Cozumel is a world-renowned diving destination, and for good reason. With its crystal-clear waters, vibrant reefs, and diverse marine life, it’s a diver’s paradise. But there’s more to Cozumel diving than just reefs. In recent years, blackwater diving has become increasingly popular, and Cozumel is one of the best places in the world to experience this unique underwater adventure.
Blackwater diving is a type of night diving that takes place in the open ocean, away from the reef. Divers descend to depths of around 300 meters (1000 feet), where they use powerful lights to attract marine life from the mesopelagic zone, the layer of water between 200 and 1000 meters deep.
The mesopelagic zone is a mysterious and fascinating realm, home to a wide variety of marine life that is rarely seen by humans. Many of these creatures are bioluminescent, meaning they can produce their own light. This creates an otherworldly spectacle as divers are surrounded by a shimmering cloud of light.
Blackwater diving in Cozumel offers the chance to see a wide variety of marine life, including:
- Barreleye fish
- Dragonfish
- Viperfish
- Hatchetfish
- Bioluminescent jellyfish
- Squid
- Octopus
Blackwater diving is an advanced scuba diving activity, and it is important to be well-trained and experienced before attempting it. This is because of the deep depths involved and the lack of visual references. Divers must also be able to dive in open ocean conditions and be comfortable with drift diving.
If you are interested in blackwater diving in Cozumel, there are a number of dive shops that offer this activity. It is important to choose a reputable dive shop with experienced guides who can help you to have a safe and enjoyable dive.
Here are some tips for blackwater diving in Cozumel:
- Make sure you are an experienced diver with good buoyancy control.
- Be comfortable with drift diving and diving in open ocean conditions.
- Choose a reputable dive shop with experienced guides.
- Be aware of the risks involved in deep diving.
- Take your time and enjoy the experience!
What to expect on a blackwater dive
A blackwater dive typically begins with a briefing from the dive guide, who will discuss the safety procedures and what to expect during the dive. Divers will then board a boat and head out to the dive site.
Once at the dive site, the boat crew will deploy a lighting array. This is a series of powerful lights that will attract marine life from the mesopelagic zone. Divers will then enter the water and descend to a depth of around 300 meters (1000 feet).
Once at depth, divers will simply float around and enjoy the spectacle. The lights will attract a wide variety of marine life, including many bioluminescent creatures. This creates an otherworldly experience as divers are surrounded by a shimmering cloud of light.
Blackwater dives typically last for around 60 minutes. After the dive, divers will return to the boat and head back to shore.
Blackwater diving is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. If you are an experienced diver looking for a new challenge, I highly recommend giving it a try in Cozumel. Cindy Trautwein resident of 16 years and concierge of FliptoursCozumel.com is happy to give you recommendations.
