Cozumel’s ‘El Cielo’ Snorkeling Spot Offers Shallow Waters and Starfish Galore

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — A shallow sandbar off the coast of Cozumel, known as “El Cielo” or “The Sky,” has become a premier snorkeling destination in the Mexican Caribbean, famous for its crystal-clear waters and dense populations of starfish.

The site is located at the southern tip of Cozumel island, near Punta Sur and Laguna Colombia, within the Cozumel Reefs National Park. This park is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second-largest coral reef system in the world.

El Cielo is a sandy area with seagrass beds less than a kilometer from shore. Despite lacking large coral patches, its appeal lies in waters approximately 4 meters deep, fine white sand, and, most notably, a high concentration of cushion starfish. The abundance of these starfish is said to resemble a sky full of stars, giving the location its name.

According to Mexico’s National Commission for the Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO), the broader park area hosts over 1,200 species of flora and fauna, including marine birds, tropical fish, and corals like brain, fire, and black coral.

Snorkeling tours to El Cielo must be conducted with agencies and vessels authorized by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) due to the fragile ecosystem. Authorized operators include Cancun Adventures, Dive with Martin, and Explora Caribe.

Typical tours often include initial snorkeling stops at the deeper Palancar and Colombia reefs—where depths can reach around 40 meters—before concluding at El Cielo. Species spotted in the area can include green moray eels, cleaner shrimp, hawksbill, green, and loggerhead turtles, giant anemones, and fish like queen and rainbow parrotfish, blue angelfish, and butterflyfish.

Visitors are prohibited from touching the starfish or any other wildlife, stepping on seagrass, or using non-biodegradable sunscreens.

Tour prices generally range from 1,200 to 1,700 Mexican pesos per person, typically including round-trip transport, a certified guide, and snorkeling equipment. Some packages may include food and drinks. The 255-peso entry fee for the Cozumel Reefs National Park is sometimes charged separately.

Travel time to El Cielo is about 30 minutes by car from downtown Cozumel or 35 minutes from the airport, and 15 to 20 minutes by boat.