Just a short distance off Mexico’s sun-kissed Yucatán Peninsula lies the island paradise of Cozumel, where the Caribbean’s crystal-clear, bathtub-warm waters invite you in year-round. Beneath the surface, the reefs burst with life—graceful spotted eagle rays gliding overhead, nurse sharks cruising lazily by, sea turtles paddling along, and stingrays fanning the sandy seafloor. Peer into crevices and you might spot a shy moray eel or the brilliantly patterned splendid toadfish—found nowhere else on Earth but here in Cozumel’s waters.

Your home base is Iberostar Waves Cozumel, a 5-star all-inclusive escape nestled right beside one of the most legendary coral reef systems in the world. Just 12.5 miles from the international airport, this tropical hideaway blends adventure and relaxation seamlessly. The resort’s onsite dive center—complete with its own fleet of boats—whisks you to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second-largest coral reef on the planet. Whether you’re drifting past towering coral walls or exploring shallow gardens alive with color, every dive is a front-row seat to nature’s masterpiece.

Back on land, unwind in cozy, bungalow-style rooms surrounded by lush gardens, with easy access to shimmering pools, a tranquil spa, and a powder-soft white sand beach. Savor fresh, flavorful cuisine at the international buffet or themed restaurants, where menus change with the seasons to highlight the best local ingredients.

Best of all, Iberostar Waves Cozumel is perfectly positioned within 15 minutes of the island’s top dive sites, making it effortless to dive into Cozumel’s kaleidoscope of tropical fish, corals, and underwater wonders—then be back in time for sunset cocktails on the beach.

Please note: A standard credit card processing fee will apply to payments made by credit card for this trip. Paying directly via bank transfer (ACH) incurs no additional charges. 

Villa Blanca Wall

Villa Blanca gets a lot of current, so the reef is low profile. The sponges and coral here are in really good health. You will see lots of basket sponges, and barrel sponges, with black gorgonian throughout.

There are scrawled filefish, spotted moray eels, honeycomb trunkfish, and some white spot trigger fish, as well as a few sea turtles.

Palancar Reef 

Located near the southwest side of the island of Cozumel, Palancar Reef spans 3.5 miles in length, it's part of the Great Barrier Reef of the Western Atlantic. Well-suited to the interests and abilities of beginner swimmers and expert divers alike, Palancar Reef is everything you would hope an underwater paradise to be. From natural rock formations through to an extraordinary array of vegetation, you can explore the Palancar Gardens, Caves, Bricks and Horseshoe all at different depths of your dive, and blends various types of coral, creating spectacular splashes of color and the perfect spot for eagle rays, sea turtles and impressive schools of fish to congregate. 

Santa Rosa Wall

On the top edge of the wall towards shore are sandy bottom areas and with nice big overhangs to hide out from the current. The coral is rocky with large rocky outcrops that are 30-40' tall. The wall drops steeply, but there are ledges and some sandy areas on the way down. There are beautiful swim throughs that take you from the wall back to the sandy area, and vice versa. Look for French grunts and schoolmasters in the darker areas. 

Be on the lookout for scrawled filefish, sea turtles, groupers, giant parrotfish, French and queen angelfish, and quite a few toadfish. There is also a good chance of spotting a giant green moray eel. 

Yucab Reef

Being a shallower reef, Yucab is a very popular second dive. The reef is very colorful and healthy with lots of hard coral species and huge barrel sponges. There is usually a strong current here so this is typically done as a drift dive.

Wildlife encounters include spotted eagle rays, nurse sharks, turtles, stingrays, moray eels, tons of reef fish, and the endemic Splendid toadfish.

Please click here to download the Medical Statement from Iberostar & Dressel Divers. This form is required for anyone participating in diving activities. This will need to be printed, filled out, and brought with you to Iberostar Cozumel. If you answer "yes" to any of the medical questions on the previous form, you will also need to complete the supplemental RSTC Medical form, which may require a doctor's signature. You will turn the form(s) in when you check in at the resort.

