Palancar Reef
Cozumel · Mexico
Cozumel's signature drift along a reef complex of buttresses, swim throughs, and coral towers that fall away into deep blue. Strong steady current carries divers along while turtles, eagle rays, and splendid toadfish appear in the gaps. The reef stretches for several kilometers and is typically dived as multiple distinct sections.
Conditions
Depth
12 to 30 m
Open water and up
Current
Can be moderate
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
20 to 35 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
25 to 29°C
Tropical wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 25 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 |
| Vis (m) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Current | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Hawksbill turtle
Last confirmed May 12, 2026 · 124 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Splendid toadfish
Last confirmed Jul 4, 2026 · 43 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Spotted eagle ray
Last confirmed Jun 29, 2026 · 45 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Nassau grouper
Last confirmed Mar 2, 2026 · 4 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Caribbean reef shark
Last confirmed Jun 25, 2026 · 2 records
Rare
Now and then
Gear