Just south of Palancar, Columbia is the deepest and most dramatic of Cozumel's named reefs. Towering coral pinnacles rise from a sandy plain at 25–30 metres, separated by sand chutes wide enough to swim through. The structure feels almost gothic — vast pillars, archways, and tunnels — and visibility is consistently exceptional.
This is generally an advanced dive: depths run from 22 to 35 metres, and the current can move you faster than you expect. Eagle rays glide past in formation during the winter months and resident hawksbill turtles sleep in the overhangs. Shallow Columbia (Columbia Shallows) at 10–15 metres is suitable for less experienced divers and snorkellers.