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Two scuba divers explore vibrant coral reefs in clear ocean waters.
📷 Christian Vergara · Pexels

Punta Sur Reef

3.6 — based on 17 community signals
4.2 12 species 29 contributors

Punta Sur Reef offers year-round diving in Mexico with healthy coral and diverse marine life. Access this productive reef without MPA restrictions.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryFamily-friendlyBeginner

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators POIs Airport Nearby spots
Punta Sur Reef location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4.7 kn
Wave
0.58 m
Water
30.2°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (22%)
Now: NE (55°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.25m

Next: High at 05:00 (+0.29m)

+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 0.58 8 8mm
09-20 7.6 0.66 8 9mm
09-21 6.8 0.68 8 15mm
09-22 7.2 0.62 8 21mm
09-23 6.2 0.7 8 14mm
09-24 5.4 0.72 7 28mm

About this spot

Punta Sur Reef is a year-round dive destination in Mexico that delivers consistent access and healthy coral ecosystems. The reef shows no signs of bleaching stress, making it a reliable choice for divers seeking vibrant marine environments. With 12 documented species observations on record, the site supports a range of fish and reef creatures typical of Mexican coastal waters. Community-contributed video content from three separate dives provides real-world insights into conditions and marine activity at the site. The reef's status outside marine protected areas means straightforward access without permit requirements or restricted diving zones. This removes logistical barriers for divers planning visits. Year-round conditions allow flexible trip scheduling without worrying about seasonal closures or severe weather windows. Local dive operators and independent divers have documented the site's marine populations through video and species records. These contributions build a useful reference for understanding what to expect underwater. Whether you're scouting the area for the first time or returning for a repeat visit, the combination of accessible diving and healthy coral cover makes Punta Sur Reef a solid option on Mexico's dive itinerary.

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

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

Reef

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 ↔ 8025km · ~1846kg · €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 Punta Sur Reef?

Punta Sur Reef is diveable year-round, so you can plan a trip whenever suits your schedule. There are no seasonal closures or weather windows that restrict access.

What marine life can I expect to see?

The reef has 12 documented species observations. Community video evidence confirms active marine populations, though specific species lists vary by season and dive conditions.

Is Punta Sur Reef inside a marine protected area?

No. Punta Sur Reef is not within an MPA, so standard diving applies without permit requirements or zone restrictions.

What is the coral health status?

The reef shows no bleaching stress, indicating healthy coral cover. This makes it a reliable destination for encountering vibrant reef ecosystems.

Operators near this spot

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

Punta Sur Reef

0 km
Dive centre

Palancar Reef

1.1 km
Dive centre

Punta Dalila

2.3 km
Dive centre

Chun Chacaaab Reef

2.4 km
Dive centre

Paso El Cedral Reef

3 km
Dive centre

Maracaibo Reef

3.4 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

66 records · 42 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Nurse shark
Elasmobranchii · Ginglymostomatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
20 Mar 2017
×1records

Hypanus americanus

Southern stingray
Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
10 Feb 2017
×1records

Styracura schmardae

Chupare stingray
Elasmobranchii · Potamotrygonidae
OBIS
Last seen:
8 Feb 2017
×1records

Hypanus americanus

Southern stingray
Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
13 Oct 2016
×2records

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Nurse shark
Elasmobranchii · Ginglymostomatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
29 Sept 2016
×3records

Styracura schmardae

Chupare stingray
Elasmobranchii · Potamotrygonidae
OBIS
Last seen:
23 Sept 2016
×3records

Sphyrna mokarran

Elasmobranchii · Sphyrnidae
OBIS
Last seen:
14 Sept 2016
×1records

Aetobatus narinari

Spotted eagle ray
Elasmobranchii · Aetobatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
18 Jul 2016
×1records

Styracura schmardae

Chupare stingray
Elasmobranchii · Potamotrygonidae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 Dec 2015
×7records

Aetobatus narinari

Spotted eagle ray
Elasmobranchii · Aetobatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 Nov 2015
×1records

Calyx maya

Demospongiae · Phloeodictyidae
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Oct 2015
×1records
Depth:
6 m

Svenzea germanyanezi

Demospongiae · Scopalinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Oct 2015
×1records
Depth:
6 m

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.

Explore the Devils Throat Dive Site Cozumel

Fly by Night Adventure Films
💬 3 top comments
  • This dive is one of the most interesting Deep dives in the Caribbean. I love this dive! But, it absolutely should NOT be attempted by beginner divers with less than 200 dives and at least an Advanced Open Water certification, with deep dive training, good air consumption, and great buoyancy control. It will test your skill level for many reasons. Comment if you know of a better one.

    @BlaneHenderson · 👍 5
  • Taking one's time, how long is this dive approximately for an experienced diver with decent air consumption?

    @jeffmitchell2276 · 👍 0
  • :fish-orange-wide-eyes:Worth watching

    @charleshenderson1173 · 👍 1

Scuba Diving Devils Throat Punta Sur Cozumel October 9, 2025 Part 1

S Pash

Devil´s Throat at Punta Sur Reef, Cozumel Mexico, HD

Jan Haas
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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