American Reef Scuba

American Reef Scuba is a dedicated dive centre situated in Cozumel, Mexico, operating out of Marina Fonatur. The centre is designed for divers seeking a professional, English-speaking environment that prioritises personalised service and small group sizes.

The operation is led by Doug Webb, an SSI Divemaster Instructor, and focuses on the diverse underwater topography of the island. From the steep reef walls and intricate swim-throughs to local wrecks, the centre provides access to the most significant sites in the region.

The centre is owned and operated by Doug Webb, an SSI Divemaster Instructor who brings a background in railroad operations to the business, emphasising honesty and integrity. His wife, Chandra Webb, manages operations and marketing, ensuring the guest experience is handled with care.

Instruction is provided by qualified SSI and PADI professionals. The team is English-speaking, making it a reliable choice for North American divers. The centre is also an official partner of Diventures, maintaining high standards of training and safety.

American Reef Scuba offers a comprehensive range of SSI and PADI certification courses. Beginners can start with the SSI Open Water Diver course or the SSI Try Scuba Experience, which is available as a single tank shore dive or a two-tank boat dive.

For those looking to progress, the centre provides SSI Advanced Open Water Diver, Diver Stress & Rescue, and various specialty certifications. The specialty catalogue includes Perfect Buoyancy, Navigation, Nitrox, Night & Limited Visibility, Deep, Wreck, Science of Diving, Computer Diving, Photo & Video, Marine Ecology, and Shark Ecology.

Training bundles are available to streamline the process of earning multiple specialties, including Explorer, Adventure, and Master Diver bundles.

The centre operates boat dives with a capacity for 14 divers plus the crew. These trips allow you to reach the offshore reefs and walls that define the Cozumel diving experience.

For certain packages, such as the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver Course or the SSI Referral Diver programme, lunch and beverages are provided on board. The schedule includes morning, afternoon, and evening departures, including dedicated night boat dives.

The centre provides premium scuba equipment for hire, ensuring you have reliable kit for your dives. All divers are required to use a dive computer, though these are available for rent if you do not have your own.

Nitrox is available for use, with an upgrade option for those looking to extend their bottom time. For those requiring more gas, 100-cf cylinders can also be requested.

The reefs of Cozumel are home to a vast array of large pelagics and reef residents. You will regularly encounter Caribbean reef sharks (Carcharhinus), Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum), and various species of turtles, including Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). Spotted eagle rays and various species of rays are also common sightings.

During the months of November to March, you may join a specific excursion to encounter the Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas). Schools of fish, including Jacks (Carangidae), Snapper (Lutjanus), and various grunts, provide a constant backdrop to the dives.

For those interested in macro life and nocturnal species, the area offers incredible variety. You can find Octopus (Octopus vulgaris), Moray eel (Muraenidae), and the endemic splendid toadfish during night dives. Other notable creatures include Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda), Spiny lobster (Palinuridae), and various species of Scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae).

The seascape is defined by vibrant hard corals, brain corals, and large barrel sponges, alongside deep-water gorgonians and black corals. Sea fans (Gorgoniidae), sea rods, and various sponges create a complex habitat for smaller residents like parrotfish (Calotomus), angelfish (Pomacanthidae), and numerous species of shrimp.

Diving in Cozumel is possible year-round, with the dry season running from November to April and the wet season from May to October. The waters are characterised by gentle currents, making it an accessible location for a wide range of diver abilities.

All divers must complete a medical form prior to diving to ensure they are fit for the underwater environment.