Palancar Caves

★★★★★ (6,161)

Palancar Caves is usually done as a multi-level drift dive, starting out fairly deep, usually hitting the recreational limit, to explore the deeper reef which is full of underwater tunnels and caves to swim through. Then you’ll make your way up the reef to the more shallow area to end your dive.

Wildlife encounters include spotted eagle rays, nurse sharks, turtles, stingrays, moray eels, tons of reef fish, and the endemic Splendid toadfish, only found in Cozumel.

Dive Activity

Courses and Events

Advanced Open Water Diver

Advanced Open Water Diver

If you're having trouble deciding which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Adventurer program at ALMA LIBRE DIVE COZUMEL!This program allows you to try out various specialties before enrolling in full specialty programs. It's an excellent opportunity to experience what advanced dive training is all about and discover how valuable it can be in your underwater adventures. During the Advanced Adventurer program, you will try 5 different specialties. For each specialty you choose, you'll do a full briefing with your SSI Instructor and then conduct an open water training dive. In this specialty-focused tryout program, you'll have total freedom to explore. This program will allow you to take full specialty programs at any time and credit your Advanced Adventurer training during enrollment.

May 14, 2026 +165 More
$535.00

Potential Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray
578 Sightings
J
97
F
95
M
105
A
61
M
24
J
28
J
24
A
0
S
0
O
16
N
48
D
80
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
563 Sightings
J
44
F
52
M
81
A
56
M
62
J
43
J
72
A
0
S
0
O
43
N
61
D
49

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 27

iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda

Barracuda
562 Sightings
J
48
F
51
M
82
A
71
M
56
J
46
J
62
A
10
S
12
O
34
N
46
D
44
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle
439 Sightings
J
34
F
25
M
66
A
59
M
44
J
35
J
53
A
11
S
0
O
28
N
45
D
39

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
257 Sightings
J
17
F
28
M
39
A
26
M
36
J
18
J
23
A
0
S
6
O
21
N
25
D
18
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
208 Sightings
J
22
F
33
M
25
A
23
M
19
J
17
J
11
A
0
S
0
O
15
N
19
D
24

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse

Wrasse
93 Sightings
J
19
F
18
M
17
A
14
M
0
J
0
J
10
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
15

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
767 Sightings
J
81
F
83
M
94
A
93
M
74
J
56
J
83
A
12
S
13
O
46
N
64
D
68

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
623 Sightings
J
54
F
54
M
87
A
77
M
63
J
53
J
67
A
9
S
9
O
38
N
45
D
67

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
603 Sightings
J
47
F
53
M
90
A
73
M
60
J
50
J
58
A
9
S
12
O
38
N
53
D
60
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 2

AdobeStock-hakbak
Nurse Shark

Nurse Shark
431 Sightings
J
39
F
40
M
56
A
39
M
51
J
23
J
42
A
10
S
8
O
38
N
45
D
40

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
339 Sightings
J
27
F
28
M
52
A
34
M
35
J
36
J
37
A
0
S
8
O
23
N
23
D
36

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster
295 Sightings
J
26
F
30
M
49
A
34
M
21
J
15
J
31
A
0
S
7
O
16
N
36
D
30

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
293 Sightings
J
23
F
36
M
49
A
39
M
28
J
30
J
27
A
0
S
5
O
14
N
15
D
27

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 55

Shutterstock-RLS Photo
Lobster

Lobster
276 Sightings
J
16
F
26
M
37
A
22
M
37
J
19
J
28
A
6
S
0
O
27
N
33
D
25

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
274 Sightings
J
27
F
31
M
32
A
35
M
22
J
22
J
27
A
0
S
8
O
15
N
28
D
27

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
271 Sightings
J
23
F
37
M
44
A
36
M
23
J
16
J
25
A
0
S
0
O
17
N
21
D
29

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab

Crab
219 Sightings
J
21
F
27
M
24
A
20
M
17
J
16
J
25
A
0
S
9
O
14
N
26
D
20

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
218 Sightings
J
19
F
18
M
32
A
29
M
25
J
18
J
18
A
0
S
0
O
18
N
18
D
23

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

Damselfish
207 Sightings
J
21
F
25
M
33
A
22
M
24
J
22
J
20
A
0
S
0
O
12
N
12
D
16

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
178 Sightings
J
23
F
14
M
25
A
15
M
18
J
13
J
21
A
0
S
0
O
23
N
26
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
174 Sightings
J
15
F
22
M
14
A
25
M
15
J
22
J
19
A
0
S
6
O
0
N
17
D
19

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
159 Sightings
J
0
F
20
M
22
A
21
M
19
J
20
J
20
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
20
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper

Snapper
146 Sightings
J
11
F
16
M
22
A
13
M
15
J
12
J
16
A
0
S
6
O
10
N
13
D
12

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish

Goatfish
121 Sightings
J
13
F
17
M
12
A
16
M
12
J
13
J
11
A
0
S
7
O
0
N
10
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
101 Sightings
J
0
F
12
M
19
A
11
M
0
J
10
J
16
A
0
S
0
O
10
N
12
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish

