Columbia Reef
Columbia Reef
5
About
Giant sea turtles and groupers await those with the courage (and the experience) to brave the fierce currents at this diving site.
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,186 reviews
Excellent
972
Very good
162
Average
40
Poor
9
Terrible
3
PK
Naples, FL105 contributions
Dec 2021
I'd chalk this up to the worst snorkel trip we've ever taken. The boat was an hour late picking us up. They crowded too many people on boat. And when we finally got into the water, they were feeding the fish for photo opps rather than actually trying to SEE fish! I wish I could tell you the boat company, but it was booked by others.
Written January 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lynea M
Waialua, HI32 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
Columbia reef was great. So clear. We saw 3 eagle rays, an eel, lobster, turtle, loads of fish. This reef is not as deep as Palancar so it’s easier to dive down to explore while snorkeling. The current wasn’t as strong either so it was easier to stay over the reef. We did a 4 hour tour that went to Palancar, Columbia, El Cielo and el cielito. We are strong swimmers and love snorkeling and diving down. If we could do it over, I’d take a 2 hour tour that only went to Palancar and Columbia. The boats are super uncomfortable so skipping the last two would be ok for us. El Cielo is just a sandy bottom with loads of starfish - cool, but I’d rather see more reef. El cielito is about waist deep and is solely for taking pictures in pretty water and drinking your beer or juice.
Written December 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maria Alice N
Sao Paulo, SP55 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
To me that was the least interesting reef I was in Cozumel: the water is darker and the fish only come around to you because the guy in your tour boat is throwing food at them. Not much of natural life.
Also, I had the impression that the reef is darker and (probably, in my opinion) suffering from human action. So tip: use environmentally friendly sunscreen/ DO NOT use bronzer nor any other type of chemical stuff to help to tan and help to conserve the reef!
Also, I had the impression that the reef is darker and (probably, in my opinion) suffering from human action. So tip: use environmentally friendly sunscreen/ DO NOT use bronzer nor any other type of chemical stuff to help to tan and help to conserve the reef!
Written September 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flashby
Durango, CO1,373 contributions
May 2011
We went out with our resorts Dive Palancar boat. About dozen of snorkelers with a guide in the water. At $29 a head, the best bang for our Cozumel buck. We also stopped at El Cielo for starfish gazing and turtle spotting and of course Palancar. But Columbia was beautiful. Fan, stag horn, and all other kinds of coral, animal life and colors. The viz was great, depth was perfect and the current just takes you. I thought it was stunning to see that reefs still look this good. Even more amazed that I am the first reviewer. One of the best reefs I have seen in my travels.
Written May 10, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dontomas K
Grants Pass, OR6 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Great visibility, mind-blowing variety of aquatic life and coral formations to see, very smooth current to drift along with. Can get crowded but no more than any zoo or amusement park you'll ever go to. However, at Palancar you can also work on your scuba skills!
Written February 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stansky2
New London, CT71 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
Took a taxi to Playa Palancar. ($25 each way). Waited until the dive boats went out and there were enough people for snorkeling. Boat took us to the reef and then drifted with us, so you didn't have to fight the current back. First El Cielo reef: huge starfish, a ray. very little coral. But then we went to Columbia reef: wow! Great coral, a large bony lobster, barracuda. wonderful fish. The guides kept a bright life preserver to follow, and went down to point out things. Amazing snorkeling, and only $35pp +$5 for the national park fee. I would do this again! You don't need to take a ship or port tour for this.
Written February 15, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pacollo
Mexico City, Mexico6 contributions
Dec 2013 • Solo
I wend to Colombia, Palancar and El Cielo, but Colombia is definitely the best stop in that trip.
Wonderful sights, warm-ish water and a wide variety of marine life.
Obviously, the people taking us were trying to sell us pictures and a plethora of other things, but beyond that, it was a perfect experience (and I can't blame them for trying!).
Wonderful sights, warm-ish water and a wide variety of marine life.
Obviously, the people taking us were trying to sell us pictures and a plethora of other things, but beyond that, it was a perfect experience (and I can't blame them for trying!).
Written January 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chugg1457
Myrtle Beach, SC20 contributions
Dec 2013 • Family
We just went snorkeling here, but it was fabulous! Saw lots of fish, sea turtles, etc. I was the only diver in our group, but I still enjoyed the snorkeling here.
Written January 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MikeL-33133
Miami, FL208 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
On a recent visit to Cozumel (5/4/13 to 5/15/13), I got to snorkel Columbia Shallows twice and each time provided breathtaking experiences up close to Hawks Bill and Green Sea Turtles, Moray Eels, Octopus, Grouper, Barracuda, Angel Fish, Star Fish and many, many other types of tropical fish.
