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Columbia Reef

1,078 Reviews

#4 of 104 things to do in Cozumel

Features Animals

Nature & Parks, Reefs, Geologic Formations

Cozumel, Mexico

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Cozumel Snorkeling Tour: Palancar, Columbia and Cielo Reefs

Snorkeling

From $55.00*

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Traveler Overview

5.0 1,078 reviews

Excellent82%
Very good13%
Average3%
Poor1%
Terrible1%

Travelers talk about

“fish”(196 reviews)

“swim throughs”(52 reviews)

“great dive”(56 reviews)

About

Giant sea turtles and groupers await those with the courage (and the experience) to brave the fierce currents at this diving site.

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Cozumel, Mexico

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Questions & Answers

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See all 11 questions

kevin955

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.

May 22, 2018|

AnswerShow all 2 answers

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.

Lab0667

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.

January 21, 2018|

Answer

Not in Cancun. But in Isle Mujeres at Playa Nortes. You can snorkel right from the beach.

Kristen B

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?

December 29, 2017|

AnswerShow all 2 answers

You must take a boat. Columbia is too far south, and you must rent a boat. There are plenty of them!

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1 2 3 4

Travel Forum Posts

markintexas777

Houston, Texas

Best Reef for Snorkeling while at CRT & Best Boat Service... (2 Replies)

My wife and I loved Snorkeling Palancar Reef and Columbia Reef while Honeymooning in Cozumel last August. We will be at the CRT from March 5, 2009 thru March 12, 2009. We would like to know if there is a good Reef to snorkel while staying at the CRT? If so, what is the name of the Reef? What Boat Service or Tour Group would be good to use to see this Reef. Is there any Tours that take you over to the South end of Cozumel to Snorkel Palancar & Columbia Reef. Thanks for...More

February 02, 2009|

Response fromKnothead|

I'm sure you can take the Ferry from PDC over to Cozumel. It seems that the snorkeling in front of the hotel is not too bad if you go out a ways or down the beach a ways. I think you can borrow gear from the dive shop. We purchased our own snorkel, fins and mask a few years ago. They don't cost that much. I purchased Magnifier goggles off the internet which allows me to see without my glasses. I think I paid $30. Today we stopped by a local Dive shop just to check out snorkel vest. I...More

Bruce_Ch

Saint Louis, Missouri

Snorkeling reservation (6 Replies)

wanted to book a snorkeling to the Palancar and Columbia reef with Cozumel tours at a lower price than the cruiseline, but was informed we can only book through the cruiseline. Any good alternatives to book with? we have a group of 8 and really want to run low on budget without sacrificing the quality of snorkeling. Please let me know if you have any advice. We will appreciate it!

December 11, 2010|

Response fromMexigringa|

Well, you certainly don't need to book only through your cruise ship. That's just silly and said to keep you spending with them. But you knew that didn't you? lol My favorite snorkel tour is no longer up and running, but more than five years ago I paid $60/person for an all day tour. My guess is that it is more costly now. I would expect between 80-100/person. You don't want to do the Fury Catamarans because they are partying more than snorkeling and I don't think they have permission to...More

beachtravelnut

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

What reef can you swim to from Punta Sur? (3 Replies)

We went on a snorkel tour to Columbia reef today. Is that the one you can swim to from Punta Sur? If not is it one you can get to from shore? We want to spend more time there. It was amazing!

July 09, 2017|

Response frommdp1915|

No & No. You'll like the shallowness of the Punta Sur reef even more.

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Reviews (1,078)

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Peter69_96

Wake Forest, North Carolina

5714

Reviewed 2 days ago

as good as ever

Columbia deep is still a great dive site but Columbia shallows should not be overlooked with its diversity of small sea life.

Date of experience: December 2018

Thank Peter69_96

carlkerby

Cincinnati, Ohio

12625

Reviewed 4 days ago

FAVORITE!

Columbia Reef has to be one of my favorites. It is beautiful and has amazing visibility! You will love it!

Thank carlkerby

Derrick M

aurora, United States

152

Reviewed 1 week ago

Amazing swim throughs

Massive reef formations with a LOT of nice swimthroughs. Visibility was REALLY good and water was warm, even in November.

Date of experience: November 2018

Thank Derrick M

Linda H

Best reef we have ever experienced. Worth every second of your time. We booked this excursion on our own while on a Princess Cruise. Small groups which is one of the big things I liked about this excursion. Cruise bookings are rushed and all you...More

Thank Linda H

mogliQ

Minneapolis, Minnesota

11836

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

Great formations and sea life

While scuba diving, we spotted at least 3 splendid toadfish, Christmas anemone, 4 types of eels, rays, among other things. Great dive location.

Thank mogliQ

Ericw L

Reviewed November 6, 2018

Love it!

We have dove this reef dozens of times and have seen something new every visit. I suggest Papa Hogs for dive companies.

Date of experience: July 2018

1 Thank Ericw L

JustDiveIn

Chicago, Illinois

1371016

Turtles, turtles, turtles

Another beautiful reef with a friendly nurse shark. Ended up at this reef three times during our week of diving, there is always plenty to see. There are a few caves but it a great place to see plenty of large green sea turtles.

Date of experience: June 2018

1 Thank JustDiveIn

tessanotebaert

Flagstaff, Arizona

114

Reviewed November 5, 2018

Beautiful Snorkaling

Amazing snorkaling! We went with a catameran guided trip! Furry, I beleive, tons of fun, highly recommend!

Date of experience: October 2018

Thank tessanotebaert

Karen W

Reviewed November 4, 2018

snorkeled wtih choc choc tours and rentals

excellent!!! I really liked this tour. we went 3 places and the crew was top notch. It requires and lot of swimming. If you out of shape it may not be for you. I loved it!!

Thank Karen W

craigb489

Seattle, Washington

Reviewed November 1, 2018

My favorite reef in Cozumel !

awsome Reef ! loved it .. the corals are so amazing .. highly recommend this site .. you will love it

Date of experience: December 2017

Thank craigb489

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Columbia Reef, Cozumel: Address, Columbia Reef Reviews: 5/5

Columbia Reef

This attraction features animals