About this trip
Sitting just off Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Cozumel boasts crystal clear, warm waters every day of the year and is home to a wide array of marine life. Wildlife encounters include spotted eagle rays, nurse sharks, turtles, stingrays, moray eels, tons of reef fish, and the endemic splendid toadfish, only found in Cozumel.
At Iberostar Waves Cozumel, live a 5-star experience along one of the most famous coral reefs on Earth. This all-inclusive hotel is located on the island of Cozumel, about 12.5 miles from the international airport. It has a diving center with its own boats to help you explore the second-largest coral reef in the world. If you love connecting with nature, just wait until you immerse yourself in the waters of Cozumel. You’ll fall in love with what you see! Enjoy a family atmosphere in their fully equipped bungalow-style rooms from which you can easily access the pools, spa and the extensive white sandy beach. They’ll serve up your favorite meal at either their international buffet or in their themed restaurants so you can enjoy their gastronomy to the fullest. They offer a healthy, tasty and natural menu that varies according to the local produce and the season.
Iberostar Waves Cozumel is expertly located between an array of top dive sites, all within 15 minutes of the resort. You can easily explore the tropical reefs and observe its vibrant underwater sea life from up close.
Click here to check out the resort!
Notable Cozumel Dive Sites
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.
A Family-Friendly Adventure!
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!
Know Before You Go
Click here to read the "Know Before You Go".
Required Participant Medical Statement
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 turned in at the pre-trip meeting. If for any reason you are unable to attend the pre-trip meeting, bring your filled out form with you to Cozumel to turn in prior to your first dive.
Protect Your Trip and Diving Adventure
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.
Suggested Air Itinerary
We all know the issues with airlines these days with crazy flight schedules and prices….. Please contact Bob with Aggressor Travel to secure your airfare just as soon as possible. Bob can be reached at 800.348.2628 and located on the east coast so please call him in the morning. He can also can be eMailed at Bob@Aggressor.com and he will need your passport details. Airfare is varies for a rate that includes the appropriate baggage allowance acceptable for Scuba Divers and has proposed the flights detailed below.
Please call Bob just as soon as possible and let him know “You are traveling to Cozumel Mexico Trip with Dolphin Scuba Center this January” and he’ll know what to do….
American 1544 11th January Sacramento to Dallas Depart 6:17AM Arrive 11:39AM
American 2813 11th January Dallas to Cozumel Depart 12:19PM Arrive 3:59PM
American 2727 18th January Cozumel to Charlotte Depart 1:54PM Arrive 4:45PM
American 1252 18th January Charlotte to Sacramento Depart 6:00PM Arrive 8:38PM
How to create a Dolphin WETravel account
To set up an account or change your Dolphin Travel password just go to www.WETravel.com. Click on "Sign In" and enter the email you used to book the trip and send yourself a "Set Password" email. Go to your email inbox to find the latest email that will help you set a password. You will be able to manage all of your Dolphin trips and adventures under one account.
Iberostar Waves Cozumel Footage
Click here to see the video of Iberostar Waves Resort and Cozumel diving.
What’s included
- Accommodation7 night stay with climate control, ceiling fan, minibar (stocked daily), coffee maker, flat-screen TV, digital safe, ensuite bathroom with hair dryer, and private balcony with hammock.
- MealsAll meals and snacks. Gourmet à la carte and buffet options, including a smoke house, Japanese, Mexican, Caribbean and more!
- BeveragesCoffee, tea, juice, milk, water and alcoholic beverages are included. All drinks within your in-room minibar are complimentary.
- Diving5 days of 2 morning boat dives at 8:15am and 10:15am. 80 cubic foot tanks, weight belts, and weights included.
- NitroxEnriched Air Nitrox is offered complimentary to all divers certified for Enriched Air.
- WiFiComplimentary high speed wireless internet is available throughout the entire resort.
- EntertainmentNightly entertainment in the theater and lobby.
