Cozumel Snorkel Tour: Explore Dzul-Ha and Paradise Reefs on Chivis del Mar
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1–1.5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for people comfortable in the water; basic swimming ability recommended but guided flotation is provided.
Overview
Spend 90 minutes aboard a glass-bottom boat exploring two of Cozumel’s accessible reefs—Paradise and Dzul-Ha. This guided snorkel run is ideal for first-timers and shore visitors who want vivid coral gardens, abundant fish life and a compact, informative outing.
Cozumel Snorkel Tour: Explore Dzul-Ha and Paradise Reefs on Chivis del Mar
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The glass-bottom hull creaks gently as the boat slips away from Marina Caleta Antigua and the water opens into a flat, sunlit mirror. Below, the sea is not just blue but a living map—coral towers rising like reef-cities, parrotfish carving bright chips from the edges, and the current tugging playfully at your fins. For a compact, first-time introduction to Cozumel’s underwater world, the Chivis del Mar tour delivers: two 30-minute snorkel stops at Paradise Reef and Dzul-Ha, stitched into a 90-minute coastal run.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Arrive early from the ferry
If you’re coming from Playa del Carmen, allow at least 45 minutes for the ferry and 25 minutes for a taxi to Marina Caleta Antigua; show up 15 minutes before departure.
Use a UV shirt instead of sunscreen in the water
Chemical sunscreens harm coral—wear a long-sleeve rash guard or apply reef-safe sunscreen on shore only.
Fit your life jacket and mask before entering
Try your mask and life jacket on the boat—skills to avoid fogging and flotation issues will make the snorkel more relaxed.
Prepare for seasickness if sensitive
The coastal passage is short but choppy on windier days—consider a preventative if you get queasy.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Parrotfish
- Schooling grunts and sergeant majors
History
Cozumel has been a maritime waypoint since pre-Columbian times; the island’s reefs supported local fisheries and were referenced in Mayan navigational lore.
Conservation
The reefs here are part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System and benefit from protected mooring zones—avoid touching coral and use reef-safe products to reduce impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in Playa del Carmen
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Rash guard or UV swim shirt
Protects your skin from the sun and removes the need for chemical sunscreen in the water.
summer specific
Swimsuit
Wear under dry clothes for quick change; swimsuits are needed for entering the water.
Towel and dry change of clothes
You’ll want something dry to put on after the snorkel—boats have limited drying space.
Water shoes or reef-safe sandals
Useful for walking on docks and rocky beach approaches; some marinas are rough underfoot.
summer specific