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Guide to Cozumel Beaches
Cozumel island has three distinct types of beaches:
  • Sandy walk-in beaches on the west or leeward side of the island generally have calm water. Snorkeling may be disappointing in the sandy areas since any disturbance on a sandy bottom [waves, walking, jumping, playing] suspends sand particles in the water which decrease visibility and make it very hard for coral polyps to thrive. Without coral for camoflage and protection, one will not see as much marine life.

  • Beaches with a rocky limestone shoreline on the west coast are the best forsnorkeling or shore dives since less sand is disturbed so visibility and coral growth are better.

  • Sandy surf and large waves alternating with rocky limestone coastlines on the east or windward side of the island are beautiful but can be dangerous. The roaring surf creates strong breakers and undertows. Never enter the water alone. Swimming is not recommended on most of the east side beaches. There are now many areas where flags are displayed showing the level of safety for a particular area. Despite the dangerous swimming conditions, these beaches are stunning and serene for those wanting sunbathing, long walks or playing in the water very close to shore.
Typical West (leeward) Beach
Typical East (windword) beach
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Cozumel Insider Beach Chart
Here is a Beach Chart with descriptions, photos, hours of operations and amenities! Just click on the names of each of the beaches for complete descriptions. May we suggest our: Do-it-youself Snorkel Tour
BEACHES

West Coast - North of San Miguel
Playa San Juan A E
Playa Azul A E
Playas Las Casitas S L
West Coast - South of San Miguel
Playa Calatita & Sun Park A L
Playa Villa Blanca E A
Playa Bella Vista E E
Sunset Beach E A
La Palapita E A
Marina Caleta Playa Paradise Reef E A
PalMar Estate Beach Club E E View All Coupons
Patas & Alas Butterfly Sanctuary E E View All Coupons
Dzul Ha Beach Club E A View All Coupons
Piratas Beach A A View All Coupons
Playa Uvas - Norte A L
Playa Uvas - Sur A E View All Coupons
Chankanaab National Park E L E View All Coupons
Playa Corona E A View All Coupons
Carlos N Charlie's Beach A E View All Coupons
Playa San Francisco S L E
Paradise Beach S E
Playa Sol - (Playa Mia) S L E
Mr. Sanchos S L E
Nachi-Cocom S E
Albertos Beach AKA Playa El Paso del Cedral S A View All Coupons
Playa Palancar S A View All Coupons
Punta Sur Ecological Park & Lighthouse A E
East Coast - Continuing from Southern Tip Northward
Paradise Café & Rasta's at Playa Box A
El Mirador
Playa Punta Chiqueros & Restaurant A
Playa San Martin & El Galeon A
Playa Chen Rio A L A View All Coupons
Coconuts A View All Coupons
Punta Morena L A View All Coupons
Playa Oriente & Sr. Iguana's A View All Coupons
Playa Oriente & Mezcalitos A View All Coupons
East Coast - Off Road by Tour Only
Punta Ixpalbarco
Playa Santa Cecilia
Playa Bonita Norte
Castillo Real
Punta Molas Lighthouse
Legend:
General: Yes / Available, C Entrance Coupon
Swimming: L Swimming with Lifeguard
Snorkeling: E Excellent, A Average
S Conditions Sparse due to lack of lack of coral in sandy beach areas
Restrooms: E Excellent, A Average
Beach Conservation - Do Your Part
Cozumel has a protected Marine Park area that extends from the southern cruise ship piers southward and all the way around the tip of the island and up the other (east) side to Punta Chiqueros. Inside this area, the taking of ANY items from the SEA OR BEACH is prohibited by federal law and punishable with fines and/or imprisonment if caught. Even shells that wash up on the shore can become a home for some critter so please leave them in place in order to help preserve the natural beauty of the area.

There are many stores and kiosks in town that sell shells however no one really knows the origin of these shells and if they were harvested from a protected area of the island or an open one. So in general, if your desire is to help our conservation efforts, it's best not to purchase shells at all. For this only encourages poaching and illegal harvesting when naturally available supplies are depleted.

I know they are all so beautiful and it is very tempting to say "well it's only one shell so..." But if you keep in mind that according to Carnival cruise lines recently, there will be a couple of MILLION cruise ship visitors this next year to Cozumel, then you can just imagine the impact if each person elects to take just one shell!

