Tormentos Reef
One of the Riviera Maya’s premier scuba diving sites, Tormentos Reef is located off the coast of Cozumel and houses a rich variety of marine life. Here you can find purple and orange coral structures upward of 30 feet (9 meters) in height, tunnels hiding nurse sharks and sea turtles, and huge manta rays nestled in the sand.
The Basics
With a depth of roughly 50 feet (15 meters), strong currents, and numerous tunnels, Tormentos Reef is classified as an intermediate-level scuba-diving site. Diving tours typically leave from Cancun or Cozumel, often visiting other dive sites along with Tormentos Reef such as Palancar Gardens, the Santa Rosa Wall, or La Herradura. Round-trip transportation to the reef, lunch, and diving equipment are provided on some tours.
Things to Know Before You Go
Tormentos Reef is a must-see attraction for wildlife lovers and scuba divers.
Remember to bring sun protection, a swimsuit, and plenty of water.
It’s a good idea to wear a wetsuit or rash guard while diving or snorkeling to protect against the sun, jellyfish, and rough coral surfaces.
The current at Tormentos Reef is strong, so plan your air accordingly for dives.
Be careful not to touch or disturb the wildlife.
Evidence of dive certification is required to participate in certified dives.
How to Get There
Tormentos Reef is located off the island of Cozumel near Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. To get there, you can opt for a private charter boat or a guided tour.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
You can visit Tormentos Reef year-round, but it’s busiest from December through April, when the weather tends to be sunny and warm. There are fewer crowds during hurricane season (May through October), but be sure to check the weather for storms.
Cozumel’s Coral Reefs
Cozumel is best known for its expansive coral reefs, some of the largest in the world. Paradise Reef and the Palancar Gardens are ideal spots for novice divers and snorkelers due to their shallow depth, and offer a chance to glimpse sea turtles, moray eels, colorful fish, towering coral spires, and gently waving sea fans. The Palancar Caves are probably the most famous dive site, with huge brain corals and swim-through tunnels. The Palancar Horseshoe is another massive formation of corals.
- Things to do in Riviera Maya & the Yucatan
- Things to do in Playa del Carmen
- Things to do in Tulum
- Things to do in Cancun
- Things to do in Costa Maya
- Things to do in Merida
- Things to do in Ambergris Caye
- Things to do in Belize City
- Things to do in Hopkins
- Things to do in San Pedro Sula
- Things to do in Grand Cayman
- Things to do in Panajachel
- Things to do in San Pedro La Laguna
- Things to do in The Cayes
- Things to do in Central Highlands
- Cozumel Cruise Port
- Paradise Reef (Paraíso Reef)
- Santa Rosa Wall
- Columbia Reef
- Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park
- Discover Mexico Park Cozumel
- El Mirador Lookout
- Plaza del Sol
- Punta Sur Eco Beach Park (Faro Celerain Ecological Reserve)
- Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park
- Playa Uvas Beach Club
- El Cedral
- San Gervasio Mayan Ruins
- Cozumel Museum (Museo de la Isla de Cozumel)
- Corona Beach (Playa Corona)