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Scuba divers exploring the vibrant coral reefs of Isla Mujeres, Mexico, teeming with diverse marine life.
📷 Harvey Clements · Pexels

Paso El Cedral Reef

3.5 — based on 15 community signals
4.2 12 species 26 contributors

Paso El Cedral Reef is a year-round Mexican dive destination with healthy coral and abundant marine life.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryYearRoundHealthyReefPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner

Top operators here

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Map

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Paso El Cedral Reef location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
3.3 kn
Wave
0.6 m
Water
30.1°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (22%)
Now: NNE (14°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.25m

Today: High 05:00 (+0.29m), Low 11:00 (+0.11m)

+0.4 m+0.1 m
▲ 05:00 · +0.29m ▼ 11:00 · +0.11m ▲ 17:00 · +0.26m ▼ 23:00 · +0.14m 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 0.68 8 1mm
09-19 6.2 0.6 8 8mm
09-20 7.6 0.68 8 9mm
09-21 6.8 0.76 8 15mm
09-22 7.2 0.66 8 21mm
09-23 6.2 0.62 8 14mm
09-24 5.4 0.6 8 28mm

About this spot

Paso El Cedral Reef delivers consistent diving opportunities off Mexico's coast. The reef sits outside a marine protected area, making it accessible to recreational divers year-round. Coral health remains strong with no bleaching stress reported, creating a vibrant underwater ecosystem. The site supports diverse marine life documented across 12 species observations. Community videos provide insight into conditions and what to expect below the surface. This mix of healthy coral structures and active marine populations makes the reef a reliable choice for explorers seeking stable diving conditions. Access and logistics vary by location. Check with local dive operators for current conditions, boat schedules, and any regional requirements before planning your trip. The reef's year-round availability means you can dive here on your schedule.

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

Dive types

ReefBoat

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 · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 8023km · ~1845kg · €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 Paso El Cedral Reef?

The reef is diveable year-round, so you can plan your trip based on your schedule rather than seasonal windows. Check with local operators for any weather-related variations in conditions.

What marine life will I see?

The reef supports diverse species documented in 12 observations on record. Community videos offer visual previews of typical encounters. Ask local dive operators for the most current sightings.

What are the depth and difficulty levels?

Specific depth and difficulty data isn't currently available. Contact local dive shops for details on bottom depth, current strength, and recommended experience levels before booking.

Do I need permits or certifications to dive here?

The reef lies outside a marine protected area, simplifying access. Verify any regional requirements with your dive operator or local authorities before your visit.

Operators near this spot

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

Paso El Cedral Reef

0 km
Dive centre

Punta Dalila

0.7 km
Dive centre

San Frandsco Reef

1.7 km
Dive centre

Punta Sur Reef

3 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

83 records · 34 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Ancinus depressus

Malacostraca · Ancinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
5 Apr 2019
×1records
Depth:
0–1 m

Styracura schmardae

Chupare stingray
Elasmobranchii · Potamotrygonidae
OBIS
Last seen:
28 Feb 2017
×2records

Hypanus americanus

Southern stingray
Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
15 Feb 2017
×3records

Tursiops truncatus

Common bottlenose dolphin
Mammalia · Delphinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
29 Nov 2016
×2records

Hypanus americanus

Southern stingray
Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
17 Oct 2016
×4records

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Nurse shark
Elasmobranchii · Ginglymostomatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
17 Oct 2016
×4records

Styracura schmardae

Chupare stingray
Elasmobranchii · Potamotrygonidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Sept 2016
×6records

Styracura schmardae

Chupare stingray
Elasmobranchii · Potamotrygonidae
OBIS
Last seen:
8 Dec 2015
×6records

Thyroscyphus ramosus

Hydrozoa · Thyroscyphidae
OBIS
Last seen:
8 Dec 2015
×1records
Depth:
20 m

Hydrallmania franciscana

Hydrozoa · Sertulariidae
OBIS
Last seen:
8 Dec 2015
×1records
Depth:
20 m

Halopteris carinata

Hydrozoa · Halopterididae
OBIS
Last seen:
8 Dec 2015
×1records
Depth:
20 m

Tursiops truncatus

Common bottlenose dolphin
Mammalia · Delphinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
30 Nov 2015
×4records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Dive Site "Paso Del Cedral", Cozumel, Mexico

Rems Production
💬 1 top comments
  • What was this filmed on? Great footage!

    @JessicaFessler-w3v · 👍 0

Drift Dive Relaxation Video El Paso del Cedral Reef Cozumel Mexico Scuba Diving Cruise Excursion Na

Nacho TV

Diving Paso del Cedral Reef (Cedar Pass), Palancar Reef, Cozumel (1080p) GoPro hero 7

Dallas Home Expert Vivien
wind peaks Mar-Feb-Jan, calmest Oct-Aug-Sep, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jun (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (100/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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