Palancar Gardens
The shallowest and gentlest section of the Palancar reef system on Cozumel's southwest coast, inside the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park. Large coral buttresses rise from sand, cut by small swim-throughs, and the dive is usually done as a light drift. Turtles, nurse sharks and big schools of reef fish are typical.
Facts
- Region: Mexico – Cozumel & Caribbean Coast
- Area: Cozumel
- Depth: 12–25 m
- Level: beginner
- Current: moderate
- Type: reef, drift
- Coordinates: 20.3439, -87.0261 (approximate)
- Highlights: pillar coral formations, swim-throughs, hawksbill turtles, nurse sharks, angelfish and parrotfish
- Tips: Suitable for newly certified divers when the current is gentle; follow the guide and stay with the group for boat pick-up. The coordinate is the general Palancar Reef point from Wikipedia, not this exact section.