cozumel Port Captain0.4 NM away
- Muelle Fiscal Ferry Pier (San Miguel)0.4 NM away
- Thirsty Cougar (Cozumel)0.4 NM away
- Casa Cuzamil (Cozumel)0.5 NM away
- Casa Denis (Cozumel)0.5 NM away
- Cervecería Punta Sur (Cozumel)0.5 NM away
- Colores y Sabores (Cozumel)0.5 NM away