Cozumel: Mexico's Caribbean Diving Capital

Cozumel, Mexico's largest Caribbean island, offers Essex County travelers world-renowned diving and snorkeling in the protected Mesoamerican Reef system, the second-largest coral reef in the world, all easily accessible via direct flights from Newark to Cancun followed by a scenic 45-minute ferry ride. This island paradise maintains a more laid-back, authentic Mexican feel compared to the built-up Cancun and Riviera Maya, with local families still living in the main town of San Miguel alongside tourists, creating genuine cultural experiences. The island's west coast features calm, crystal-clear waters perfect for diving and beach clubs, while the wild east coast offers dramatic waves, pristine beaches, and beachfront restaurants where you're the only guests. Jacques Cousteau put Cozumel on the diving map in the 1960s, and the island has carefully protected its reefs since, resulting in healthy coral formations teeming with tropical fish, turtles, rays, and nurse sharks visible even to snorkelers. Beyond the water, Cozumel surprises with Mayan ruins, a tequila heritage trail, excellent local cuisine, and some of Mexico's safest streets, making it perfect for independent exploration by rental car or scooter.