The Beaches of Cozumel

Visitors far and wide come to Cozumel to explore the world-renowned Maya Reef, which wraps 20 miles around the south-western tip of the island. Divers use the beaches along this part of the island as a home base, where developers have strategically placed hotels and diving shops.

The popular white beaches of the island’s leeward (westward) side include: Playa Corona, San Clemente, San Francisco, Sol, and Palancar. Beach clubs dot the coast line, some charging relatively small admission fees or none at all (if you purchase food and drink). The water is shallow and the rocky shoreline provides the best access to shore diving.

The windward (eastern) side of the island offer beaches that are more secluded and are almost never infiltrated by cruise ship passengers. The eastern side is marked by its powdery soft sand offset by blue-green waters. The surf on this side of the island is rough, so swimmers beware. There are also sudden drops along the ocean floor. If you can make it over to this underdeveloped side of the island, two nice beaches to visit are Playa de San Martin, and the more southern Playa Paradiso.

The Northwest coast is home to the Cozumel Country Club and the nearby airport. But the northern Playa San Juan and Santa Pilar are nice beaches with good snorkeling as well. Most hotels along this part of the coast offer ladders leading to the water.