Cozumel May 1-8, 2027 RAL
Availability: Contact us for booking information
This jewel of a tropical island rests in the shimmering turquoise waters of the Caribbean. Just east of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico, the lush jungle life fills the island’s interior while sugary beaches, sunshine and gently swaying palm trees line the coast. It’s paradise! Cozumel is an easy trip from the United States and offers some of the best diving in the world. One of the many reasons Cozumel is a bucket list location for divers is the incredible drift diving.
Cozumel is located in the state of Quintana Roo by the Caribbean Sea, about 10 miles off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. It is directly across the water from Playa del Carmen and about an hour and a half from the Cancun airport.
The island is about 29 miles from northeast to southwest and averages 9 miles in width. Cozumel is the largest of Mexico’s inhabited islands. San Miguel is the only main town. The majority of the island is undeveloped.
What To Expect
Scuba Diving
One of the many reasons Cozumel is a bucket list location for divers is the incredible drift diving. Drift diving is fun, and it adds to the magic of Cozumel. Relax and ride the current, taking in the beauty and majesty of the reef and all its vibrant inhabitants.
As the second-largest barrier reef in the world, the Mesoamerican reef offers a massive variety of coral that creates a maze of swim-throughs and walls. Not only is Cozumel known for its beautiful reef, but it also has an abundance of marine life. There are over 500 species of fish in the area so get your camera ready!
You might see:
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Marlin
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Splendid toadfish
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Gray angelfish
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Porkfish
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Moray eels
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Nurse sharks
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Hawksbill turtles
Recommended Specialty Courses
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Boat diving
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Deep diving
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Perfect buoyancy
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Night & limited visibility
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Waves, tides & currents
My favorite questions is, “Where is your favorite place to dive?” I always smile and reply everywhere I dive is my favorite. Every dive offers something new and magical. I love the sense of calm, control, and quiet that comes with being underwater, which is why I recommend diving to everyone. There is nothing quite like being submerged, blowing bubbles, and taking in the beauty of aquatic life.
I became scuba certified at the age of 13 and quickly caught the SCUBA itch. I am incredibly fortunate to have started my diving journey so early, exploring local scuba parks and eventually working my way up to diving the remarkable shipwrecks off the coast of North Carolina.
What began as a passion soon evolved into a full-time career. I achieved professional status as a Divemaster, while working full-time as the dive shop manager at Water World. Seeking new opportunities, I later joined Gypsy Divers and Airtech Scuba Services, now known as Gypsy Divers Powered by Diventures.
Along the way, I have led many trips and formed countless friendships, the most important being my wife. I genuinely enjoy helping people with their gear on and off the boat and sharing my love of diving with others. My passion for diving, combined with my desire to travel, always leaves me wondering: where will the next dive take me?
Paul Hopper
Raised in Crystal River, Florida, Paul has spent his life in and around the water. He began teaching with Gypsy Divers in 1989 and loves to share his knowledge and expertise with his students. Paul is a Master Instructor in both SSI and PADI and has led dozens of dive trips to destinations around the globe, traveling to Cozumel twice a year for over 30 years.
When Paul is not diving and teaching, he can be found at Hopper Piano Company, where he is the Steinway Piano representative for Eastern North Carolina.
