Freediving Isla Cozumel, Playa Corona to Sky Reef

Playa Corona and Sky Reef, Cozumel, Mexico — Playa Corona and Sky Reef by Andre Navarro

This is beautiful and secluded Playa Corona to Sky Reef of Isla Cozumel, Mexico ! Roughly 4 miles south of Centro, down a quiet two lane road with a non stop gorgeous ocean views. I rode an old rusty beat up bicycle to and from these locations daily. At the time, I did not appreciate the ride and only looked forward to the dives. I would actually dread the bike ride due to the heat and drain of energy. But I especially loved the scenic ride on the way back, after diving. Tired and hungry, I couldn't wait to get back to my room to chow down and rest in lay air conditioning. That's when the beautiful Caribbean ocean view kicked in, on the way back.

On one side, there’s the turquoise to light sky blue ocean and on the other, the dark green lush jungle. And above, the gigantic perfectly blue sky. The sky seems so much bigger here. I know that doesn’t quite make sense, but it does. It’s like a living painting of nature at it’s finest. After a few rides to and from, I started to look forward to the bike rides just as much as diving. After leaving the island, the bike rides actually stuck in my memory and dreams more than the dives. Now when I see images of this road in between the jungle and ocean, I feel a deep sense of longing.

Highway to Playa Corona and Sky Reef, Cozumel — Highway to Playa Corona and Sky Reef by Andre Navarro

Exploring this area of the island is much different than Centro. Even though it's only a few miles from the city and cruise ships, there are minimal people and cars here. It feels very secluded and laid back, almost lonely. The entire route is flanked with a rocky shore reef just feet from the road. You can pull over anywhere and jump right in.

But when you know where to go for the best underwater environments, that’s where I head. Playa Corona and Sky Reef are right next to each other. Both are day use beach clubs with bar and restaurant. You can pay a day use fee and use their chairs or just place your stuff on the ground nearby for free. Many people do both. Playa Corona has an amazing shore reef that starts just south of it. It ranges in depth of a few feet to 4 feet deep. Here, you’ll enjoy hundreds of Purple Sea Fans as far as you can see. The water is crystal clear, almost like looking into the sky.

Purple Sea Fans of Cozumel — Purple Sea Fans by Andre Navarro

Purple Sea Fan and Feather Duster Worms of Cozumel — Feather Duster Worms on Purple Sea Fan by Andre Navarro

Yellowtail Parrotfish of Cozumel, Mexico — Yellowtail Parrotfish by Andre Navarro

Aside from Purple Sea Fans, you'll find other cool corals like the highly endangered Elk Horn Corals, Bladed Fire Corals and many other soft corals. Where it's dense with corals, you'll find many fish cruising about. The most common are Parrotfish, like the Yellowtail Parrotfish and French Grunts. The fish population is very diverse here and you'll see many colorful groups. A rare sight is the very small white Feather Duster Worms. They flutter in the water like little underwater flowers. But they are filter feeding worms that depend on the current to bring them food.

There are also abundant Caribbean Sea whips, Sea Plumes and Sponges. They resemble underwater plants with branches, but they are not. They are all animals, which include the hard corals. Where corals are abundant, so are fish. You'll often find groups of Snappers of several species hanging out together. As you explore the shore reef south towards Sky Reef, you'll see different species of fish constantly. You will also notice the shallow shore reef changes from lush to sparse. It's at this transition we head further out towards the deeper Sky Reef.

Snappers along the shallow reef, Cozumel — Snappers along the shallow Reef by Andre Navarro

Soft Corals of Cozumel, Mexico — Diverse Corals along shallow reef by Andre Navarro

As we cut across the front of Sky Reef, it's about a 100 yard swim to the deeper reefs at the drop off. This reef runs under the length of the rope and buoys out front of Sky Reef, to keep the boats from hitting people. The deeper reef varies in depth from the top of the drop off from 8 to 10' to the bottom of the drop off 14 to 20'. But don't worry about how empty it gets along the way, you're in for a surprise once the environment changes back to lush with corals and hundreds of fish.

However, along the way, there is still much to see, just spread out. Coming up along the way, we'll explore a man made reef out of an old cement pier. Continuing across Sky Reef, you'll come across many interesting sponges and soft corals. One of my favorite large sponges are Netted Barrel Sponges which resemble large green vases. Always check inside for an added surprise, as often sea stars like to hangout there. Another favorite soft coral resembles a fuzzy tree. I can never find the species, but it's unique and stands out among the other sea plumes and sea whips. I also especially like the long finger looking Rope Sponge.

