Cozumel · Mexico · Reef · Night
Paraiso Reef
Cozumel's night-dive reef, and reachable from the beach
Area photo: Matthew T Rader · CC BY-SA 4.0
Three separate reefs running parallel to the shore about 180 metres out, dived between roughly 12 and 15 metres. It is one of the few reef areas on Cozumel a beach diver can reach without a boat, and the most popular site on the island for night dives. Octopus are common, and the splendid toadfish here lives nowhere else.
Also known as Paradise Reef, Paradise.
Where it is and how deep
20.4794° N, 86.9738° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
The site is three separate reefs lying parallel to the shore, about 180 metres out and 12 to 15 metres down, so a dive can take in one of them properly or move between them depending on how the group is doing for gas. Shore divers swim out; boats drop in on the same structure. All three sections carry abundant marine life, and the site is rated a novice one.
It is the most popular spot on the island for night dives. All three sections hold abundant life, including octopus and the splendid toadfish, a fish that lives in no waters but Cozumel's. Both are worth hunting slowly with a light rather than covering ground for, and at 12 to 15 metres there is plenty of bottom time to spend doing it.
Marine life and season
- Octopus & cuttlefish
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good |
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.
Questions divers ask
Can you dive Paraiso Reef from shore?+
Yes. The reefs run parallel to the beach about 180 metres out, and it is one of the few Cozumel reef areas that beach divers can reach without a boat.
What is the splendid toadfish?+
A fish that lives only in Cozumel waters. Paraiso is one of the reefs where it is found, along with octopus, and the site is the island's most popular night dive.
Sources
- Paradise dive site — Scuba Du
- Paraiso Reef — Scubago
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