Santa Rosa Shallows
The depth of the reef at Santa Rosa Shallows is relatively shallow, reaching a maximum of 18m (60 feet). This makes it an ideal location for beginner divers or those who prefer to dive at shallower depths. The current in this area is mild, allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable diving experience.
Divers can expect to encounter a wide variety of marine life while exploring the buzzing reef system. These include magnificent spotted eagle rays, graceful nurse sharks, majestic sea turtles, elegant stingrays, elusive moray eels, and an abundance of vibrant reef fish. One of the highlights of this dive site is the opportunity to spot the endemic Splendid toadfish, a unique species found only in Cozumel.
Santa Rosa Shallows is also home to thriving coral formations and large, colorful sponges, adding to the visual appeal of the underwater landscape. With a visibility of 27 meters, divers can truly appreciate the beauty and diversity of the surrounding marine ecosystem.
Located close to Alberto's, Avenida Rafael Melgar, and Iberostar, Santa Rosa Shallows offers convenient access for divers staying in Cozumel. Whether you're a beginner diver or an experienced enthusiast, this dive site promises an unforgettable underwater adventure in the crystal-clear waters of Mexico.
Diving Conditions Score for Santa Rosa Shallows
Decent conditions, proceed with caution.
The score is based on a calculation of the current weather and sea conditions.
Dive Site Overview for Santa Rosa Shallows
Depth
18m
Visibility
27m
Experience Level
Weather Conditions for Santa Rosa Shallows
Wave Height
1.34m
Wind Speed
21.4 m/s
Water Temp
29°C
Visibility
15.94km
Cloud Cover
96%
Wave Period
6.15s
Air Temperature
30.9°C
Precipitation
0 mm
Dive Score Chart for Santa Rosa Shallows
Best time to dive: 8:00 with score 6.1305000000000005/10. Water conditions: Waves 1.28m, Wind 17.1 m/s.Best night dive time: 2:00 with score 5.766/10.
Chart showing hourly dive conditions including wave height, wind speed, water temperature, and visibility throughout the day.
Optimal diving conditions at Santa Rosa Shallows are affected by daylight hours. Sunrise occurs at 06:00 and sunset at 18:00, which impacts visibility and water temperature for scuba diving and snorkeling.
Score: 6.1/10
Waves: 1.28m (5.9s), Wind: 17.1 m/s
Score: 6.1/10
Waves: 1.24m (5.95s), Wind: 17.4 m/s
Score: 5.8/10
Waves: 1.14m, Wind: 11.6 m/s
Seasonal Analysis for Santa Rosa ShallowsAlpha
Historical patterns and best seasons for diving at Santa Rosa Shallows
The dive score combines all factors to rate overall diving conditions throughout the year. Higher scores indicate better diving conditions.
Monthly Dive Score Analysis - Seasonal Diving Conditions
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Seasonal DiveScore Chart
This chart displays monthly diveScore data throughout the year, showing seasonal patterns. The data is presented as a bar chart with an overlaid line graph.Dive scores range from 1 to 10, with 10 being optimal conditions.
Higher values indicate better diving conditions
Best Season for Santa Rosa Shallows
Winter
Winter offers the best overall diving conditions with calmer seas and better visibility, despite cooler temperatures.
Best Months for Santa Rosa Shallows
Ideal Conditions for Santa Rosa Shallows
Water Temp
27.1°C / 80.8°F
June
Visibility
14.3m / 46.9ft
November
Wave Height
1.3m / 4.3ft
November
Wave Period
8.0s
January
Seasonal Insights for Santa Rosa Shallows
Santa Rosa Shallows shows typical northern hemisphere patterns with July being the warmest month (27.8°C) and January the coldest (20.3°C). The calmest conditions typically occur in November with average wave heights of 1.3m and wave periods of 8.0s. The most comfortable wave conditions are in November with a low wave steepness ratio, creating gentler swells. January offers the longest wave periods (8.0s), creating more comfortable and predictable conditions for boat entries and exits. Ocean currents are slowest in January (0.5m/s) and strongest in January (0.5m/s). February is usually the driest month with 0.4mm of precipitation. For beginners, the best time to visit would be during November to January, when ocean conditions are calmer with long-period waves and currents are typically weaker. Experienced divers might enjoy the challenges and potentially better visibility during the shoulder seasons, with moderate currents that can improve marine life encounters.
Last updated: 1 min. ago - Jun 22, 2026