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Speaking of Cozumel immediately brings to mind images of beautiful coral reefs. Back in the 1960`s when Jacques Cousteau explored the island, Cozumel became an icon for underwater diving worldwide and continues to be a special destination for divers who want to see its spectacular underwater walls and colorful reefs teeming with life. There we find endemic species such as the splendid toadfish, as well as endangered species that enjoy refuge and protection in the Cozumel Reefs National Park.

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Besides the coral reefs, there are other natural beauties under its waters, such as the mini-atolls which are a unique ecosystem formed by structures of calcareous algae that create an underwater labyrinth full of marine life. There are also sandy grounds where people who like to take their time and follow the tracks of sea creatures can usually find them. And for those who like to dive among shipwrecks, a minesweeper rests at the bottom of the sea off Cozumel.

But in Cozumel, it is not only the sea that contains natural treasures. On land we can find many ecosystems inhabited by a large quantity of endemic birds, reptiles and mammals, as well as incomparable tropical landscapes not found in other parts of the Caribbean.

All along the coasts are lagoons which, according to their special characteristics and the changes brought about each year, house diverse colonies of birds that do not go unnoticed by the crocodiles.

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The wilderness is alive in these magnificent landscapes where the red tannic waters contrast with the green mangroves. On the eastern coast, the wild and undeveloped area of Cozumel is discovered in its open beaches and rocky coastline. This is one of the most important zones for the nesting of sea turtles that take advantage of the long beaches to assure their cycle of life.

And in the rocky formations we can see the geological passage of time and the force of the sea in all its splendor as the breaking waves give life to the blowholes, or bufadoras, that sound like the rocks are huffing and puffing.

Going further into the center of the island we find, hidden among the vegetation, natural underground water reservoirs called "cenotes" (sink holes) which, besides their incredible formations in crystal clear water, are habitats for so many endemic species that they still have not all been described and cataloged.

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The wooded areas are where the larger birds and mammals are found. In the center of the island is the highest vegetation, allowing the development of interactions between plants and animals, with the ground levels quite distinct from the canopied areas.
There are great opportunities for photographers with a spirit of adventure to take pictures of great value. The Cozumel Photo Shootout is the ideal venue to learn more about this marvelous photography studio of nature.