Jackfish
90 Sightings
J
13
F
0
M
11
A
18
M
0
J
13
J
10
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
11
D
14

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs
Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish
55 Sightings
J
0
F
10
M
22
A
13
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
10

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.
Flounder

Flounder
54 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
15
A
11
M
16
J
0
J
12
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish

Soldierfish
43 Sightings
J
11
F
0
M
10
A
12
M
0
J
0
J
10
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

BUCEO ESPAÑA, DIVE PLAYA DEL CARMEN

BUCEO ESPAÑA, DIVE PLAYA DEL CARMEN

CALLE 20, MZ54 LT 004, LOCAL 01, 77710 Playa del Carmen, QR - Mexico
DIVE 48

DIVE 48

C7 entre 55 y 60 Av s/n Col. Ejidal, 77710 Playa del Carmen, QR - Mexico
ALMA LIBRE DIVE CENTER

ALMA LIBRE DIVE CENTER

Carretera San Juan Kilometro 4.5, Zona Hotelera Nte.,, 77613 Cozumel, QR - Mexico
ALMA LIBRE DIVE CENTER

ALMA LIBRE DIVE CENTER

Carretera San Juan Kilometro 4.5, Zona Hotelera Nte.,, 77613 Cozumel, QR - Mexico

Salty Endeavors

65 Avenue Entre 21 y 23, 77600 Cozumel, QR - Mexico

The Dive Machine

Calle 6 norte bis, #227. Entre Avenida 30 y 35, 77710 Playa del Carmen, QR - Mexico

Blue Angel

Carretera Costera Sur km 2.2, 77600 Cozumel, QR - Mexico

AGUA CLARA DIVING

Carretera Tulum Boca paila Km 4.5, 77600 Tulum, QR - Mexico

Get Wet Dive Shop

Andromeda Ote Mz 6, Lt. 9A, 77760 Tulum, QR - Mexico

American Reef Scuba

Calle 2 North #124 btw 5 & 10 Ave Centro, 77600 Cozumel, Mexico

Dive Balam

The royal haciendas mz 70 lt 2, 77710 Solidaridad , Quintana Roo, QR - Mexico

Jump Cozumel

Marina Fonatur, 77600 Cozumel, QR - Mexico

Julio Kinscuba

CARRETTERA CHANKANAAB KM 3.5, ZH SUR, 77600 Cozumel, QR - Mexico

Dive Sites Nearby

Scuba XOC Dive Center, 77675 Cozumel
Maracaibo Reef <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

Maracaibo Reef (★4.4)

Maracaibo Reef is the Southernmost dive site on Cozumel’s Eastern shore. It is a deep drop-off with a large arch, one of Cozumel’s famous underwater landmarks.
Scuba XOC Dive Center, 77675 Cozumel
Chunchacah <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Chunchacah (★4.6)

In the shallower area adjacent to Maracaibo, this long stretch is populated with large coral heads and abundant fan corals. The depth is a constant 70 ft/21m through the entire site, with currents often unpredicatble. This is one of the southernmost dive sites in Cozumel and often the second dive after Maracaibo.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel
Punta Sur - Devil’s Throat <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Punta Sur - Devil’s Throat (★4.6)

Sites in Punta Sur are for advanced level divers due formidable prevailing currents and the typical depths of these sites. Devil’s Throat is a famous passage located on the southernmost end, with an entry point at around 90 feet deep and winds down to 140 feet through a lengthy, narrow downward cavern.
Mares
Colombia Reef <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Colombia Reef (★4.5)

Colombia Reef is well known for its shallow, colorful reef and deeper drop-off. The current is moderate and this site is usually done as a drift dive. There are lots of fun swim-throughs and overhangs to explore.
Mares
Colombia Deep <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Colombia Deep (★4.6)

Columbia Deep is renowned for its dramatic underwater topography, featuring towering coral pinnacles, expansive sand chutes, and intricate swim-throughs. The reef begins around 50 feet and plunges into the abyss, offering a sense of vastness and exploration
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel
Palancar Bricks <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Palancar Bricks (★4.6)

The southernmost section of the famous Palancar Reef, Palancar Bricks is suitable for divers of all experience levels due to multiple swim throughs are various depths, multi-level diving, and macro photography.
Scuba XOC Dive Center, 77675 Cozumel
Colombia Shallows <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Colombia Shallows (★4.5)

With a max depth of 25 feet, this is the perfect site for beginner training, new divers, update classes, or divers looking for an abundance of marine life and long bottom times. Endless photography opportunities for experts & novice UW photographers is also a plus!
Scuba XOC Dive Center, 77675 Cozumel
Palancar Horseshoe <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Palancar Horseshoe (★4.5)

