Adventure in Cozumel: Top 5 Outdoor Activities for Thrill-Seekers

Are you looking for an exciting adventure in Cozumel? You are in the right place. In addition to plenty of places to relax, Cozumel has outdoor activities to get your adrenaline pumping.

I know for a fact because I live in Cozumel. My name is Adrienne and I am a dive instructor who moved to Cozumel over 11 years ago. Although I love the peacefulness of the island, I know that sometimes what you want is adventure and thrilling activities. If you are looking for excitement, keep reading for my top five activities in Cozumel for thrill-seekers.

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Top Adventure in Cozumel

1. Go Scuba Diving

As a dive instructor, I might be biased, but for me, there is nothing in Cozumel more exciting than scuba diving. You get to jump into the water and a brand-new world.

Cozumel is world-famous for its crystal clear water and amazing marine life. Just off the shore, you will find impressive coral reefs that makeup part of the second-largest barrier reef system in the Western Hemisphere.

The reefs in Cozumel are known for having large formations made up of sponge and hard corals, colorful reef fish, sea turtles, sharks, and rays.

If you are a certified diver there are many great dive shops on the island to choose from. Some shops cater more towards new divers, students, or experienced divers. You can also choose between shops that have smaller dive boats, or larger ones.

Almost all of the scuba diving on Cozumel takes place on the west side of the island, and you can arrange to get on a dive boat at the marina or have it pick you up at your hotel. 

If you are new to scuba diving, you can sign up for a trial class and dive. Discover scuba classes start with an explanation of scuba diving and the equipment you will be using.

From there your instructor will either take you into a pool or shallow ocean water where you will practice some basic skills necessary to go scuba diving.

You will then get the chance to see what the sport is all about and go for a dive on a shallow reef. If you fall in love with scuba diving your trial class counts towards the beginning of a certification! 

Regardless of your skill level, you will get a thrill out of breathing underwater and exploring the coral reefs. One of the most thrilling parts of scuba diving is that every dive is different and you never know what animals you might see!

 2. Go Snorkeling 

Snorkeling is a great way to experience the thrill of Cozumel’s marine life. You get a bird’s-eye view looking down on the reef from the surface. Plus, the bright sunshine and clear water mean you will have no difficulty having a clear view of the reef. The surface conditions in Cozumel are usually ideal for snorkeling, with calm and flat seas.

While snorkeling you will have the chance to see coral formations, colorful marine fish, and even larger animals such as sea turtles, sharks, and rays!

There are several great places you can snorkel from the shore in Cozumel. As a general rule, the rockier the shoreline, the better the snorkeling will be. Most marine animals prefer living near the rocky crevices rather than on flat sandy bottoms.

If you want a truly unforgettable snorkeling adventure, book a boat snorkeling excursion.

The most popular snorkel trips will take you to several of the most famous Cozumel reefs, including Colombia Shallows and Palancar Reef as well as El Cielo. While snorkeling on the reefs you will get the chance to see large rays, turtles, and even sharks cruising along. El Cielo is a sandy bar with amazing turquoise blue waters.

In many spots, the water is shallow enough that you can stand up, but it is still worth snorkeling around the area. You will see starfish and it is not uncommon for large southern stingrays to swim past you! 

3. Book an ATV or Polaris RZR Tour

There are a lot of different ways to get around the island, but none are more thrilling than on an ATV or Polaris RZR. 

ATVs are all-terrain vehicles where you straddle the seat and steer with handlebars. Polaris RZRs are all-terrain vehicles designed to have multiple passengers with an open frame and four seats.

Several different ATV or RZR tours begin with a fun drive through the Cozumel jungle. There you can satisfy your need for speed while driving your vehicle over rocky and muddy terrain. You will also get to take in the beautiful views of the island’s wilderness. 

You can choose between different tour options, but most ATV and RZR tours are guided. You will get to drive your vehicle but will spend your day with a guide. Your guide will take you to several different spots on the island, teaching you about the island’s history and culture.

Depending on what tour you choose you will get the opportunity to visit Jade Cenote, Mayan Ruins, and some tours even include snorkeling! ATV and RZR tours are a great option to get your adrenaline pumping and get to see several of the island’s top sites. 

4. Visit an Aquatic Park 

If you are looking for an exciting activity that everyone in your family will love, consider spending the day at an aquatic park. Cozumel has several beach clubs with water parks and aquatic inflatable toys.

The calm water in Cozumel is perfect for beach clubs to set up large inflatable toys for you to play on. There are climbing walls, water trampolines, water slides, and other fun toys for you to explore. You can climb to the top of the ‘iceberg’ inflatable toy and jump down into the water below, or try your balance running across the long tubes in the water. 

Playa Mia, Mr. Sanchos, and Paradise Beach all have large inflatable aquatic parks for guests to enjoy. Each beach club has a different policy, but some charge an extra fee for entrance into the aquatic park section of the beach club.

In my experience, the inflatables are worth every penny and there is nothing quite as fun as feeling like a kid climbing, jumping, and running around in the aquatic park. 

5. Rent a Jeep for a Day

One of the most popular and beloved activities for visitors to Cozumel is to rent a jeep and explore the island. You can start your adventure by heading over to the ‘other side’ of the island.

The town of San Miguel and almost all the hotels and infrastructure of the island are on the west coast, facing Playa del Carmen. The east side of the island has a few restaurants and lots of public beaches!

Depending on what kind of thrill you are looking for, you can stop by Punta Morena or Playa Chen Rio and take a surfing class. Or, you can visit Eco Park Punta Sur and take a boat ride through the lagoon to see crocodiles! 

Renting a Jeep gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace. You can stop by the San Gervasio archeological site to see ancient Maya ruins, visit different beaches, and explore the town. You can venture far from the main road and find a taco stand that will let you eat like a local.

However, if you want to spend your day exploring, make sure to have a designated driver if people will be drinking, obey speed limits, and drive carefully. 

Wrapping It Up: The Top 5 Exhilarating Outdoor Activities in Cozumel

Cozumel is known for having laid-back Caribbean vibes, but do not let that fool you into thinking there are no thrilling activities to do. Whether you prefer water activities or want to cruise around on land, Cozumel has a lot of things to do for you!

Best of all…the adventure activities in Cozumel get you into nature either in the clear water or into the jungle!