Dive Site: Paso de Cedral

About Paso de Cedral

Paso de Cedral is a dynamic drift dive site located off the coast of Cozumel, Mexico, forming part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. This vibrant underwater area is celebrated for its distinctive topography, including massive coral mounds, ledges, and extensive overhangs, all teeming with marine activity. It stands out for its reliable sightings of larger species and spectacular reef formations. The dive typically unfolds as a guided drift, navigating through a diverse landscape that transitions from shallow reef sections with swim-throughs to a deeper wall profile. Divers explore low-profile caverns and sandy patches, progressing towards a vertical reef drop-off adorned with robust coral gardens and massive sponges. The site offers both Cedral Pass, a shallower drift zone, and Cedral Wall, a deeper, more challenging section, providing varied experiences. Marine life is abundant and diverse, often featuring nurse sharks resting under overhangs, green moray eels in reef holes, and stingrays working the sandy seafloor. Schooling French grunts densely populate overhangs, while cleaning stations host a variety of busy reef fish. Turtles are consistently seen, and the site is a reliable location to spot the endemic Splendid Toadfish. Eagle rays may also be encountered seasonally. Accessed by boat, Paso de Cedral is primarily a drift dive, making local guide expertise essential for managing currents and timing. It caters to Open Water certified divers comfortable with moderate to strong currents in the Pass, and intermediate to advanced divers for the Wall. Divers should be proficient in buoyancy control and gas management due to the prevailing current.

Dive site facts: Paso de Cedral

Depth

9–30 m

Current

Moderate

Entry

Liveaboard only

Level

Intermediate

Dive type

Reef, Reef

Region / port

Mexico

Coordinates

20.4148° N, 87.0373° W

Conditions & Currents

Paso de Cedral is defined by its moderate to strong north-running currents, making it a classic Cozumel drift dive. Divers should be prepared for continuous movement, utilizing reef structures and ledges for shelter when the flow intensifies. Visibility is typically very clear, ranging from 80 to 100 feet in the turquoise Caribbean water, providing excellent views despite the movement. Entry is exclusively by boat, and a local Cozumel operator is crucial for precise current timing and pickup management, often requiring a negative entry. There are no notable thermoclines or significant surge issues. Due to the variable current, good buoyancy control and careful gas management are essential, particularly for the deeper wall sections, which are better suited for intermediate to advanced divers. Stay close to your guide and be aware of your air consumption.

Liveaboards diving Paso de Cedral

These liveaboards may visit Paso de Cedral on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Nautilus Explorer

Mexico

25 guests44.8 m

$230/day

Valentina

Mexico

20 guests38.1 m

$430/day

Rocio del Mar

Mexico

20 guests33.5 m

$392/day

Nautilus Under Sea

Mexico

19 guests32 m

$261/day

Nautilus Belle Amie

Mexico

32 guests44.8 m

$249/day

Quino del Mar

Mexico

20 guests36 m

$392/day

Nautilus Gallant Lady

Mexico

12 guests35.36 m

$332/day