Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park . It is considered part of the barrier reef called “Great Belt of Reefs of the Western Atlantic” also known as “Great Mayan Reef” and belongs to the Mesoamerican Reef System .
Summary
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- 1 Features
- 2 Location
- 3 Terrestrial fauna
- 4 Marine flora and fauna
- 5 Reefs to Dive in Cozumel
- 6 External links
- 7 Sources
features
The island of Cozumel is mostly surrounded by coral reefs, however the park area is included in the southern half of the island, south of the international piers, and surrounding the western and southern coasts and a portion from the east coast. It constitutes a natural resource of great importance for the regional economy, since recreational, conservation, use, education, dissemination and monitoring activities are carried out there. At a distance of 40 km to the northwest is the Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park, already a distance of 60 km to the southwest is the Tulum National Park.
Location
It is located in the municipality of Cozumel, in the state of Quintana Roo , approximately 16.5 km east of the Yucatan Peninsula , in the northwestern Caribbean area. It is located on the Caribbean island, covering part of the SW, S and SE coast. The extreme geographic coordinates are 20 ° 29 ‘02.93 ”and 20 ° 14’ 27.02” North latitude and 86 ° 53 ‘11.54 ”and 87 ° 03 ‘32.07 ”West longitude, with a total maritime land area of 11,987-87-50.
Terrestrial fauna
Although the park is mostly maritime, the terrestrial part is home to amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals for a total of 136 species, of which the freshwater turtles (Geomyda areolata), the crocodile (Crocodylus acutus), stand out. pelicans (pelecanus occidentalis), frigate birds (fregata magnificens), bat (mycronycteris megalotis mexicana), gray fox (urocyon cinereoargenteus), dwarf raccoon (procyon pygmaeus), etc.
Marine flora and fauna
The reefs are made up of a coral community that, like all of its kind, are among the most diverse and complex in the seas. Thousands of organisms typical of tropical waters inhabit it, where hundreds of species from all kingdoms are represented. Corals (hard and soft), zoanthids and hydrozoans stand out from the animal kingdom, as well as sponges, crustaceans, mollusks, echinoderms and reef fish, among them. Spotted Cleaner Shrimp (Periclimenes yucatanicus), Green Moray (Gymnothorax funebris), Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). Plant communities are represented both by algae, of which there is a huge variety, and by sea grasses. the cyanobacteria they are of great ecological relevance and, like many microorganisms, are very abundant in this ecosystem.
Reefs to Dive in Cozumel
- Paradise. His name says it all. This reef is a quiet place where everything seems to be ideal; the visibility is excellent and the schools are second to none. In addition, its location right in front of the cruise ship dock, in the center of the tourist area, makes it the most accessible place on the island. Paraíso is easy to navigate, making it ideal for night dives or inexperienced divers. Its beautiful cliff is decorated with large barrel sponges and elephant ears, so coveted by underwater photographers. Like the vast majority of reefs, the average depth of immersion in Paraíso is 15 to 30 meters.
- Chankanaab. Although the Mayans call it “little sea”, the Chankanaab natural aquarium is a lagoon that is part of the national reserve of the same name. Due to the tranquility of its waters, the lagoon has become the most visited place on the island, since it is possible to practice free diving –without a tank– or sports with complete safety. Its reefs are home to very striking fish colonies, and on its sandy bed the remains of some sunken ships and the image of the Christ of Cozumel are patiently waiting to be discovered by the intrepid who, by lungs, descend beyond 10 meters deep.
- Yucab. Not only is it a reef with a wonderful name, but it is probably one of the longest reefs on the continent. Its great strip of underwater gardens extends over an area of 1,500 m long and 20 wide, requiring two or three dives to go from beginning to end. It is not a very deep reef, between 12 and 15 m deep; however, a great variety of marine species is concentrated, highlighting its sponges, some crustaceans, nudibranchs and all kinds of corals. Yucab is located right in the middle of the park, between Tormentos and San Francisco, on the southwest coast of the island, where most of the important ecotourism reefs are located.
- San Francisco. The cliff of this reef improves with depth, especially between 25 and 35 m, where the exotic yellow tube sponge abounds. At this site, you travel a slight incline that leads to the plains covered with sea grass, where large species such as moray eels, cat sharks and, seasonally, large mantas are frequently found. These sandy plains function as corridors between coral structures, so the transit of predatory species is common. The dive continues ascending through soft sand dunes, ending on another platform at a depth of 15 meters, in which a sensation of emptiness is experienced in the infinite space of the sea.
- Santa Rosa. Its great reef wall is another of the sites that remain in the memory of divers. Located north of Palancar, the coral structure begins at a depth of 18 meters to descend until it loses itself in a deep blue that goes beyond our limits. Between 25 and 30 meters you can see beautiful specimens of gorgonians and brightly colored sponges, as well as abundant marine life. But without a doubt it is the appearance of the Hawksbill Turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) its main attraction. The intense current, typical of these waters, forces drift dives, so the site is not recommended for beginners.
- Leverage. It is located two kilometers from the south coast of the island. Recognized as one of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world, Palancar offers everything a sport diver can dream of: healthy coral colonies, colorful fans, giant sponges and an abundant variety of tropical fish. But it is its fascinating caves and pronounced abysses that amaze the thousands of adventurers who come every day to enjoy this natural wonder. The island is full of spectacular sites, but Palancar is by far the most popular. The immersion averages range from 20 to 30 meters, where the greatest variety of marine species is concentrated.
- Maracaibo. This and Barracudas are the most extreme places in the marine park. Maracaibo for the technical degree of the dives and its strong currents, while Barracudas is noted for its jagged guardians. Maracaibo is little frequented, although that does not mean that it is not a special place; on the contrary, its coral structure, which stretches almost a kilometer long, is an invitation to adventure. What makes access to this great reef difficult is its location, on the southern tip of the island. The other aspect is its technical degree; for this reason, this is a selective site.