Quick, name two living legends of dive. (We’ll give you a sec…)

Jean-Michel Cousteau and Sylvia Earle spring to mind, right? Now what would you give to dive with not one but both of them, in a beloved destination that’s not more than a few hours’ plane ride away for most U.S. divers?

It’s possible at the 4th annual Cozumel Scuba Fest, a six-day celebration of diving held on an island esteemed by divers the world over for its amazing — and easily accessed — reef system, just off the Yucatan peninsula.

For less than US $450 you can spend your mornings (and one night dive) exploring eight or nine stops along two “Cozumel Scuba Fest Routes” designed by Cousteau, son of Jacques-Yves Cousteau. Pass your afternoons choosing from roughly 15 different seminars, most held at the convention center in downtown San Miguel, followed by evening cocktail parties at venues like the stunning, totally renovated Presidente Intercontinental, and an awards dinner the last night that honors five “Golden Divers,” longtime industry contributors chosen annually. Cousteau and Earle are this year’s headliners and will present a panel discussion on Friday Dec. 11. Other Scuba Fest speakers include National Geographic Explorer Guillermo De Anda, Diveheart founder Jim Elliot, photographer and cave explorer Sergio Zambrano, and more.

This year’s festival takes place Dec. 8 to 13. Details are available at cozumelfest.com, which includes English and Spanish versions. The package price includes nine dives and access to seminars and parties; the awards dinner is a separate ticket. Many of the participating dive operators are offering accommodations packages in a range of prices.

While the festival celebrates diving, there’s a strong emphasis on conservation and the environment, encouraged by Cousteau, a participant from the beginning. Divers who complete the Scuba Fest routes receive a personalized logbook signed by Cousteau and become members of a network recognized by his Ocean Futures Society.

Jose de la Fuente, co-owner of Scuba Du dive operation, one of the participating operators, described just one of the festival's lasting impacts.

Scuba Du boats had been throwing away “16,000 plastic bottles a year,” de la Fuente recalled, used water bottles discarded by divers. At one festival, Cousteau “called me out on it,” de la Fuente said with a smile. “We had to do something.”

Now all of de la Fuente’s divers get a Scuba Du-branded reusable water bottle that’s also a great souvenir.

Learn more about the Cozumel Scuba Fest or book your trip today at cozumelfest.com.