Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas

Cozumel — Devil's Throat

Advanced drift dive through a dramatic wall canyon in Cozumel. Depths 24–40 m. Year-round access.

⭐ Best for advanced divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Advanced
Depth
24–40 m
Drift diveAdvancedOnlyCurrentVaries

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
advanced
Depth
24–40 m

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators POIs Airport Nearby spots
© OpenStreetMap · CARTO
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4.7 kn
Wave
0.62 m
Water
30.4°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (22%)
Now: NE (55°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.24m

Next: High at 04:00 (+0.32m)

+0.4 m+0.1 m
▲ 04:00 · +0.32m ▼ 11:00 · +0.14m ▲ 17:00 · +0.29m ▼ 23:00 · +0.17m Now +0.2m
Fri 18Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24
UV8.25 · very high Air PM2.53 · good 06:35 18:47
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-18 5.2 0.7 8 1mm
09-19 6.2 0.6 8 8mm
09-20 7.6 0.68 8 9mm
09-21 6.8 0.7 8 15mm
09-22 7.2 0.64 8 21mm
09-23 6.2 0.72 8 14mm
09-24 5.4 0.72 7 28mm

About this spot

Devil's Throat is an advanced dive site off Cozumel's eastern wall, known for its dramatic underwater canyon formation that funnels strong currents through a narrow passage. Divers descend to 24–40 meters to navigate the throat itself, where the seabed narrows into a corridor with steep walls on both sides. The drift is fast and requires solid buoyancy control and current awareness; this dive is not for beginners. The site sits outside a marine protected area and sees moderate boat traffic. Operators in Cozumel regularly run trips here. Conditions are generally consistent throughout the year, though the best diving windows depend on local weather and swell. Current strength varies; some days are more manageable than others. The main appeal is the geology and the adrenaline of the drift itself. The narrow canyon walls create an immersive corridor dive, and the current that makes it challenging also brings nutrient-rich water. Divers should expect to move fast and plan their air consumption accordingly. Bring a dive computer and ensure you are comfortable with deep diving and current management before booking. Most operators in Cozumel can brief you on the day's conditions and recommend whether the throat is diveable.

📖 Guide: Diving in Mexico: 51 Sites from Cenotes to Shark Dives

Dive types

DriftWall

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type A/B · 127V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 8017km · ~1844kg · €33

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 96/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 11h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 1h east · 1 day recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Devil's Throat?

Year-round diving is possible in Cozumel. Conditions vary by season and weather. Check with local operators for current predictions before booking, especially if you want calmer currents or better stability.

What depth and difficulty level is this dive?

Devil's Throat is an advanced dive site ranging from 24–40 meters. You need solid buoyancy control, deep diving experience, and comfort with strong currents. Not suitable for recreational or open-water divers.

What marine life will I see?

The site is known for its geology rather than specific documented species observations. Nutrient-rich currents attract pelagic fish and other marine life, but sightings depend on the day. Ask your operator what has been seen recently.

How do I access Devil's Throat and do I need permits?

The site is accessed by boat from Cozumel town. It is outside a marine protected area, so no special permits are required. Book with a local dive operator who knows the site and can assess conditions.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Chankanaab Reef

6.4 km
Dive centre

Paso El Cedral Reef

6.6 km
Dive centre

Tormentos Reef

6.6 km
Dive centre

Punta Tunich Wall

6.6 km
Dive centre

If conditions don't work

Activities nearby or alternative spots — keep your trip going.

Bad viz or rough seas? Plan B: El Mirador Km. 31 viewpoint.

Nearby spots

Cozumel — Palancar Caves Mexico Diving
🇲🇽 Mexico

Cozumel — Palancar Caves

Palancar Caves near Cozumel offers intermediate divers a chance to explore dramatic underwater formations and tunnels in Mexico's Caribbean.

Intermediate 15–35m
La Francesa Mexico Diving
🇲🇽 Mexico

La Francesa

La Francesa is a year-round dive destination in Mexico with robust marine life and no coral stress indicators.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Chankanaab Reef Mexico Diving
🇲🇽 Mexico

Chankanaab Reef

Chankanaab Reef in Mexico offers year-round diving with healthy corals and diverse marine life in a protected natural setting.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Turneffe — The Elbow Belize Diving
🇧🇿 Belize

Turneffe — The Elbow

The Elbow at Turneffe, Belize, is an advanced dive site featuring steep wall drops to 40m with strong currents and pelagic action year-round.

Advanced 20–40m
Tarrafal — Drop-off Wall Cape Verde Diving
🇨🇻 Cape Verde

Tarrafal — Drop-off Wall

Wall dive on Santo Antão's western coast, dropping from 18m to over 80m. Pelagic encounters common.

Advanced 18–40m 30m Apr·May·Jun+
Rangiroa — Tiputa Pass French Polynesia Diving
🇵🇫 French Polynesia

Rangiroa — Tiputa Pass

Tiputa Pass, Rangiroa: a thrilling drift dive through narrow channels where sharks, rays, and pelagics swarm in crystalline blue water.

Advanced 12–40m 30m Jan·Feb·Mar+
Ras Mohammed — Shark & Yolanda Reef Egypt Diving
🇪🇬 Egypt

Ras Mohammed — Shark & Yolanda Reef

Egypt's most famous dive — twin reefs at the tip of Sinai with strong currents, schooling barracuda, and the cargo of the Yolanda wreck.

Advanced 12–40m 30m Mar·Apr·May+

Suggest an operator

Know a great dive shop, kite school, or local guide at this spot? Tell us — we'll review and add it.

Up to 500 characters
Plan
View →