Palancar Reef

This expansive reef is the centerpiece of Cozumel scuba diving. Located one mile offshore and stretching three miles long, there is much to see at Palancar Reef and nearly impossible to cover in a single dive. Some of the tallest coral buttresses and pinnacles live in this area.

On the north end of Palancar lies the Palancar Gardens, where brillant corals, sea fans and sponges can be seen. Coral tunnels penetrate deep into the gardens.

In a shallower part of the reef sits the Christ of Cozumel statue at a depth of 33ft. Placed there in May 3, 1985, this statue was created by Mexican sculptor Enrique Miralda and was the brainchild of the famous Mexican underwater filmmaker Ramon Bravo. It serves as inspiration to the preservation of Cozumel’s beautiful reef systems.

By far the most popular area of Palancar is La Herradura or, The Horseshoe. The Horsehoe is formed by large coral heads which grew up and around a deep drop-off, and is inhabited by a plethora of marine life.