Palancar Bricks - Cozumel

Royal Reef, right near the hotel, offers a surprisingly rich dive, especially considering its easy access. We often drop in from the beach, a short surface swim brings you to the edge of a gentle wall. It’s not a dramatic vertical drop, more like a sloping reef that steps down, but it’s loaded with life. Here, we've spent entire dives just hovering over a patch of Eight-ray Finger Coral, watching Glassy Sweepers hover in the crevices while Big Roughy lurk in the shadows. Look for the electric flash of a Beau Gregory darting between the coral heads, or a shy Spotted Trunkfish slowly propelling itself along the sand patches at the base. We particularly love the shallower sections on sunny afternoons; the light filtering through the water really makes the corals pop. Visibility usually sits around 23m, offering clear views of the busy reef. It’s a site that rewards slow exploration, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to soak it all in without fighting strong currents. Don't rush past the sandy areas either; we've spotted some interesting nudibranchs and even a shy Donkey Dung sea hare there.

Location
Cozumel, Mexico, North America
Coordinates
20.317600, -87.026300
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Arrecifes de Cozumel

Best Time to Dive in Cozumel

The warmest water temperatures in Cozumel occur in September, averaging 29.8°C (up to 32.1°C). The coolest conditions are in February at 26.9°C.

The calmest sea conditions are typically in September with average wave heights of 0.70m. Average current speed: 95.0 cm/s.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.2°C (air: 26.2°C)
  • February: 26.9°C (air: 26.4°C)
  • March: 27.0°C (air: 26.5°C)
  • April: 27.5°C (air: 27.4°C)
  • May: 28.4°C (air: 28.2°C)
  • June: 29.0°C (air: 28.8°C)
  • July: 29.4°C (air: 29.4°C)
  • August: 29.6°C (air: 29.5°C)
  • September: 29.8°C (air: 29.5°C)
  • October: 29.6°C (air: 29.0°C)
  • November: 28.8°C (air: 27.9°C)
  • December: 27.9°C (air: 26.8°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Cozumel

Nearest Dive Centres to Palancar Bricks

Marine Life in Cozumel

Home to 181 recorded species including 140 reef fish, 15 hard corals, 9 other, 7 sharks & rays, 3 seagrass & algae, 2 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Palancar Bricks

Based on average water temperature of 28.4°C, visibility 23 nmi, currents 87 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins (stiff blade recommended for strong currents)
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories