Cozumel in June-July: Dads, Diving, and Deet

OK, I know I sound like a broken record. But it is true that any month you can visit Cozumel is a good month to come. Nevertheless, I also know when you’re planning your hard-earned vacation, you want to have a real sense of what to expect – and what to pack. 

In June and July, Cozumel is really starting to get hot and steamy, especially if you do any outdoor activities on land. Diving and snorkeling in the Summer months is fantastic, as the water is even warmer at around 83F/28C, and the tourism season is low, so you’ll have many dive sites to yourself. 

To help you plan ahead – and not forget any critical packing items – the Cozumel seasonal series continues here with what Cozumel is like in June and July.

Typical Early Summer Weather in Cozumel

The weather in Cozumel in June and July is delightfully sunny and can get quite hot and humid. 

For things like taking a tour of the San Gervasio Mayan ruins, or finding all the fun stuff to do within walking distance to your cruise ship, you should expect to get (more than) a little hot under the collar.

Pro Tip: Try to schedule those things early in the morning, so you can beat the heat and then finish up in time to spend your afternoons at one of Cozumel’s best soft sandy beaches or under a shady palm tree.

June is also technically the beginning of Cozumel’s rainy season (normally from June to about early November), so while bright dry days are still plentiful, plan ahead with an easily packable rain jacket and water-friendly shoes so you won’t get caught off guard with a few tropical flash showers here and there. 

**Check out this full post for some tips on how to pack for Cozumel’s occasional rain showers.

But really, don’t stress too much about rain!

You may consult one of many weather apps on your phone and see a grim-looking forecast of rain each day of your Caribbean vacation, but that usually just means a quick 5-minute cool-off shower in the late afternoon, or even overnight.  

If you do find yourself with a rainy day in Cozumel, check this post here for some of our favorite rain-day activities to do when the weather isn’t cooperating. 

Again, though, our Cozumel rain showers are typically very brief.

Besides, you’re never far away from shelter from the rain, nor from a cool beach breeze, a delicious ice cream cone or homemade gelato, or an icy-cold drink at one of Cozumel’s best bars around the island.

You’re also never far away from a fun diving boat, an easy beach to go snorkeling and cool off, or just a relaxing day lounging near your hotel pool. 

It may be hot, but relief is built into the daily life and culture of the island.

Cozumel’s Summer = Social Distancing (In a Good Way) 

Another great thing about coming to Cozumel during June and July is a built-in break from the crowds.

The summer and early fall are the slowest of all seasons on the island, tourist-wise.

So no matter what activity you want to do, you can usually do it with a good deal of elbow room.

Except at the very height of high season (December through March), Cozumel is never “over” crowded, anyway.

But when you come in June and July, you’ll often get that blissfully remote tropical island feeling. Just like you have the place to yourself. 

The one crowd that might show up? Some summer mosquitoes. 

Bring the Bug Spray in Cozumel Summer Months, Especially

Cozumel tends to have a mosquito issue for a short period each evening during the late summer, but it can start up as early as June or July. 

It’s not usually a huge problem, except for the early-evening transition right as the sun disappears. That exact moment is when mosquitos seem to appear at their most hungry. 

Aside from those who are particularly sensitive to mosquitoes and their bites, Cozumel is not typically known as a place where you will get “eaten alive.”

If you find yourself out for the sunset or early evenings in a garden or grassy/plant-filled areas where more mosquitos may congregate, though, try to wear loose long sleeves or a wrap of some kind, or apply a reef-safe bug spray. 

That said, in the very hot summer months, especially if there have been a lot of rain showers during the summer, there are a far greater number of mosquitoes that come out especially as the sun sets and after dark.  This goes basically from July through September (and maybe into October, depending on how wet the rainy months are) 

The island itself is blessed with a nearly constant breeze, though, which really does wonders to keep these pests at bay.

Just be prepared.  There are periods of time where you will definitely want to apply bug spray before you leave your hotel room or home. 

Please try to find reef-friendly bug spray to pack with you, or you can always find various types and sizes of bug repellent and sunscreen in some of our well-known grocery/department stores like Chedraui or Mega.  

