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Two scuba divers exploring underwater scenery with marine life and coral.
📷 Debal Das · Pexels

Yucab Reef

3.5 — based on 15 community signals
4.2 12 species 25 contributors

Yucab Reef is a year-round Mexican dive site with healthy coral and diverse marine life, drawing from 12 documented species observations.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendlyMacroFocus

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Top operators here

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Map

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Yucab Reef location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
3.5 kn
Wave
0.48 m
Water
30.3°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (22%)
Now: NE (39°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.24m

Today: High 04:00 (+0.25m), Low 11:00 (+0.08m)

+0.3 m+0.1 m
▲ 04:00 · +0.25m ▼ 11:00 · +0.08m ▲ 17:00 · +0.23m ▼ 22:00 · +0.11m 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 0.56 8 1mm
09-19 6.2 0.5 8 8mm
09-20 7.6 0.58 8 9mm
09-21 6.8 0.66 8 15mm
09-22 7.2 0.58 8 21mm
09-23 6.2 0.52 8 14mm
09-24 5.4 0.48 7 28mm

About this spot

Yucab Reef sits off Mexico's coast as an accessible dive destination for explorers seeking healthy coral ecosystems. The reef supports a variety of marine species and remains free from coral bleaching stress, making it a solid choice for divers looking to experience vibrant underwater habitat. The site operates outside marine protected areas, offering straightforward access for visiting divers. The reef's appeal lies in its biological diversity. Community members have documented 12 different species observations at the site, suggesting good opportunities to encounter reef fish, rays, and other tropical marine life. Three community videos provide visual reference for planning your dive and understanding what to expect underwater. Yucab Reef welcomes divers year-round, so you can plan your trip around your schedule rather than strict seasonal windows. Whether you're building experience or refining your skills, this Mexican reef site offers a genuine alternative to heavily trafficked locations. The documented species list gives you a realistic preview of marine encounters.

📖 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 · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 8019km · ~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 Yucab Reef?

Yucab Reef is diveable year-round, so you can plan your trip based on your personal schedule and travel preferences rather than a narrow seasonal window.

What depth and difficulty level is Yucab Reef?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings aren't currently documented for Yucab Reef. Check with local dive operators or community videos before booking to confirm whether the site matches your training level and experience.

What marine life can I expect to see?

Yucab Reef has 12 documented species observations on file. Community videos provide visual references for the fish, rays, and reef creatures you're likely to encounter during a dive.

Do I need permits or special access to dive Yucab Reef?

Yucab Reef is not inside a marine protected area, so access is straightforward. Standard Mexican diving regulations apply—verify current requirements with local operators before your trip.

Operators near this spot

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

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

76 records · 34 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Mexorchestia carpenteri raduloviciae

Malacostraca · Talitridae
OBIS
Last seen:
2 Apr 2019
×1records
Depth:
0 m

Excirolana braziliensis

Malacostraca · Cirolanidae
OBIS
Last seen:
2 Apr 2019
×1records
Depth:
0 m

Ginglymostoma cirratum

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

Hypanus americanus

Southern stingray
Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
22 Mar 2017
×4records

Urobatis jamaicensis

Yellow stingray
Elasmobranchii · Urotrygonidae
OBIS
Last seen:
14 Nov 2016
×2records

Hypanus americanus

Southern stingray
Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
21 Sept 2016
×4records

Styracura schmardae

Chupare stingray
Elasmobranchii · Potamotrygonidae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 Sept 2016
×2records

Ginglymostoma cirratum

Nurse shark
Elasmobranchii · Ginglymostomatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
26 Aug 2016
×2records

Aetobatus narinari

Spotted eagle ray
Elasmobranchii · Aetobatidae
OBIS
Last seen:
26 Aug 2016
×1records

Tursiops truncatus

Common bottlenose dolphin
Mammalia · Delphinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
15 Mar 2016
×1records

Carcharhinus leucas

Bull shark
Elasmobranchii · Carcharhinidae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 Dec 2015
×1records

Thyroscyphus ramosus

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

Yucab 2026

Divemaster G
💬 1 top comments
  • Nice video G..

    @Tech4Dads · 👍 1

Yucab March 2026

Divemaster G

SCUBA DIVING YUCAB REEF - COZUMEL MX - OCTOBER 2025 - w/SCUBADU.COM - INSTA360 x4

Go Outside Craig

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "Forwarding anonymous report from #mapycz user, please verify: "Awesome flight Cozumel - fun parks for families","

    Matyjace · 2023-11-10
  • "Tequila tasting & atv's tours we are your locatval tour operator Reliable"

    Tequilatortugascozumel · 2021-10-19
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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