Palancar Reef Cozumel Island Dive Site

Dive Type: Palancar Reef, Cozumel Island

To find Cozumel Dive Clubs and Dive Tour Operators see our Dive Club Directory, under Central America, Mexico.

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Caves, Bricks, Horseshoe & Gardens; Palancar Reef is on the outer edge of the continental shelf, beside a deep water channel. Palancar is a huge, largely pristine reef stretching over 5 km (3 miles).

Palancar is one of Cozumel’s most memorable reefs. The visibility is fantastic!  A deep wall dive, possibly to 130+, the slopes of snowy white sand slide off into the deep blue resembling a ski slope. Palancar Bricks is just the beginning of an almost three mile stretch of caves, canyons, overhangs and gardens. 

Fish take a back seat to the coral in many sections but once you get used to it you’ll be looking out for larger life again, a selection of lobsters, crabs, rays and barracudas as well as lots of bright little guys.

As you wind your way up into the coral ravines and through the narrow crevices you’ll  want to have your camera ready to photograph the many snappers, angelfish and Bermuda chub that will be waiting for you there.

You may want to start your dive at the “Horseshoe”, a large u-shaped notch in the wall of Palancar.  The Gardens are a bit shallower, and are an excellent place to stop and take some pictures.  The sandy bottom is often a good place for rays to hide, so keep your eyes open.  This is one reef you’ll want to come back to. 

Best diving is in spring and summer (May-Sept) when the seas are calmer. It is often rainy during fall and winter. Expect water temperatures in low to mid 80°F (26-29°C). The Eagle Ray migration starts in late January and lasts for about two weeks into early February

Address
Cozumel

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Site Map for Palancar Reef (click all images to enlarge)