- SportsOne hour daily use of kayaks, Hobie Cat, or kitesurfing. Tennis courts and a gym are also available.
- Airport TransfersAirport transfers to and from Iberostar Waves Cozumel.
What’s not included
- AirfareInternational and domestic flights are not included.
- Marine Park FeesApproximately US$10 per diver per day.
Available Packages
This room features two double beds, climate control, ceiling fan, minibar (stocked daily), coffee maker, flat-screen TV, digital safe, and ensuite bathroom with hair dryer. This room has its own private balcony and hammock with views overlooking the jungle that surrounds the hotel.
Pricing is based on double occupancy. For a single occupancy rate, select the single supplement add-on at checkout.
This room features a king sized bed, climate control, ceiling fan, minibar (stocked daily), coffee maker, flat-screen TV, digital safe, and ensuite bathroom with hair dryer. This room has its own private balcony and hammock with views overlooking the jungle that surrounds the hotel.
Pricing is based on double occupancy. For a single occupancy rate, select the single supplement add-on at checkout.
For those not interested in diving who wish to join the fun, Iberostar Waves Cozumel offers a discounted rate.
This room features two double beds, climate control, ceiling fan, minibar (stocked daily), coffee maker, flat-screen TV, digital safe, and ensuite bathroom with hair dryer. This room has its own private balcony and hammock with views overlooking the pool, plus it's closer to the beach!
Pricing is based on double occupancy.
This room features a king sized bed, climate control, ceiling fan, minibar (stocked daily), coffee maker, flat-screen TV, digital safe, and ensuite bathroom with hair dryer. This room has its own private balcony and hammock with views overlooking overlooking the pool, plus it's closer to the beach!
Pricing is based on double occupancy.
For those not interested in diving who wish to join the fun, Iberostar Waves Cozumel offers a discounted rate.
This package is available for kids 12 and under who are already certified to dive and will be staying with their parents.
Pricing is based on Adult occupancy in a Premium Room. (2 to 1 ratio Adult to Child, or 1 to 1 ratio if the adult has selected the single supplement upgrade).
Available options
If you prefer the privacy of your own room and bathroom, use this add on to upgrade to a single occupancy room.
Upgrade your single supplemented room to be poolside.
Prefer a room close to the pool and beach? Select this add-on.
Pricing is based on double occupancy. For those booking without a roommate, room availability is contingent upon an additional person booking this option.
This add-on upgrades you to a spacious bedroom featuring a king size bed, sitting area, plus a walk-in closet. This room is surrounded by lush greenery and provides next level comfort.
Pricing is based on double occupancy.
Children ages 2 and under can stay in a room with their parent(s).
Pricing is based on Adult occupancy in a Premium Room. (2 to 1 ratio Adult to Child, or 1 to 1 ratio if the adult has selected the single supplement upgrade).
Children ages 3 to 12 and under can stay in a room with their parent(s).
Pricing is based on Adult occupancy in a Premium Room. (2 to 1 ratio Adult to Child, or 1 to 1 ratio if the adult has selected the single supplement upgrade).
One extra boat dive to take place in the afternoon of your choice.
An extra two boat dives to take place consecutively on an afternoon of your choice, or on the morning or afternoon of the rest day.
The freshwater limestone caverns, known as the cenotes, are a fantastic addition to any diver's trip to the Yucatan peninsula. The cool turquoise fresh water is a marked contrast to the warm tropical Caribbean waters. Our cenotes diving adventure will not require any special certification, because we will be under the direct supervision of specially trained local guides and in small groups. Water temperatures are usually in the mid 70s F. This is a fantastic diving opportunity for newer and more experienced divers alike! Pricing is per person.
Price includes the ferry transfers to/from the island, land transportation to/from the entrance to the cenotes, packed lunch, access to the cenotes, tanks, weights and professional dive guides for 2 tank dives and is scheduled for Wednesday January 15th.
One night dive to take place on a day of your choice.
Itinerary
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.