Cozumel · Mexico · Reef · Drift
Punta Dalila
Relaxed shallow drift with nurse sharks and turtles
Area photo: Matthew T Rader · CC BY-SA 4.0
Punta Dalila is a shallow reef off Cozumel and a popular second dive on charter trips. It is dived as a relaxed drift, and when the current is mild it suits newer certified divers who are already comfortable drifting; the reef is shallow enough for snorkelling too.
Where it is and how deep
20.3458° N, 87.0279° WApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
Much of the reef sits at around 12 to 18 m (40 to 60 ft), and divers drift along it with the current rather than swimming a set route. Nurse sharks and turtles are the larger animals to watch for on the way along the reef.
Marine life and season
- Sea turtles
| 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.
Dive videos
Punta Dalila 60ft Dive Cozumel. · Cozumel Everyday on YouTube
Questions divers ask
When does Punta Dalila suit newer divers?+
When the current is mild. The reef sits at around 12 to 18 m, and newer certified divers who are comfortable with drift diving can dive it then.
Sources
- Cozumel scuba diving dive sites — SSI
- Punta Dalila — ScubaGo
- Cozumel Scuba Diving Guide — Island Life Mexico
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