Horseshoe is one of the four awesome sections that make up the famous Palancar Reef in Cozumel, Mexico. This section of the reef is a horseshoe-shaped notch in the wall of Palancar full of beautiful and large coral heads and giant barrel sponges.
Scubapro
Palancar Gardens <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Palancar Gardens (★4.6)

One of the most popular dive sites on the island of Cozumel, Palancar Gardens starts over a shallow reef at 33 feet and then drops off as a mini wall to over 130 feet. There are many fun caverns and swim-throughs to explore. The reef is very healthy, the vis is spectacular, and marine life is abundant.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel
Punta Dalila <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Punta Dalila (★4.5)

This is one of the more popular shallow diving sites in Cozumel and is a popular second dive among dive charters. With the reef sitting in about 40-60 feet of water this is a great site for snorkeling and beginning divers. This is a great spot to see nurse sharks and turtles.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel
Punta Francesa <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Punta Francesa (★4.5)

At the North end of Punta Dalila, a similar shelf reef continues South towards Punta Francesa. A dive profile of 55 ft max depth with a 1-hour bottom time is typical.
Mares
Cedral Wall <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Cedral Wall (★4.5)

The dive starts at around 13 meters (45 feet) and can reach depths up to 27 meters (90 feet). Divers can explore both the reef and the wall, with the latter featuring steep drops and rich coral gardens.
Aqualung
Cedar Pass <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Cedar Pass (★4.5)

Paseo del Cedral is a favorite Cozumel site among photographers due to the landscape that is covered in tight little coves and crevices for schools of fish to hide. This is a shallow dive with a max depth of 60 feet and great for beginning divers.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel
Casa Blanca <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

Casa Blanca (★4.4)

Slightly south of the entry point for Cedral Wall, this site is frequently overlooked by local dive operators despite the opportunity for shark & turtle sightings.
Access Scuba, 84770 St. George
Santa Rosa Wall <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Santa Rosa Wall (★4.5)

The Santa Rosa Wall is one of the most famous wall dives in the world. This dive is for advanced divers as the wall drops away to hundreds of feet deep. it is easy to get pretty deep pretty fast so watch your gauges. This dive is also a drift dive but there are also lots of fun swim-throughs to explore as well.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
Santa Rosa Shallows <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Santa Rosa Shallows (★4.5)

Santa Rosa Shallows is the counterpart of the famous Santa Rosa Wall. The shallows are a great second dive after exploring the deeper wall. The reef here isn’t any deeper than 60 feet with a mild current; excellent for viewing the buzzing reef activity all along the patchy reef system.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel
Santa Rosa Wall <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Santa Rosa Wall (★4.6)

Almost exactly in front of the Occidental Cozumel hotel, this wall offers divers breath-taking views of the abyss under the steep pdrop off as well as many pass-throughs between the deep blue and the safety of a relatively shallow shelf. A few adjacent shallower coral balls offer a suitable spot for a safety stop.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel
San Francisco Wall <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.4)</span>

San Francisco Wall (★4.4)

One of the most popular dives in Cozumel. You will find a steep dropoff, with potentially strong currents and frequent eagle ray sightings. The water is beautiful with 30m or better visibility. There are big barrel sponges all along the wall. This is a more advanced dive site.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel
San Clemente <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

San Clemente (★4.5)

San Clemente is a shallow barrier reef located 500 m (0.3 mi) from the shore at the Sunscape/Secrets resort. The dive site is only 30-40 ft deep in at spans a llenght of over 900 m (0.6 mi). With mild currents, this is a perfect dive site for the last dive of the day or a night dive.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel
Cardona <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Cardona (★4.6)

A shallow, colorful reef 200 meters from the shore just South of Punta Tunich, this colar site is a short easy dive, usually visited as the second or third dive of the dive. Also a great snorkeling site.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel
Punta Tunich <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Punta Tunich (★4.5)

This dive site is often done as a second dive. The northern end of this reef is the most interesting, but it is best to approach it when there is a south-to-north current running.
Aqualung
Yucab Reef <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.6)</span>

Yucab Reef (★4.6)

Being a shallower reef, Yucab is a very popular second dive for many of the Cozumel dive charters. The reef is very colorful and healthy with lots of hard coral species and huge barrel sponges. There is usually a strong current here so this is always done as a drift dive.
Dive with Purpose Cozumel, 77675 Cozumel
Tormentos Reef <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Tormentos Reef (★4.5)

Punta Tormentos is a fringing reef which starts immediately after the end of Yucab. The ref is located 600 meters from a sandy cove at the shore in the south end of the w-shaped Punta Tormentos point. The dive is 650 meters (0.4 mi) long, and navigating 40 course after its end leads directly to the No-name reef.
Aqualung
Tormentos <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.5)</span>

Tormentos (★4.5)

Tormentos is a very popular second dive among Cozumel dive charters due to its shallow depth (averaging around 65 feet) and little to no current. The reef is very healthy and full of life; a photographer’s dream.