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Palancar Reef Mexico — Photo: Johnnie Flashlite | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 | Source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Palancar_reef.jpg
IntermediateBoat entry

Palancar Reef

Cozumel, Mexico
Open Water suggested15–34 m depthBoat entryRash guard or 2mm shorty typical

Boat dive — see Entry & access.

Palancar Reef at a glance

Palancar Reef is a intermediate boat dive site in Cozumel, Mexico with depths of 15–34 m (49–112 ft). Typically most favorable Nov–Dec · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Angelfish, Moray eels, and Parrotfish. Recent reports put the water around 30°C (85°F). Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Marine model · graded 1h ago
0.8 mwaves — under a meter expected

Tap a factor for its source and model point · Forecast 30°C · seasonal avg 30°C

Site hazards: Current, depth creep, swim-through task loading, boat traffic, fragile reef contact, and temporary marine-park access changes.

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

Best: Tue
Sun7:00–20:00
Mon7:00–20:00
Tue7:00–20:00
Wed7:00–20:00
Thu7:00–20:00
Fri7:00–20:00
Sat7:00–20:00

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

First light 5:57 · Sunrise 6:21 · Sunset 19:28

Source: Open-Meteo marine · model point 1.2 km from site · graded 1h ago

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

What Divers Say

Known for: Angelfish, Moray eels, Parrotfish
Best time: Researchable year-round, but choose the day by current, wind, visibility, operator route, and current marine-park access.

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

  1. Jan99%27°C0.7 m
  2. Feb95%27°C0.7 m
  3. Mar97%27°C0.8 m
  4. Apr99%28°C0.7 m
  5. May100%29°C0.6 m
  6. Jun97%30°C0.7 m
  7. Jul99%30°C0.6 m
  8. Aug100%30°C0.4 m
  9. Sep99%30°C0.4 m
  10. Oct98%30°C0.6 m
  11. Nov100%29°C0.6 m
  12. Dec100%28°C0.6 m

May, August, November, and December havetypically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

  • AngelfishCommonly seen
  • Moray eelsCommonly seen
  • ParrotfishCommonly seen
  • Sea turtlesOccasionally seen
  • Nurse sharksOccasionally seen
  • Splendid toadfishRarely seen

Fills & rentals nearby

Facts from OpenStreetMap, corrected by the community — listed by distance only. Details change; confirm with the shop.

Shop facts come from OpenStreetMap and community corrections, shown nearest first. PickADive lists facts and contacts only — no listing is sponsored or ranked.

Site details

Palancar Reef is a large reef system on the southwest side of Cozumel within Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park. Divers usually visit it by boat as a guided drift dive, choosing routes such as Palancar Gardens, Caves, Horseshoe, Shallows, or Deep. It is known for coral buttresses, swim-throughs, warm clear water, and protected marine-park rules; route, depth, current, and access can vary by section and operator.

boatdriftreef

Current, depth creep, swim-through task loading, boat traffic, fragile reef contact, and temporary marine-park access changes.

Reviews

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