Four Cozumel Reefs Close Through November as Five Others Reopen

Cozumel’s rotating reef-rest program has shifted to a new group of dive sites. From October 1 through November 30, 2026, tourism access is suspended at San Francisco, San Francisco Bajo, Santa Rosa and Santa Rosa Wall inside Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel.

The restriction removes four heavily used reefs from scuba and snorkeling itineraries for two months. Mexico’s National Commission for Protected Natural Areas, CONANP, uses the rotation to reduce tourism pressure while coral colonies recover. Local reporting says the program also responds to continuing threats from coral disease, including white syndrome.

At the same time, five sites that rested during August and September reopened on October 1: Palancar Caves, Palancar Bricks, Colombia Shallow, Colombia Intermediate and Colombia Deep. That distinction is important for trip planning. Cozumel’s marine park is not closed, and boats can still visit authorized sites outside the four resting polygons.

Divers should not assume that a familiar two-tank itinerary remains available simply because the operator is running. Santa Rosa Wall and San Francisco are among Cozumel’s frequently requested drift dives, so operators may substitute other reefs based on the closure, experience level, current and daily marine conditions.

Visitors should book with authorized providers, confirm the planned sites shortly before departure and respect any last-minute instructions from park or harbor authorities. A weather-related port closure is separate from the scheduled reef rotation and can still halt all boat diving even when a reef is otherwise open.

The current rest period is scheduled to end after November 30. Divers planning early-December trips should still verify that CONANP has formally returned the four sites to service before treating December 1 as a guaranteed reopening date.

The rotation gives divers continued access to Cozumel while distributing pressure across the protected reef system. It also means current park guidance—not an operator’s older site list—should control expectations for any specific reef.