Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
Scuba diver swims among colorful coral reefs and fish in Cozumel, Mexico's vibrant underwater world.
📷 Matias Mango · Pexels

San Frandsco Reef

3.5 — based on 15 community signals
4.2 12 especies 26 colaboradores

San Francisco Reef offers year-round diving off Mexico's coast with healthy corals and abundant marine life.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Dificultad
Principiante
Family-friendlyShore entry

De un vistazo

Actividad
dive
Dificultad
beginner
Mejores meses
Todo el año

Mejores operadores aquí

Ver todos los operadores ↓

Mapa

Este spot Operadores POIs Aeropuerto Spots cercanos
Mapa de ubicación de San Frandsco Reef © Google · Datos del mapa © Google, colaboradores
Abrir en Google Maps

Condiciones hoy

Condiciones

Open-Meteo
Viento
4.8 kn
Olas
0.58 m
Agua
30.2°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: E (22%)
Now: NE (52°)
Marea (7 días)
amplitud: 0.25m

Próxima: Alta a las 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 Ahora +0.2m
Vie 18Sáb 19Dom 20Lun 21Mar 22Mié 23Jue 24
UV8.25 · very high Aire PM2.53 · good 06:35 18:47
Día Viento Olas UV Lluvia
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

San Francisco Reef is a Mexican diving destination open to exploration throughout the year. The site hosts a diverse ecosystem documented through 12 species observations, indicating a healthy marine environment. Coral stress is not present, making this a reef worth visiting for those interested in underwater biodiversity. The reef supports multiple fish and invertebrate species typical of Mexican Pacific or Caribbean waters, depending on location. Community divers have contributed three video records from the site, providing real-world footage of conditions and wildlife encounters. These resources help visiting divers prepare for what they'll encounter underwater. Because San Francisco Reef sits outside marine protected areas, access is straightforward with no special permits required. The site's year-round availability makes it flexible for travel planning. Divers of various experience levels may find suitable conditions, though checking current reports from local dive operators is advised before booking.

📖 Guía: Buceo en México: 51 sitios desde cenotes hasta inmersiones con tiburones

Mejores meses

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

Tipos de buceo

ArrecifeCosta

Esenciales del viaje

Todo lo que necesitas antes de hacer la maleta — checklist, sol, logística.

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
Información de sostenibilidad
🌍 CO2 footprint MAD ↔ 8023km · ~1845kg · €33

Desde tu país de salida

Estados Unidos
Puntuación de origen: 96/100
  • Visado: Sin visado · 90 días máx.
  • Vuelo: 11h · directo
  • Jet-lag: 1h este · 1 día de recuperación

Preguntas frecuentes

When is the best time to dive San Francisco Reef?

San Francisco Reef is divable year-round, offering consistent access regardless of season. Check with local operators for monthly variations in conditions and marine life activity.

What marine life can I expect to see?

The reef supports at least 12 documented species. Typical reef inhabitants include schooling fish, invertebrates, and healthy coral formations. Community videos provide visual reference for what divers encounter underwater.

Do I need permits or special access?

San Francisco Reef is not inside a marine protected area, so no special permits are required. Standard diving safety practices and local regulations still apply.

How healthy is the coral?

The reef shows no signs of coral bleaching or thermal stress, indicating a stable ecosystem. This makes it a good choice for divers interested in viewing intact coral formations.

Operadores cerca de este spot

Centros de buceo, escuelas de kite y surf en un radio de 10 km, desde OpenStreetMap.

San Frandsco Reef

0 km
Centro de buceo

La Francesa

1.6 km
Centro de buceo

Paso El Cedral Reef

1.7 km
Centro de buceo

Punta Dalila

2.4 km
Centro de buceo

Punta Tunich Wall

3.1 km
Centro de buceo

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Cozumel Scuba - Palancar Gardens, Santa Rosa Shallows, San Francisco Reef (HD)

brettpnw
💬 1 top comments
  • Great video!🎉

    @flaminglotus11 · 👍 1

5th Dive 3 5 15 St Francisco Reef, South Wall, Cozumel Max depth 84', 43 mins

Javier Medrano

Cozumel - San Francisco Reef - 21/02/2018

Igor Bacellar
wind peaks Mar-Feb-Jan, calmest Oct-Aug-Sep, dry Jan-Dec.

Clima mensual de 5 años

60 muestras
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
rango p25–p75 Mediana Viento (nudos) Aire (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jun (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (100/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

Spots cercanos

La Francesa Mexico Buceo
🇲🇽 Mexico

La Francesa

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

Principiante Ene·Feb·Mar+
Cardona Mexico Buceo
🇲🇽 Mexico

Cardona

Cardona offers year-round diving in Mexico with 12 recorded species observations and healthy coral conditions.

Principiante
Paso El Cedral Reef Mexico Buceo
🇲🇽 Mexico

Paso El Cedral Reef

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

Principiante

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Chankanaab Reef Mexico Buceo
🇲🇽 Mexico

Chankanaab Reef

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

Principiante Ene·Feb·Mar+
Cantarell Sand Reef Mexico Buceo
🇲🇽 Mexico

Cantarell Sand Reef

Cantarell Sand Reef offers year-round diving in Mexico with stable coral health and documented marine biodiversity.

Principiante Ene·Feb·Mar+
Deepdivemexico Mexico Buceo
🇲🇽 Mexico

Deepdivemexico

Year-round diving in Playa del Carmen with 12 documented species and healthy coral. Active dive community with video guides.

Principiante Ene·Feb·Mar+
Ambergris Caye — Mexico Rocks Belize Buceo
🇧🇿 Belize

Ambergris Caye — Mexico Rocks

Mexico Rocks near Ambergris Caye is a shallow, beginner-friendly reef system perfect for new divers and snorkelers year-round.

Principiante 4–8m

Sugerir un operador

¿Conoces un buen centro de buceo, escuela de kite o guía local en este spot? Cuéntanos — lo revisamos y lo añadimos.

Hasta 500 caracteres
Planear
View →