Roatan vs Cozumel — Dive Destination Comparison
Cozumel (Mexico) scores 80.7/100 vs Roatan's 79.3/100 in OkToDive's 12-category rating. Choose Roatan for wall diving with 18–37m visibility. Choose Cozumel for drift diving at ~$95/dive.
Last updated: 2026-05-20
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Roatan | Cozumel |
|---|---|---|
| OkToDive Score | 79.3/100 | 80.7/100 |
| Country | Honduras | Mexico |
| Visibility | 18--37m | 24--46m |
| Water temp | 26--29 C | 26--29 C |
| Max depth | 43m | 40m |
| Current | mild | moderate |
| Cost per 2-tank dive | $70 | $95 |
| Budget tier | budget | mid range |
| Best months | March, April, May | March, April, May |
| Dive types | wall, reef, wreck, night, drift | drift, wall, reef, night, cavern |
| Min certification | Open Water | Open Water |
| Key species | whale shark, spotted eagle ray, seahorse | splendid toadfish, nurse shark, spotted eagle ray |
| Google rating | 4.6 (6200 reviews) | 4.7 (8900 reviews) |
Which should you choose?
Choose Roatan when...
- + Budget-conscious divers — avg $70/dive
- + Newly certified divers building confidence
- + Wreck diving enthusiasts
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Choose Cozumel when...
- + Experienced drift divers comfortable in current
- + Wide-angle photographers wanting crystal visibility
- + Couples where one partner doesn't dive
Skip if
- - You don't have Advanced certification
- - You need shore access — this is boat-only
Bottom line
Cozumel wins on overall score (80.7 vs 79.3), but the right choice depends on your priorities. Roatan is more affordable ($70 vs $95/dive). Cozumel has better peak visibility (46m vs 37m).