Scuba Diving in Paso del Cedral
Paso del Cedral is a vibrant underwater playground famous for its massive coral overhangs and some of the most consistent turtle sightings on the island. Discover why this thriving reef is a favorite for Diving in Cozumel as you drift alongside schooling fish and nurse sharks in a truly spectacular marine environment.
At A Glance
Depth Range
Pass: 40–60 ft | Wall: 60–90 ft, offering diverse profiles for multi-level drift diving
Skill Level
Pass: Intermediate Open Water certified | Wall: Intermediate to Advanced
Typical Visibility
80–100 ft, generally clear conditions providing great views of marine life
Current
Moderate to strong in the Pass; strong at the Wall classic Cozumel drift
Best For
Nurse shark sightings; Splendid Toadfish; macro photography; wall diving combined with reef
Marine Life Highlights
Nurse sharks, green moray eels, stingrays, Splendid Toadfish, schooling grunts and snappers, turtles, eagle rays in season
Site Type
Paso del Cedral two sections: Cedral Pass and Cedral Wall
Seasonal Closure
February–March (Marine Park rotation confirm current dates when booking)
Paso del Cedral Two Dive Sites in One Pass and Wall
Paso del Cedral is one of those dive sites In Cozumel that experienced divers return to repeatedly without finding it repetitive. It has two distinct characters depending on where you position the dive and how the current is running: Cedral Pass is a drift through a reef full of nurse sharks, cleaning stations, and swim-throughs; Cedral Wall is a vertical reef drop-off covered in vibrant corals and massive sponges, with some of the island’s best macro opportunities and regular turtle sightings.
Neither section gets the attention that Palancar or Santa Rosa Wall receive. Both sections consistently deliver better marine life encounters per dive than many sites with higher profiles. Divemasters who have been working these reefs for years come back to Cedral regularly that is the reliable endorsement.
Cedral Pass Drift, Nurse Sharks and the Splendid Toadfish
Depth: 40–60 ft
Skill level: Open Water certified; comfortable with moderate to strong current
The Pass opens with expansive low-profile caverns that mark the beginning of the drift. Nurse sharks rest in the sandy areas and under the overhangs in small groups several feet long, utterly unconcerned by divers who maintain the Marine Park’s required 1.5-metre distance. They are approachable in the sense that they do not flee, not in the sense that they should be approached. At Paso del Cedral, nurse shark sightings are among the most reliable of any site in the park.
Large moray eels occupy holes in the lower sections of the reef. Stingrays work the sandy gaps between formations. As the Pass progresses, schooling French grunts fill the overhangs in numbers that make the site feel alive in a way few Cozumel reefs achieve at these depths. Cleaning stations are busy the kind of stations where a guide stops the group to watch for several minutes and everyone understands why.
The Splendid Toadfish found nowhere in the world except Cozumel makes its appearances at Cedral Pass as reliably as at any site in the park. It hides in crevices at the base of coral formations. Guides who have been diving this reef for years know the crevices to check. If you are with a Pelagic Ventures guide and Splendid Toadfish is on your list, say so before the dive.
Cedral Wall Coral Drop-Off, Eagles Rays and Macro Life
Depth: 60–90 ft
Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced stronger current, more depth
The Wall begins where the reef drops away from the Pass, the coral growth increasing in density and verticality. The drop-off is covered in vibrant sponges and sea fans, with elephant ear sponges reaching several feet across in the deeper sections. Unlike the Pass, where the experience is shaped by the fish life, the Wall’s headline is the coral architecture the colours, the formations, the sheer density of encrusting life on the rock face.
Turtles are commonly spotted along the Wall, feeding on the sponges and resting in the overhangs. Eagle rays glide through in season the Wall’s open water sections make them visible at distance before they arrive. Moray eels occupy the crevices in the coral wall face. The macro life here rivals Tormentos: nudibranchs, arrow crabs, and small critters that reward photographers who slow down and look closely.
The current at the Wall can run hard. On fast-current days this becomes a high-speed drift along one of the most visually rich walls in the Marine Park. An SMB is recommended for the safety stop the current can carry divers away from the mooring area.
Marine Life at Paso del Cedral Nurse Sharks, Morays and the Splendid Toadfish
The reliably present species
Green moray eels
Multiple large individuals in the Pass and Wall sections; heads visible from holes throughout the dive.
Stingrays
Working the sandy areas in the Pass, often seen partially buried while hunting for small prey
French grunts
In the hundreds under the Pass overhangs, forming dense schools that move together in synchronized patterns
Hawksbill turtles
onsistent along the Wall section, frequently encountered grazing on sponges and resting near coral formations
Nurse sharks
Paso del Cedral is the most consistently reliable site in the Marine Park for nurse shark sightings. Multiple individuals rest in the sandy areas and overhangs of the Pass on almost every dive.
Splendid Toadfish
Endemic to Cozumel; consistent sightings reported at Paso del Cedral by guides who know the specific crevices to check.
Seasonal and occasional
Spotted eagle rays
December–March, gliding along the Wall in the blue
Blacktip reef sharks
Occasional, in the deeper water off the Wall; not routine but documented
Nudibranchs and arrow crabs
Macro life for photographers who look closely at the Wall face
Depth, Current and Certification Requirements at Paso del Cedral
Cedral Pass suits Open Water certified divers comfortable with moderate current. The Wall section involves greater depth and faster current and is better suited to intermediate and advanced divers. Both sections have been subjected to Marine Park seasonal closures currently approximately February–March and current closure status should be confirmed when booking.
An SMB is strongly recommended for the Wall section in particular, where the current can carry divers away from the boat’s position during the safety stop. A dive computer is essential for tracking no-decompression limits if the Wall section reaches 70–80 feet.
Frequently Asked Questions About Paso del Cedral Cozumel
Cedral Pass suits Open Water certified divers comfortable with moderate current. The depth is manageable and the marine life, particularly the nurse sharks and Splendid Toadfish, is exceptional for newer divers. The Wall section is better suited to intermediate and advanced divers.
Cedral Pass is a drift through a lower-profile reef with sandy areas, overhangs and caverns characterised by its fish life, nurse sharks, and cleaning stations. Cedral Wall is a vertical drop-off section with dense coral and sponge coverage characterised by its coral architecture, macro life, and eagle ray sightings in season. Both are part of the same site and can sometimes be dived in sequence.
No marine life encounter is guaranteed on a dive. Nurse sharks are commonly seen at Paso del Cedral and are one of the most reliably present species at this site but currents, time of day, and seasonal patterns affect what any individual dive will encounter.
The Marine Park rotates closures through Cedral approximately February–March each year for reef recovery. Confirm current closure status when booking Pelagic Ventures monitors this and will advise.
Ready to dive Paso del Cedral?
Book a two-tank trip with Pelagic Ventures maximum 8 divers per boat, Marine Park fee always included, 30+ years on this reef.