Reefwander
Scuba divers swim through a coral archway lit by shafts of sunlight on a Cozumel reef

Cozumel · Mexico · Reef

La Francesa

Permit cruising over coral heads on open sand

Area photo: Matthew T Rader · CC BY-SA 4.0

La Francesa is a reef of small coral heads scattered across a large sandy area off Cozumel. It is usually dived as the second dive of a trip, with a typically moderate current carrying divers from head to head.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of La Francesa: typical dive 9–18 m (30–60 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit9 m18 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

No published position for this site — the map shows Cozumel and its other sites; operators know the mooring.

The dive

The reef heads jut out of the sand between about 9 and 18 m (30 and 60 ft). Permit cruise above the reef, sea turtles turn up here and there, and black groupers are found among the heads along the way.

Marine life and season

  • Trevally & jacks
  • Sea turtles
  • Groupers
Month-by-month season rating for La Francesa
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PrimePrimePrimePrimeGoodGoodGoodFairFairFairFairGood

Season follows Cozumel: January–April is prime with December close behind; lighter trades keep the leeward side calm, though winter nortes can shut the port for a day. Peak hurricane risk falls in September and October.

Dive videos

Diving Francesa Reef Cozumel | Scuba Life Cozumel Dive Shop · Scuba Life Cozumel on YouTube

Sources

  1. La Francesa – Scuba Du — Scuba Du
  2. Cozumel Scuba Diving Guide — Island Life Mexico

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