Palancar Horseshoe

Palancar Horseshoe is part of the larger Palancar Reef system off the western shore of Cozumel, in the marine park that runs along the island's protected leeward side. It is known for a horseshoe-shaped coral formation cut through with swim-throughs, sand channels, and overhangs that divers move through on a drift carried by the Caribbean current. Depths typically run from about 15 to 30 metres, with the site favored for its coral structure, sponges, and reef fish typical of Cozumel's wall dives, including eagle rays passing along the drop-off. The current can be brisk, which makes it a comfortable dive for those used to drift diving but worth a briefing for newer divers.

Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.

• Southern StingrayHypanus americanusReported here · unconfirmed
• Red Cushion Sea StarOreaster reticulatusReported here · unconfirmed
• French AngelfishPomacanthus paruReported here · unconfirmed
• Caribbean Spiny LobsterPanulirus argusReported here · unconfirmed
• Atlantic Blue TangAcanthurus coeruleusReported here · unconfirmed
• Giant AnemoneCondylactis giganteaReported here · unconfirmed
• Atlantic Sergeant MajorAbudefduf saxatilisReported here · unconfirmed
• Bar JackCaranx ruberReported here · unconfirmed
• Bluestriped GruntHaemulon sciurusReported here · unconfirmed