Why Is a Cruise Terminal Being Built on Top of Cozumel's Coral Reefs?
- Nessie O'Neil
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
One morning in April 2025, without warning, a drilling rig appeared just offshore from Sunset Beach Club—the home of Sand Dollar Sports and the Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Program (CCRRP). It set down directly above our coral restoration platforms, in the middle of the Villa Blanca Reef, where we’ve spent years growing and planting endangered coral species. Almost immediately, the rig began drilling into the seabed to survey soil conditions for a planned cruise ship pier. In the process, it crushed and tore apart parts of the living reef, including sponges over 100 years old. This isn’t just happening near us. It’s happening on top of our work, threatening to undo decades of local conservation, research, and community investment in Cozumel’s ecosystem.
A New Cruise Pier Threatens Villa Blanca Reef and Coral Restoration Work
Right now in Cozumel, powerful interests are planning to build a fourth cruise ship pier directly on top of Villa Blanca Reef, as well as to lengthen an existing pier nearby. This project, backed by government authorities, is a US $25 million plan that would pave over a living coral reef to park more cruise liners. [x] The new pier is designed to accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise ships and would sit right in the middle of the Villa Blanca Reef, directly over the CCRRP's coral restoration platforms. At the same time, an extension of the adjacent International Pier is also in the works, meaning two constructions would span across the entire marine area. Together, these developments would cover large swaths of reef in concrete, pilings, and dredged channels. This will not only undo all of the coral restoration work being done in this area, but kill the coral reefs themselves.
Who is behind the proposed destruction of Cozumel's coral reefs?
The proposal to build a new cruise terminal directly on top of Cozumel's Villa Blanca Reef is driven by MSC Cruises, one of the world’s biggest cruise lines, in partnership with the influential Molina family of the Yucatán peninsula. These local oligarchs have extensive business interests (they even own the Winjet ferry line and popular beach clubs) and stand to profit from increased cruise traffic. They lobbied hard for this fourth pier, and have found allies in the Mexican government.
The plan’s supporters claim Cozumel “needs” another cruise dock to boost tourism. But this ignores the fact that Cozumel already has three cruise ship piers, which were never even fully used at capacity before the pandemic. [x] In 2018 and 2019, the existing docks were at barely 54% utilization.
Why is Villa Blanca Reef Important?
Villa Blanca reef is unique because it is currently the only coral reef around Cozumel located outside of a designated protected marine area. Unlike other nearby reefs, which are part of the Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park and therefore legally protected from construction and development, Villa Blanca is vulnerable precisely because it lacks this official protection status. This makes it especially susceptible to development projects, such as the proposed cruise ship pier and pier expansion.
For years, the Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Program (CCRRP) and local businesses like Sand Dollar Sports and Stingray Villa have actively invested time, money, and effort into protecting and restoring this reef. Our coral restoration efforts at Villa Blanca include growing and planting thousands of coral fragments on underwater structures, helping damaged reef areas recover. Villa Blanca has served as an important model showing that reef restoration can genuinely succeed.
But now, all of these gains are at risk. The proposed cruise pier construction would directly cover the reef and destroy the restoration sites. Beyond environmental harm, the local community faces losing one of their last free-access beaches. The planned cruise pier project also includes building a large, exclusive beach club named Cabo Martarraya which would effectively privatize the surrounding beachfront. This means Cozumel residents would lose access to one of their favorite and last remaining public shorelines, turning a community space into a restricted area exclusively for cruise ship passengers.
How Cozumel is Fighting Back Against Development on Coral Reefs
The community of Cozumel is not taking the destruction of their reefs lying down. Locals, dive professionals, business owners, and environmental groups have united under the movement known as #NoAlCuartoMuelle ("No to the Fourth Pier").