This trip is kid-friendly! Enjoy peace of mind knowing that your kids will be having just as much fun as you are on your family vacation. This resort features a kids’ camp packed with games and activities for your little ones. Between kids camps and nanny services, we’ve got your non-divers covered while you explore the reefs. 

This location is also suitable for younger or newer divers seeking warm, clear waters for easy diving. This is a perfect trip for divers in our SSI Explorers program. Explorers ages ten and up are welcome to complete their SSI Junior Open Water Diver certification here with our very own instructors. This takes the difficulty of cold California waters out of the equation, encouraging a lifelong passion for scuba diving. Watch as your kids experience warm, colorful reefs, share their joy seeing their first sea turtle, and dive without all the restrictions of cold water suits. This is an adventure they will talk about for years to come!  

Click here to read the "Know Before You Go".  

Click here to see the video of Iberostar Waves Resort and Cozumel diving.

Click here to virtually tour resort!

For all travelers joining us on international dive trips we recommend DiveAssure for dive accident insurance and travel insurance. Dive accident insurance can protect you in the event of a dive-related injury and is strongly recommended for all of our guests. Travel insurance can protect you in the event of an unexpected trip cancellation or trip interruption and can also cover lost or damaged luggage expenses, unexpected itinerary changes, and more.    

 Each participant is required to complete a Release of Liability waiver. You will find the waiver within your WETravel account and we ask that you do so at your earliest convenience. It's simple and easy to do:

1. Select “My Trips” 

2. On the left hand side, select "Trips I've Joined"

3. Look for the relevant trip title

4. Select “Manage Booking”

5. In the bottom of the right column you will see “eSignature”

6. Select “View and Sign Document”

7. Select “Start” 

8. As you read the document, “Initial” if prompted

9. At the end of the document fill out the “Signature” 

Any participant that has not signed the waiver will not be able to participate in trip activities. 

 Iberostar is delighted to present their new APP for iOS, with exciting new features so you can get even greater enjoyment from your stay.

• Access the web check-in service to make your arrival faster and more convenient

• Enjoy permanent access to all event and activity times, and add them to your diary to make sure you don’t miss a thing

• Book a table in our restaurants or order dinner in your room

• Obtain full details of all the hotel services and facilities with our interactive map

• Chat with the hotel staff and eConcierge to solve all your needs and queries

Iberostar App

Arrive into Cozumel airport, and meet your airport transfer. 

• Rooms available at 3pm.

• You can check-in earlier than 3pm to receive wrist band so you have access to the hotel and buffet.

• Notify public relations if you have a serious food allergy.

Dive the reefs in Cozumel with Iberostar Waves. Boats depart daily from the resort at 8:15am and 10:15am, these dives are included in your package. Boat dives are also available in the afternoon and evening for an additional charge, or enjoy the rest of your day at your leisure.

Be sure to select the cenote add-on to join us for an epic cenote dive adventure! Dive two of the most impressive cenotes in the world.

In these ponds and caverns, visibility up to 200 feet is not uncommon, giving you the impression that you are floating in mid-air! You will see beams of sunlight penetrating the cavern shafts, creating a magic light show and also the halocline effect. 

The cenote tour takes you diving in caverns, not caves, which have sufficient sections where access to the surface is always possible. The cenotes can be enjoyed by certified divers with normal diving equipment configuration 

Please note: depending on the number of participants signed up, conditions, and weather, your cenotes day may vary.

Dive the reefs in Cozumel with Iberostar Waves. Boats depart daily from the resort at 8:15am and 10:15am, these dives are included in your package. Boat dives are also available in the afternoon and evening for an additional charge, or enjoy the rest of your day at your leisure. 

Enjoy one more breakfast at the resort, then your transfer will take you back to the Cozumel airport to make your departure.