What Is Drift Diving?
Imagine flying — the superhero kind. Neutrally buoyant, barely kicking, the ocean carrying you along a wall of coral at 1-2 knots.
Cozumel does it better than almost anywhere on Earth.
Why Cozumel Is Perfect
The Yucatan Current creates a consistent south-to-north current along the western reef system. The boat drops you upstream, you drift, and it picks you up downstream.
Essential Skills
Buoyancy Is Everything
The current will push you into coral if you are not properly weighted.
The Safety Sausage
A Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) is mandatory. Deploy it from depth so the boat can track you.
Your First Drift Dive
| Phase | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Briefing | Current direction, drift path, pickup procedure |
| Entry | Giant stride, immediate descent |
| The drift | Relax, maintain depth, enjoy the ride |
| Safety stop | Deploy SMB at 5m, drift during your 3-minute stop |
Recommended First Sites
- Paradise Reef — Gentle current, shallow
- Chankanaab Reef — Moderate current, beautiful formations
- Yucab Reef — Easy drift with lots of marine life