Currents, when are they the least

[Umuntu]

Currents (water flows) and their direction are generally linked to Tides. With the direction linked to incoming or outgoing tides. Often with a stand (little flow) around the high or low tide in that specific location.

I don't know Coz, but the strength of the tides is generally linked to the Moon / lunar phase. The strongest tides (and current flows) are at Springs: Full Moon and New Moon; and the weakest are at Neaps: First Quarter and Third Quarter Moon.

 

[ggunn]

Currents (water flows) and their direction are generally linked to Tides. With the direction linked to incoming or outgoing tides. Often with a stand (little flow) around the high or low tide in that specific location.

I don't know Coz, but the strength of the tides is generally linked to the Moon / lunar phase. The strongest tides (and current flows) are at Springs: Full Moon and New Moon; and the weakest are at Neaps: First Quarter and Third Quarter Moon.

Actually, the currents around Cozumel are more related to the branch of the Gulf Stream that runs southwest to northeast between the island and the Yucatan. That prevailing current interacts with the island's coastline to produce eddy currents that make the local current at any one spot change speed and direction as they move around. I don't think tides have very much to do with it; the rise and fall of the water due to tides on the west coast of Cozumel are pretty minimal.

 

[Umuntu]

Actually, the currents around Cozumel are more related to the branch of the Gulf Stream that runs southwest to northeast between the island and the Yucatan. That prevailing current interacts with the island's coastline to produce eddy currents that make the local current at any one spot change speed and direction as they move around. I don't think tides have very much to do with it; the rise and fall of the water due to tides on the west coast of Cozumel are pretty minimal.

The Tidal influence is always there.

Probably the most studied body of water, because of its naval importance over the centuries, is the Solent, which sits between the Isle of Wight and England. It is also (surprisingly) subject to both the Gulf Stream and tidal influences. Because it has been so long studied, and it's importance to naval and commercial shipping, there are Tidal Flow Charts of the Solent which show current strength in knots on an hourly interval around high tide and low tide with all the eddies and local particularities of particular locations. It's not uniform in any way.

So while I agree that the Gulf Stream is a strong factor, the Lunar cycle, which affects all our oceans, should not be ignored.

 

[gopbroek]

Actually, the currents around Cozumel are more related to the branch of the Gulf Stream that runs southwest to northeast between the island and the Yucatan. That prevailing current interacts with the island's coastline to produce eddy currents that make the local current at any one spot change speed and direction as they move around. I don't think tides have very much to do with it; the rise and fall of the water due to tides on the west coast of Cozumel are pretty minimal.

From what I have seen the channel current is the largest factor in the reef currents in Cozumel. Here is a snap shot of the currents off NOAA's website. I haven't been studying this as long as some but I have noticed that as long as the main channel current is striking the wall at a very slight easterly angle and spilling over the reef, the currents on the reefs are normal in a primarily south to north direction and we have the famous Cozumel visibility. If it shifts slightly westerly so that it is no longer spilling over the wall the visibility drops dramatically, the water temps climb (like 85F in November) and the crazy currents happen with direction reversals and eddies. Any time I have seen a westerly wind the currents will also be unpredictable.

 

[ggunn]

The Tidal influence is always there.

Probably the most studied body of water, because of its naval importance over the centuries, is the Solent, which sits between the Isle of Wight and England. It is also (surprisingly) subject to both the Gulf Stream and tidal influences. Because it has been so long studied, and it's importance to naval and commercial shipping, there are Tidal Flow Charts of the Solent which show current strength in knots on an hourly interval around high tide and low tide with all the eddies and local particularities of particular locations. It's not uniform in any way.

So while I agree that the Gulf Stream is a strong factor, the Lunar cycle, which affects all our oceans, should not be ignored.

IMO, the branch of the Gulf Stream that flows through the Cozumel-Yucatan channel is the dominant factor in the currents around Cozumel. Cozumel isn't the Bay of Fundy; see Tide Times and Tide Chart for Cozumel. There is barely a foot difference between the highest and lowest tides.

 

[Dave Dillehay]

I also have NO reason too explain Coz current by the minimal effect of tides we have. They can be awful in October but peaceful in March, but on the odds Feb thru Mar is the most likely to have strong currents

 

[Diving Dubai]

The Currents in Coz are affected by its geographic location next to the Yucatan channel. The gravitational influence from the moon and the sun on tides will have some effect, however the major effect is the water flows influenced by the heating of the earth surface, and the subsequent water flow through the narrows of the channel

You can read, and see seasonal models here

One should never be deceived by the height of a tide. Just because it seems small, just means that the “bulge of water” is spread out over a larger area. There is still a large mass of water that needs to move from A - B. Areas with large tidal swings (height) normally have a physical obstruction causing the water height to rise.

In Indonesia, because it straddles the meeting point of two oceans, The Inonesian Through flow can have sea level 2’ (0.6m) higher on one side to the other.

 

[ggunn]

One should never be deceived by the height of a tide. Just because it seems small, just means that the “bulge of water” is spread out over a larger area. There is still a large mass of water that needs to move from A - B. Areas with large tidal swings (height) normally have a physical obstruction causing the water height to rise.

Like at the Bay of Funday where the land makes a sort of a funnel that concentrates the water from the 1' or so rise in the open sea into a 50' rise in the bay.

 

[DavBuc]

Coz currents are unpredictable, can change literally by the minute, and can be rather strong, but they're great if you like that flying feeling and want to cover a lot of ground, until you see something you actually want to spend some time looking at, then it goes from "that free and liberated feeling to fly with the waves" to "hold on for dear life while I struggle with every muscle in my body trying to avoid cramps and exhaustion while buying a few more hard earned seconds lining up my camera rig with that queen angelfish".

 

[boulderjohn]

Coz currents are unpredictable, can change literally by the minute, and can be rather strong, but they're great if you like that flying feeling and want to cover a lot of ground, until you see something you actually want to spend some time looking at, then it goes from "that free and liberated feeling to fly with the waves" to "hold on for dear life while I struggle with every muscle in my body trying to avoid cramps and exhaustion while buying a few more hard earned seconds lining up my camera rig with that queen angelfish".

On some such dives I cannot stop thinking of the line from the familiar Christmas poem, "As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly..."