Cozumel is full of small pharmacies (farmacias), too, and these tend to carry many good products to protect your skin from the sun and biting pests.  

Remember to travel with at least one light long sleeve shirt and light pants (or a long skirt), especially if you plan to go out at night and perhaps dine in an outdoor space. (These also come in handy as layers on the often chilly airplane…)

But that is really the only drawback! If you plan ahead this nuisance should be very low-key.

Meanwhile, the benefits of coming during June and July far outnumber a couple of measly bugs. 

Cozumel Diving in June and July

Diving in Cozumel during June and July is excellent. 

As mentioned above, you’ll find it easier to make reservations at various dive-friendly hotels, and sometimes even find lower summer-season rates.  

Dive boats overall will be less crowded, and more importantly, the dive sites in the marine park will also be more lightly visited, so your chances of crossing paths with another dive group are even lower. 

The water temperatures in June and July average about 82-83F / 28C, making for nice, warm conditions.  That means longer, more comfortable dives, and hopefully a little less neoprene taking up room in your suitcase.  

I get cold when I dive now, so in the summer months I still wear a full 3mm suit and a light hood (partly for hair maintenance…but also for a hint of added warmth).

Most visiting divers feel comfortable in a 2-3mm full suit, Lavacore or Sharkskin (or equivalent) garments, or even just a skin or rash-guard with shorts.  

If you’re not sure what wetsuit or other thermal protection to pack, consult our full guide to wetsuits in Cozumel. Don’t run the risk of getting cold toward the end of your dive days.

The diving visibility in Cozumel is great all year, so June and July should be no different, barring – of course – any random summer storms.  

Cozumel Diving: Summer Wildlife

Though our spotted eagle ray season is in the winter months, there are some special species you can see in this area only during the summer. 

Marine Eggs and Juvenile Marine Life 

First off, many fish and other marine animals seem to do a lot of their mating and spawning in the late spring and early summer.  So while this can occur all year, I’ve been seeing a ton of eggs and juvenile marine species on the reefs during June and July.  

For more information, read the recent post on the most typical marine eggs to discover when diving in Cozumel.  

Whale Sharks in Cozumel Area

There is a large whale shark migration through this area in the summer, just off the coast of Isla Mujeres, another very small island off the coast of Cancun, one hour to our north.  

Many Cozumel divers enjoy taking one day off from diving to make a day-trip to snorkel with the whale sharks, starting in June and July, and typically extending to late August.

From Cozumel, the whale shark snorkeling excursion is easy and fun.

Many local dive shops can help you arrange this with partner outfits on the mainland, or you can arrange it yourself with a reputable shop like Yukatek Divers in Playa del Carmen.  

From my experience in the past, my best advice is to be sure to take the very first ferry over to Playa del Carmen, so you get there as early as possible, and arrive at the whale shark encounter before the peak crowding. 

Disembarking the ferry In Playa, you’ll meet your pre-arranged taxi van that will take you and your friends up to Cancun. 

The two times I’ve done it here, we could see hundreds of the whale sharks gathered just below the surface, occasionally bobbing up to reveal their unique ridges and spots.  

From there, operators specializing in the Isla Mujeres whale shark snorkeling tours will get you ready and you’ll be on your way to snorkel alongside these huge, but gentle creatures.  

It is fairly common for people traveling from Cozumel to see the local whale sharks to also encounter a few large manta rays in the mix, as these two species feed off of the same plankton that hovers on the surface at this time of year.  

Cozumel’s Sea Turtle Nesting Season

If you’ve read our ultimate guide to sea turtles in Cozumel, here, you’ll know that thousands of loggerhead and green sea turtle eggs are nested and hatched on the island each year, from the months of May to approximately the end of October.  

That means that in June or July, some of the last adult mother turtles are coming up on the shore beaches to create large nests and deposit close to 100 eggs, each, before returning to the ocean.  

By the end of July, some of the very first year’s eggs may be ready to hatch and release the cute little baby turtles to their mad dash to the open water.  

If you’re interested in diving or snorkeling with sea turtles, or want to know more about Cozumel’s sea turtle nesting and hatching – including how to best volunteer to help out with the island’s ecology department programs – click right here on this link for more, info.  

