Cozumel · Mexico · Reef · Cave & cavern · Drift
Palancar Caves
A multi-level drift through tunnels in the deeper Palancar reef
Area photo: Matthew T Rader · CC BY-SA 4.0
One of the four named sections of Palancar Reef, dived as a multi-level drift that starts deep, close to the recreational limit of 30 metres, and finishes shallow. The deeper reef is full of tunnels and caverns to swim through, and angelfish, triggerfish and parrotfish are constants, with turtles, nurse sharks and seasonal eagle rays passing through.
Where it is and how deep
20.3480° N, 87.0287° WPublished position for this site.
The dive
The dive is run multi-level and in one direction. Boats drop the group at the deep end, usually taking the profile out towards the recreational limit of 30 metres, and the first part of the dive is spent on the deeper reef, where buttresses, tunnels, caves and big caverns sit along the edge of a sloping wall. Light comes down through the openings, and the group threads them one at a time.
From there the route works up the reef into the shallower section to finish, which is what keeps the profile legal after a deep start and leaves gas for a slow last stretch. Angelfish, triggerfish and parrotfish are on the reef throughout. Turtles and nurse sharks are commonly seen, and eagle rays pass here seasonally, between December and April. Currents are usually mild, which makes the swim-throughs easier to line up than a fast drift would allow.
Marine life and season
- Sea turtles
- Reef sharks
- Eagle rays
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good | Fair | Fair | Fair | Fair | Good |
Season follows Cozumel: January–April is prime with December close behind; lighter trades keep the leeward side calm, though winter nortes can shut the port for a day. Peak hurricane risk falls in September and October.
Questions divers ask
How deep is Palancar Caves?+
The maximum is about 30 metres. It is dived multi-level: deep first, out near the recreational limit where the tunnels are, then up onto the shallower reef to finish.
When can you see eagle rays at Palancar Caves?+
Eagle rays are seasonal here, reported between December and April. Turtles and nurse sharks are commonly seen too, along with angelfish, triggerfish and parrotfish on the reef.
Sources
- Palancar Caves dive site — PADI Travel
- Palancar Caves — Scubago
- Palancar Caves dive site — Scuba Du
More dive sites in Cozumel
A hull that was placed rather than lost, upright at 25 m
Wall
Coral gardens on the shelf, steep drops below to 27 m
Reef
Giant coral pinnacles cut with caves, tunnels and caverns
Mild current in a protected pocket, 9 to 15 m
Wall
A deep drop-off from 29 m with a large arch through the wall
Reef
Swim-throughs at several depths with usually mild current
Splendid toadfish, nurse sharks and turtles along the coral
Coral heads rising from 30 m to within 6 m of the surface
Similar dives elsewhere
Black coral colonies and a cave at 23 metres
Jacks and barracuda stacked in the current
Three reef plateaus split by sand dunes, drifted at 26 m
A long run of coral formations at 26–28 m in strong current