The drift snorkeling at Columbia Shallows is excellent and will take you northward up to Palancar Reef, which is another review and another great reef. Columbia Shallows is about 30' deep with magnificent coral structures of all shapes & sizes with heights of up to approx. 20' - 25'.
If you visit Cozumel and want to experience world-class snorkeling, then Columbia Shallows will offer you hours of ear to ear grinning while snorkeling and taking in some of the most beautiful underwater scenery in the world!
The drift snorkeling at Columbia Shallows is excellent and will take you northward up to Palancar Reef, which is another review and another great reef. Columbia Shallows is about 30' deep with magnificent coral structures of all shapes & sizes with heights of up to approx. 20' - 25'.
If you visit Cozumel and want to experience world-class snorkeling, then Columbia Shallows will offer you hours of ear to ear grinning while snorkeling and taking in some of the most beautiful underwater scenery in the world!
Written May 21, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ViDD
Dallas20 contributions
Aug 2011
What a wonderful place! Simply stunning variety and beauty of sea wildlife down there. I could stay all day down there. Just pick a tour boat service. Typically $30 bucks a head for snorkeling + $2 per head for the marine park service fee. Includes equipment and free drinks, water or beer. Some have a clear section in the middle for those that wont snorkel.
Just remember that if you have people that get dizzy easily you need to get a patch here in the states, or buy some Dramamine from the hotel shop.
Take a t-shirt and wear it. Sun block will melt away and no amount of reapplication will cover you for the amount of time you will be snorkeling with a hot sun on your back.
Crew divers will dive up to 40 feet to signal unique fish. Make sure you tip your boat captain and crew. If you can bring a species plastic card (available at most tour shops)with you so you can recall what to look for/remeber what you saw. And please dont throw any waste overboard at these places!
Just remember that if you have people that get dizzy easily you need to get a patch here in the states, or buy some Dramamine from the hotel shop.
Take a t-shirt and wear it. Sun block will melt away and no amount of reapplication will cover you for the amount of time you will be snorkeling with a hot sun on your back.
Crew divers will dive up to 40 feet to signal unique fish. Make sure you tip your boat captain and crew. If you can bring a species plastic card (available at most tour shops)with you so you can recall what to look for/remeber what you saw. And please dont throw any waste overboard at these places!
Written August 12, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
I’m newly(just this week) open water certified and my husband last dove about 2 years go he is also certified both of us with PADI and we would love to dive but I want to dive with an instructor since I’m so new. Is it possible to dive with an instructor to one of the sites?
Written March 13, 2019
Of course. Pro Dive is a the group we had used for the past three years.
Written June 8, 2019
Where’s the best snorkeling near the Grand Park Royal Cozumel?
Written January 16, 2019
Yes...snorkel at Columbia Reef, Palancar Reef, and El Cielo...all three are worth it. Your resort concierge/front desk can get you hooked up with a local snorkeling tour company. Enjoy! The water was so clear when we were out there last June (2018) even in somewhat choppy water. Sunny days are best.
Written January 20, 2019
any recommendations for a snorkeling tour/itinerary of columbia shallows/reef? i'm looking for a tour or drop off so that i can be in the water for a couple hours or so. thx.
Written May 22, 2018
Marazul aquatics
They are on Facebook. They will customize your visit to whatever you want. We spent two wonderful days on the water with them. They are hospitable, knowledgeable and very careful and safety conscious.
Written May 28, 2018
Hi I have my own snorkeling gear and was wondering if there is any good locations to go for snorkeling in Cancun while I will be there on a day trip from a cruise.
Written January 22, 2018
Not in Cancun. But in Isle Mujeres at Playa Nortes. You can snorkel right from the beach.
Written July 7, 2018
Hello! My twin and I are hoping to go to the Columbia Shallows to snorkel. How do we get there from the Ferry docks? Are there places to rent snorkels near the shallows, or should we do that before finding a taxi? Also, are the reefs accessible from shore, or is a boat needed?
Written December 29, 2017
You must take a boat. Columbia is too far south, and you must rent a boat. There are plenty of them!
Written January 7, 2018
I work in a cruise ship and gonna arrive in Cozumel.. How is far the diving center to the cruise terminal..?
I would like to do more then one diving..
Written December 23, 2016
you can find diving center's agent at the port (non cruise terminal). they will find you, don't worry
Written December 29, 2016
We used Dressel Divers out of the Iberostar. They have a location on property and several boats that leave from the resort pier. Amy is a wonderful guide.
Written December 8, 2016
Tera C
Twinsburg, Ohio
What time does it leave and return?
There is a group of 10 of us, where is this located?
Written April 3, 2016
Hola grpicone, voy a Cozum solo por un dia (crucero) me podras decir si contrataste la excursion en la isla, darme algun dato de como llegar, etc..Gracias!
Written October 24, 2015
Kevin T
Clarkston, Washington
How much does it cost for a day for 2 people to go snorkling
Written February 5, 2015
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