Villa Blanca Wall

The basics

The best way to explore Villa Blanca Wall is by scuba diving. While less frequented than the Palancar and Columbia reefs, Villa Blanca Wall attracts plenty of divers. Many tour operators offer excursions. Parts of the reef are accessible from the shore, while some parts require a dive boat to reach greater depths. Villa Blanca Wall is an intermediate dive, so anyone without diving experience should consider snorkeling instead as you need certification such as PADI to dive here.

Things to know before you go

• Villa Blanca Wall tends to have moderate currents; for that reason, a dive here is characterized as a “drift dive.” Check with tour operators about the current conditions before planning a dive.

• Bring an underwater camera to capture the colorful sea life on display, from moray eels and eagle rays to schools of jacks and spiky corals.

• If you plan on snorkeling (a great option, as the crystal-clear water offers excellent visibility), stick to the shallower sections of the reef closer to shore.

• Villa Blanca Wall is near the cruise port, so there is a risk that divers will be pulled toward the docks or even under a cruise ship. Use a dive flag and only head out with an experienced divemaster who can assess the currents.

How to get there

Villa Blanca Reef is near Cozumel’s southern cruise port. To get there from the downtown area, it’s a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute drive in a rental car or scooter. You can also arrange for a taxi to drop you off. Either rent snorkeling or diving equipment yourself or opt for a tour that includes gear.

When to get there

Cozumel is ideal for diving and snorkeling most of the year; it boasts around 300 diveable days annually. From May to September, crowds are at their thinnest (it’s the rainy season) but the water is still warm and gentle. Plan your trip from November to March for a better chance of spotting bull sharks or eagle rays. Morning dives tend to be calmer, so avoid the afternoon.

Become a certified scuba diver in Cozumel

Many diving operators on the island offer short certification programs that you can easily complete during your trip. PADI courses focus on the fundamentals of open-water diving. There are also refresher options for certified divers to sharpen existing skills. Anyone who doesn’t have time to complete the full training course can still hit the water during a discovery dive, a safer option for beginners in shallow waters close to shore.