Netted Barrel Spong of Cozumel, Mexico — Netted Barrel Sponge by Andre Navarro

Soft Coral of Cozumel, Mexico — Soft Coral by Andre Navarro

Rope Sponge of Cozumel, Mexico — Rope Sponge by Andre Navarro

Along the way, I came across this cement small end of a pier, now fish reef. It has many Purple Sea Fans on one side and several groups of fish on the other. The largest group present are yellow French Grunts. There are also many different Snapper species present all hanging out together along with Sgt. Majorfish, Bermuda Chubs, Surgeonfish and even a large Spotfin Porcupinefish.

This is an awesome location to dive down and relax while watching the ocean life. It’s like a small, underwater city with lot’s of action. There are so many diverse fish here, it’s fun to try to identify them all. After spending what feels like 45 minutes here, I forced myself to move on. I remind myself there is so much more to see at the Sky Reef drop off and it will take some time to explore it all. So I move on.

Spotfin Porcupinefish of Cozumel, Mexico — Spotfin Porcupinefish by Andre Navarro

Grey Snappers of Cozumel, Mexico — Grey Snappers by Andre Navarro

Caribbean fish of Cozumel, Mexico — Caribbean fish by Andre Navarro

Once you’re halfway to the outer reef drop off in front of Sky Reef, you can easily see the rope and buoys that are along the top. So I swim to the southern beginning of the buoys so I can explore the entire area in one pass. About 100 feet before reaching the buoys, begins many coral clusters spread out, with lot’s of fish swimming to and from. The closer you get to the buoys, the closer together and larger the coral clusters are, with increasing fish per cluster.

Each coral cluster is teeming with life. They are unique little ocean cities comprised of corals, hard and soft, sponges, algae, mollusks, crustaceans, fish and if your lucky, sharks and rays. Of each coral cluster, you’ll almost always find a Longspine Squirrelfish, with their big black eyes, pink body and yellow fins, they are hard to miss. They’re usually busy patrolling the corals and keeping a close eye on the other nearby fish. Each coral cluster looks like a creative sculpture, colorful with all sorts of shapes and textures.

Bluestriped Grunt of Cozumel — Bluestriped Grunt by Andre Navarro

Sky Reef coral life, Cozumel, Mexico — Sky Reef coral life by Andre Navarro

Longspine Squirrelfish of Cozumel — Longspine Squirrelfish by Andre Navarrro

After spending several hours diving down to the coral clusters right above the drop off, it’s time to cruise the drop off. The difference in depth is big and most people can’t make it down to the bottom of the drop off. 30 feet past the drop as far as you can see is empty. But at the drop off is full of life and lot’s of fish. Large French and Grey Angelfish are common here and fun to swim with as they are curious and don’t spook easily. There are large groups of every fish mixed together. As long as you swim slowly through them, they just part down the middle for you to get bye.

Freediving Cozumel Sky Reef — Freediving Sky Reef by Andre Navarro

Sky Reef, Cozumel, Mexico — Sky Reef by Andre Navarro

French Angelfish of Cozumel, Mexico — French Angelfish by Andre Navarro

After exploring the shore reef of Playa Corona, above and below the drop off at the deeper Sky Reef, it's time to head back. This is a long day and you'll definitely feel it later. But at the time, my mind says keep going, keep exploring, keep my imagination firing in full color and emotion. During these dives, the rest of the world disappears. It's just me, the ocean life and the soothing water. When I wake up the next morning, sore and hungry, I can't wait to go back for more !

Freediving Cozumel Mexico, Sky Reef — Freediving Sky Reef by Andre Navarro

The accompanying Youtube videos are first hand footage captured by Andre Navarro while freediving Playa Corona to Sky Reef of Isla Cozumel, Mexico. You can also view hundreds of beautiful photos of the awesome ocean life and underwater environments of Isla Cozumel in the Photos section, Images of Isla Cozumel, Mexico

Published by: Andre Navarro of Ocean Earth Green

I’m Andre Navarro, Southern California freediver and underwater videographer. I create ocean life adventure videos to connect viewers to our amazing underwater world to motivate stronger conservation and ocean life awareness. You can follow my ocean adventures here at OceanEarthGreen.com and view all my current and past videos at Youtube.com/OceanEarthGreen.

Freediving Isla Cozumel, Playa Corona to Sky Reef

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