Dive· Cozumel· Mexico
Yucab Reef (Cozumel)
20° 25.3′ N · 87° 0.9′ W · approximate
A wide, shallow strip reef of hard corals and giant barrel sponges where lobsters, sleeping turtles and the endemic splendid toadfish hide - its northern end splits into sand channels that lead on to Tormentos.
Practical
Coordinate is approximate: placed between Tormentos and Punta Tunich in the site order given by Spanish Wikipedia. PADI's listing gives 20.46360, -86.98828, but that point lies north of Chankanaab and does not match the reef's described position next to Tormentos, so it was not used. Maximum depth about 17 m / 55 ft (PADI); 12-18 m (40-60 ft) with a current that can move quickly (SSI); some divers find it generally calm (njscuba) - conditions vary. Scorpionfish, many lobsters, nurse sharks, green and hawksbill turtles, splendid toadfish; night dives show reef squid (PADI). Popular second dive. Cozumel's channel current runs northbound at an average 1-2 knots (Spanish Wikipedia), so this is a drift dive: the boat drops you up-current and follows your bubbles - carry an SMB and stay with your guide. Inside Cozumel Reefs National Park: dive only with a licensed operator; the park fee was 255 pesos per person in April 2026 and is sometimes charged on top of the dive price (Riviera Maya News). No touching, standing on or taking any marine life, no stepping on seagrass, and only biodegradable sunscreen (Riviera Maya News). Fly a dive flag - boat traffic is heavy (njscuba). Sections of the park have been rotated closed since 2019 for coral-disease recovery, so confirm the site is open.
Best for
Shallow drift with turtles and lobsters
Nearby
- Punta Tunich (Cozumel)0.5 NM away
- Tormentos Reef (Cozumel)0.5 NM away
- Playa Paraíso (Paradise Beach, Cozumel)1.3 NM away
- San Francisco Beach Club (Cozumel)1.3 NM away
- C-53 Felipe Xicoténcatl Wreck (Cozumel)1.4 NM away
- Chankanaab Reef (Cozumel)1.4 NM away
- San Francisco Wall (Cozumel)1.4 NM away
- Chankanaab Park1.5 NM away