The Yucatán Peninsula & Cozumel Island Mexico
Mexico
Yucatán Peninsula & Cozumel Island
Climate:
Air:
Average temperatures: Winter 20C (68 F) summer 30-40C ((86-104F)
Humid climate between Sep- Jan, increased rain in Apr-May.
Water:
Conotes: Constant 24C (75F) except after the rain. Visablity: 60m (200ft).
Cozumel: From 27C (77F) in winter and 28C (82F) in the summer. Visibility: 30m (100ft) in winter, up to 50m (165ft) during summer.
Depth of dives:
Cenotes: Surface to 12m (40ft).
Cozumel: Surface to 30m (100ft) on wall dives.
Best Time to Go
November- March (Cenotes) Water is much clearer this time of the year.
May – September (Cozumel) the sea is much calmer at this time, the currents can be very strong at other times making drift diving challenging.
Dive Practicalities
Specialized cave diving certificate essential for cave diving. Open- water diving certification not sufficient.
Getting There
Yucatan Peninsula: Regular ferry services from Puerto Morelos and Playa Del Carman.
Cozumel Island: Flights to airport northeast of San Miguel (Capital) or internal flights from Cancun.
Cenotes
The Yucatan Peninsula used to be underwater but after millions of years, the sea level dropped to expose a shallow raised plateau of soft porous limestone susceptible t cracking and erosion. Tropical rainstorms carved vast underground caverns out of the limestone over the centuries. A cenote is created when the roof of a cavern collapses, revealing a natural well. Cenotes were a source of fresh water for the Maya, who performed rituals at these sites.
Dive Sites
The Cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula
Cozumel Island
Map of The Yucatan peninsula
