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05-02-2002, 06:29 AM,

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Spectacular Deep Dives Maracaibo Reef - The most challenging dive spot in Cozumel at 140 -160 feet, which is decompression (non sport) diving. The reef features a spectacular multitude of caves and crevices, requiring an entire day to explore. There is also a series of very lush and rarely dived huge heads in 60-90 ft. of water. (Advanced) Chun Chakab - Probably the most difficult to find reef in Cozumel Diving this one takes very special combination of captain, divemaster and weather conditions, If you do manage to get there, expect a virgin submarine fantasyland where large pelagics are often seen. For experienced ONLY! 90-120 ft. (Advanced) La Francesa Reef - An excellent deep site for first time ocean divers Not located on our famous drop-off, this reef is surrounded by sand bottom at 7~15 feet: Expect mild currents and a wide spectrum of colorful marine life. (Novice) Palancar Reef - The reef most identified with Cozumel is actually a conglomeration of many different coral formations and personalities. Stretching over three and one half miles, this gargantuan queen reef lies about a mile oft shore and tops a sloping wall which descends to a maximum depth of over 3000 feet. Palancar offers such a wide variety of profiles that she could not be seen in 20 or even 30 dives. Just to get a glimpse" of this multifaceted giant, the diver need make at least 6 separate dives. (Novice) Palancar Gardens at the north end is relatively shallow and best dived between 40 and 70 ft. Often dived, nevertheless beautiful with many large caverns. (Novice) The Little Caves is the area of many winding canyons, deep ravines and narrow crevices. A labyrinth of passageways, tunnels and caves, this is best dived at 50-70 feet. (Novice) The Big Horseshoe where a series of tightly packed giant coral heads from a natural horseshoe rising from 100 feet to within 20 feet of the surface. Former home of the Christ statue (which now stands in Chancanab Park), this is still Palancar's busiest deep dive. Too much broken coral here, dive well, please. (Novice) Broken Reef or The Little Horseshoe - just south of the big one is where you'll find majestic coral ridges rising high from the slope - Many windows, canyons and caverns. Best at 60-80 ft. Seldom dived and pristine. (Novice) Palancar Caves - still further south, is best dived al 60-90 feet to appreciate it's deep buttresses, tunnels, caves and immense caverns. (Novice) Deep Palancar - Is where the wall begins at 9O-100 feet. Rarely dived and pristine. Not for novice divers 100-120 ft. Spectacular visibility and currents vary all along the reef, but you can always count on stunning, exciting dive at mighty Palancar. (Advanced) Santa Rosa Reef or "The Wall" - Undoubtedly Cozumel's second most popular drop-off. A wall begins at 50 feet and drops straight away into the deep. There is usually a brisk current and what an incredible thrill it is to literally fly the face of the wall and occasionally frolic with a playful grouper. Santa Rosa offers great beds of tunicates, immense sponges, huge overhangs of stony corals and impressive caves and tunnels best dived 60-80 ft. Awesome! (Intermediate) Cedral Wall - A fairly flat wall just brimming with life and color. Expect a swift ride -- Look Ma! No kicking - 50-90 ft. (Intermediate) Columbia Reef - Another impressive drop-off at 60-80 feet. The quality of diving here is at least as spectacular as any part of Palancar. Deep diving at its finest. Columbia is comprised of a series of gigantic coral pinnacles (most over 90 ft. tall) rock marked with caves, tunnels and caverns. Here you'll experience a unique sensation liken to floating around the Rocky Mountains. Small marine life is a bit sparse but large creatures are frequently seen. (Intermediate)