It’ll help you plan ahead for how to arrange your evening, what to expect, and what to wear!

Take in a Summer Baseball Game with the Q.Roo MLB Team

If you’re staying in Cozumel for a week or more, consider a fun day trip to go see the Quintana Roo Tigres play some AAA-level ball at their home stadium in Cancun.

This may be best for true baseball fanatics, but in good weather it’s a fun field trip and awesome cultural exposure for young sports fans, too.

Take the Cozumel ferry to Playa del Carmen, and either an (easy and inexpensive) bus or cab to Cancun, and take in the night games at the Estadio Beto Avila in Cancun.

Located in a safe and well-traveled area of Cancun, the stadium is right next to a soccer stadium, and a huge Mega superstore, so you won’t feel lost in a remote part of town.

Affiliated with the U.S. MLB, the Mexican Beisbol League makes for good quality games with many Major League hopefuls, and a fun environment that’s very much like our minor league ball parks.

Everything’s in Spanish, but you’ll have no trouble following along.

Instead of hotdogs and CrackerJack, you’ll have a fun selection of Mexican snacks, like tacos, chicharron, choripan (chorizo on a roll), along with a full bar service right from your seat.

Check the Tigres’ schedule at their website, and if you can, catch one of their home games in Cancun.

Island Holidays & Dates in June-July

Fathers’ Day in Mexico – next: June 16, 2024

As in the United States, Fathers’ Day in Mexico is celebrated annually, on the third Sunday of June.  

It is a similar vibe here, too.  Families take some time out to acknowledge their fathers and grandfathers, thanking them for all they do through special meals or small gifts.  

The Parks Department is getting into the act, too. In 2023 they started their first annual Fathers’ Day celebration at Chankanaab Beach Park (already one of our favorite activities for dads and their families with kids – see more here).

The event was filled with live music performances, good food, and the Caribbean sea – not too shabby for Dad!

If you’re here with a special father in your family, consider making reservations at one of the island’s fancier – and popular – restaurants like Buccanos at Night, Guidos, Kondesa, or La Cocay, Rolandi’s, or Sorrisi. 

Or, for even more of a “family” feel, try one of the islands many excellent family-run restaurants, like El Moro, K’ooben Laab, La Perlita, or Casa Denis. 

For our full run-down of over 30 great places to eat and drink in Cozumel, read more here.

Int’l Shark Awareness Day – July 14

As far as I know, there aren’t any major local events for international shark awareness day, but in that case, I like to try to DIY these various ocean-related dates.  

First off, I make sure to go diving, and hope extra hard that we see one of Cozumel’s most common resident sharks. 

Or, for another suggestion, I might choose this day to try to do the whale shark snorkeling outing (described above), or just do something goofy like take an annual picture with friends at the lifesize “photo op” shark down at the Royal Plaza shopping plaza. 

PADI Women’s Dive day – July 15, 2023

PADI started an annual day to celebrate women in diving back in the year 2015, and this year it takes place on July 15 (it varies every year, but is always in July). 

Several local Cozumel dive shops work with PADI to give out some light SWAG (last year I think it was slap straps and nylon backpacks) and sometimes arrange something out of the box, like a women-only night dive, or even a sunset happy hour or dinner. 

Ask your favorite shop if they’re acknowledging it this year! 

Int’l Mangrove Day – July 26

Again, this is (unfortunately) a small annual UNESCO observation day, but Cozumel is full of mangroves that are absolutely critical to the health of our ocean ecosystems and to the abundance of fish and other animals that eventually inhabit the nearby coral reef.  

And yet, these unsung heroes are threatened by shoreline development and pollution, all over the globe. 

Consider arranging a SUP tour of the northern mangroves with DeLille Sports, an awesome outing to the ever-beautiful Cozumel Pearl Farm, or just spending a great beach day at Punta Sur Eco Park, and taking advantage of the pontoon boat tour of the southern mangroves and Columbia lagoon – free with admission. 

For more on things to do in Cozumel in June, July, or any month of the year, please visit our main blog pages, and browse around for info on things like where to find the best silver jewelry on the island, or my top tips when renting a car.