Here’s what they've done so far:
Legal Actions
In late 2021 No Al Cuarto Muelle (“No to the Fourth Pier”) filed a lawsuit to stop the project. The judge agreed there were serious concerns, including lack of proper permits and failure to consult the community about environmental impacts, and ordered construction halted by granting an injunction. [x] This injunction stalled the project for about two years. Unfortunately, this legal win was short-lived. After a change in government, the injunction was overturned on appeal, and authorities swiftly revived the pier plans. Basically, as soon as the new administration took office, the roadblocks were lifted and the cruise companies rushed to get started. This happened despite officials publicly claiming that “no permits have been granted” for the pier or an associated beach club. Meanwhile, there were literally drilling platforms in the water, but I digress. That being said, legal actions have managed to halt development in the past, and No Al Cuarto Muelle is still fighting.
Public Protests on Both Land and Sea
Locals have organized large public demonstrations at locations like Sand Dollar Sports and Cozumel’s Fiscal Pier (the ferry arrival point from Playa del Carmen), as well as underwater in Villa Blanca Reef itself. One of the most powerful actions occurred at sea, when more than 60 boats formed a blockade around the construction survey platform. This peaceful protest successfully forced the platform operators to retreat, at least temporarily. However, the threat remains as the developers may resume work at any moment.
Online and Social Media Campaigns
The movement actively shares updates through social media, raising international awareness. Locals have also created petitions, including a Change.org petition, gathering thousands of signatures globally. Local businesses and volunteers have reached out to journalists, influencers, and international audiences, encouraging tourists and potential visitors to speak out. While local efforts are essential, so is international pressure on MSC Cruises and Mexican authorities.
How to Help Stop Companies like MSC Cruises From Destroying Cozumel's Reefs
There’s still time to stop this—but we need your help. Here’s how you can take action:
Don’t Cruise to Cozumel
Do not visit Cozumel as a cruise passenger. The cruise industry is driving the destruction of Villa Blanca Reef. Instead, plan an overnight visit and support the local economy in a more sustainable way.
Boycott MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises is one of the main companies backing the pier project. Let them know you don’t support reef destruction.
Call: 1-877-665-4655
Influencers can also write to: influencers@msccruisesusa.com
Leave comments on their social media pages (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)
Ask them how destroying a coral reef helps Cozumel in the long term. (Hint: it doesn’t.)
Avoid Winjet Ferry
If you’re visiting from the mainland, do not use Winjet Ferry. It is owned by the Molina family, the same group pushing for the cruise pier and private beach development. Choose alternative ferry services instead.
Support Reef-Friendly Businesses
Spend your money with businesses that protect the reef, not destroy it. Sand Dollar Sports and Stingray Villa are local businesses actively involved in reef conservation.
Let them know you support their efforts. Your choices matter and your support helps them continue the fight.
Sign and Share the Petition
Add your name to the petition to stop the pier project. Every signature helps increase pressure on decision-makers. Sign here: change.org petition
Share the petition with friends, dive groups, travel forums, and on social media.
Spread the Word
Use your voice to help gain international attention. Share information about the Villa Blanca Reef crisis online, on your blog, or through your social channels.
Use hashtags like #Cozumel and #NoAlCuartoMuelle. Tag news outlets, influencers, and cruise companies. Encourage journalists and creators to cover the story.
Educate Your Guests and Customers
If you run a business, dive shop, or tour company, tell your guests what’s happening. Use newsletters, social media, and in-person conversations to explain why Villa Blanca Reef matters and what’s at stake.
Encourage sustainable travel choices and support for local conservation.
Donate to the Legal Defense Fund
Support No Al Cuarto Muelle, the grassroots organization fighting this project in court. Donations go toward legal costs and public awareness efforts. Every contribution helps keep this fight alive. Donate here: https://donorbox.org/no-al-cuatro-muelle
Contact Government Officials
Email Mexico’s tourism authorities and demand they stop this harmful, short-sighted project.
Tell them you care about Cozumel’s reefs and that building over a coral restoration site is unacceptable.
Support the Cozumel Coral Reef Restoration Project
The CCRRP is a grassroots, community-led nonprofit working year-round to restore damaged coral ecosystems through coral gardening, scientific research, and public education. We've planted over 10,000 coral fragments and built 29 restoration platforms—many of which are now threatened by the cruise pier project. You can support our work by donating at ccrrp.mx/donate or volunteering your time.
Remember: The reef can’t speak for itself. It needs your help. Your voice matters.