Perhaps consider adopting the SCUBA DIVER'S CREDO when travelling the world:

"Take only pictures and memories and leave only bubbles behind!"

~ Sherri ~
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Beach Safety is Important! "SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK"

Beach Warning and CautionsBring life vests for any persons with limited water skills wishing to partake in water activities.

Observe all beach signage and warning flags posted on beaches which indicate current swimming conditions.

While only a few years old, Cozumel's Lifeguard Program now has over 30 Lifeguards on duty daily and continues to develop. Read more here about our Lifesaving Program.
With this program, there are lifeguard towers and lifeguards at some beaches but not all of them.

So please be cautious and consider all beaches to be "SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK"

A few beachy things you might be interested in!
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 Design Your Very Own Custom Mainland Tour!
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 Cozumel by Jeep and Snorkel Tour
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 GEO Tracker Automobile from Less Pay
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 Cozumel Island Sites/San Gervasio Mayan Ruins
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 Jeep Automobile from Less Pay
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 Cozumel Franko's Island Map & Reef Creatures Card
Beautifully drawn and virtually indestructible Cozumel Map and Fish Identification cards showing lots of detail! From $9.95
 Zwick's Cozumel Chart (Island Map)
The original hand drawn, detailed historic reference chart of Cozumel Island is back and available only through Cozumelinsider. From $35
 Cozumel Fox Hill Underwater Video ~ The Beauty of Cozumel
Share the beauty of Cozumel's reefs with family and friends with this spectacular underwater video! Only $25
 Cozumel Fox Hill Underwater Video ~ Eagle Rays of Cozumel
Enjoy rare video footage of the grace of Cozumel's spotted eagle rays as they glide through Cozumel's crystal clear waters. Only $25
 Cozumel Punta Sur Ecological Reserve Tour
Adventure into the Ecological Reserve of Punta Sur to discover the largest variety of birds, turtles, fish and coral along with a visit to a lighthouse and museum. $100/person
 Cozumel Segway Adventure and Snorkel Tour
Can you imagine exploring Cozumel coastline while moving on a Segway personal transporter? Use one to make your way to the finest snorkeling on the island! $69 Adults/$69 Kids
Personal Experiences
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I want to take a moment to thank you at COZUMELINSIDER for all of your help. This is the first time I have ever booked activities such as these online and was very nervous about how it all worked. You took the time to answer all of my questions and even followed upwith a phone call to make sure you had all the information you needed to book the perfect vacation fun for my family. Thanks so much for making this a great experience! I can hardly wait to get there and enjoy all of these wonderful things! S. Daggett ~ Woodland Park, CO

Derrick and I had a great time. We got our fill of diving. On the 4th day in fact, I was so tuckered out, I didn't think I would make it, but we persevered and did all 15 tanks of your ISLAMAR/DIVE PARADISE Dive Package B! The break in the sun was exactly what the doctor ordered…..rest assured, you have my business in the future and I'm glad to have been lucky enough to have found someone who is renowned for their business acumen and operates with such respected integrity in the community. Thanks again for everything that you did Sherri! R. Dugan ~ Plano, TX

Sherri, I did receive both email confirmations. Thank you again for your great customer support and service in getting these activities scheduled for me. I will recommend your site to all of my friends who visit the island. Thanks again!! A. Washburn ~ Not Given

Sherri and her staff did everything under the sun to help us get on one of their shore excursions. Phone calls and emails were promptly acknowledged and answered cheerfully and professionally. These are "home" folks; no need to worry about language or accents getting in the way of success. Book with confidence, and have fun! J Meyers ~ San Antonio, Texas

Hello, I want to let you know that I visit your website all the time! I love it, so much information. I used you as a resource when I came to Cozumel for the first time about 2 years ago. Although my soon-to-be wife was there before, I needed to do some of my own homework. As for her, she and I will be getting married on June 22 at Hotel Cozumel and we are both really excited about it. I am so happy that you are able to put this website together for people like us who love Cozumel and can't be there as much as we want to be. Thanks again! John DeMaio ~ Milford, CT, USA
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