We are heading to Cozumel in a couple of weeks. My favorite dive site is Tormentoes but I hear it got pretty beat up after the hurricanes. Can anyone advise what sites are still in good shape after the hurricanes? We are definately going back to Punta Sur. Thanks so much for your help.
Cozumel Dive Sites Post-Hurricanes
- Thread starter bubbles3d
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I have been to Cozumel several times since Wilma, and we dove pretty much all the sites that we dove before except Yucab, which I had heard was pretty much gone as a dive site, though I have been told otherwise since my last trip. You'll still see storm damage just about everywhere (and will for many years), but I have had a couple of really good Tormentos dives since the storm. The least affected shallow site that I have seen is Colombia Shallows. The cross shaped white sponge is gone from Punta Sur.
Fish_Whisperer
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I was there and dove Tormentos and a few other sites, until Wilma rolled in and smashed everything up. The next year, it was like diving in a blizzard. There was sand EVERYWHERE!! Last year, there was still sand all over the place, but new coral beds are growing, new sponges, new fans... It's amazing how quickly things are recovering. I can't wait to go, this year. Hell, even a not-so-great dive in Cozumel is still better than the best dive in any quarry, so I definitely had no complaints!! 
charlesml3
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Las Palmas is a wasteland. Made that mistake last time we were there. I used to just love that site on a night dive.
Paradise still looks pretty bad. I don't think anybody goes to Yucab anymore.
We try to stay South. Colombia, Palancar, Punta Sur. Less damage there. Santa Rosa is starting to come back as well.
-Charles
Paradise still looks pretty bad. I don't think anybody goes to Yucab anymore.
We try to stay South. Colombia, Palancar, Punta Sur. Less damage there. Santa Rosa is starting to come back as well.
-Charles
cicopo
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Most sites south of the Iberostar (or Paso Del Cedral reef) were spared much damage but as you move north from there you see more & more sand / silt. All of the sections of Palancar are still great, but Santa Rosa was named Sandy Rosa by one diver last trip & he wasn't far off. Like the coral the marine life is also returning, and my Sept trip saw many larger fish than I did last Feb.
livewire
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I was there in November. Stayed at the Iberostar and dove with Dressel Divers and Dive with Martin. All the sites we dove were in great shape. I'm about 95% sure we dove Tormentos and I think it was fine. Delilah, Palancar (Bricks, Horseshoe, Caves), Punta Sur, Maracaibo, Francesca, Santa Rosa, Colombia, were all in great shape. The shallower reefs that were <25 feet seemed the most impacted, but there was still tons of life there and new life abloom.
Sue Sue
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Overall, ALL the dive sites are worth while visiting. Granted, many areas were beat up....and some are still recovering. HOWEVER, the conditions of the corals and marine life have improved greatly since the storms. Please visit Tormentos, Yucab , Paradise or any other site. The REBIRTH, Rejuvination, Regrowth of a Coral Reef is VERY exciting. DH and I are thankful for the opportunity we have had to dive Cozumel Pre-Emily, Post-Emily/Pre-Wilma and Post-Wilma. We have not been disappointed at all with what we have found. Sue Sue
sharky60
Contributor
I agree with Sue, the recovery of the reefs I noticed when we were there in April was just amazing. New soft coral and sponge growth were everywhere and the sea life as abundant as ever. The sand deposits weren't nearly as bad as they were the previous year. I actually had one of the best trips and gained a new appreciation for the reefs last year.
The reef is going to be constantly changing whether there are hurricanes or not, so come on down, strap it on, splash & sit back and enjoy the ride!
The reef is going to be constantly changing whether there are hurricanes or not, so come on down, strap it on, splash & sit back and enjoy the ride!
PARADISE HUNTER
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volleygirl
Registered
Just got back from our second trip to Cozumel and it
was very disappointing compared to our first
trip a few years ago. It is on the road to recovery.
Although some parts of the reefs are full of
color and coral growth, much is still covered with sand. The
fish seemed to be a bit sparse as well. We did see a
couple of turtles that allowed us to get fairly
close without darting away.
was very disappointing compared to our first
trip a few years ago. It is on the road to recovery.
Although some parts of the reefs are full of
color and coral growth, much is still covered with sand. The
fish seemed to be a bit sparse as well. We did see a
couple of turtles that allowed us to get fairly
close without darting away.
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