Aldora Divers

"Only the Best of Cozumel"

Snorkeling at Villa Aldora

Most can tell by surface photos that the Villa Aldora is prime waterfront property with all rooms being just steps away from the water’s edge. But it is important to understand that at the end of those steps lies some of the best shallow water diving and snorkeling in Cozumel.

Like most of western Cozumel, the water’s edge is black limestone called “iron shore”. At the Villa Aldora we have stairs and ladders for easy entry into the water that is 8 feet deep at the waters edge, actually a jagged vertical wall. That wall is covered in sponges and corals just like the deep reefs and populated by a plethora of juvenile fish of the same varieties as found on deep dives, just smaller. This wall is especially beautiful in late afternoon when the sun angle lights up the reds and yellows, which you seldom get to see at depth. In addition, in the evening it is the perfect place for a non-threatening night snorkel!

The really good news is that unlike the rest of Cozumel, the snorkeling at the Villa after hurricanes of 2005 is actually much better! Part of the reason is that the rugged walls of iron shore actually protected some of the corals and sponges, while those that were not protected were already used to strong wave action and survived. But the most significant improvements came from the ocean floor now being 2 feet deeper, and all of the new fish habitat created by the destruction of our former dock!