Palancar Horseshoe
Protected Area
Arrecifes de Cozumel
Why dive here
With 177+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, bull sharks, dolphins, eagle rays and nurse sharks - Palancar Horseshoe offers some of Cozumel's richest reef diving. Water ranges 27-30°C, warmest August, September, October.
Palancar Horseshoe, part of the broader Palancar Reef system, carves out a distinctive U-shape. Here, the reef forms dramatic swim-throughs and small caves, creating a sense of exploration. We often find schools of snapper tucked into the overhangs, along with the occasional green moray. It’s a good choice for divers who enjoy intricate reef topography rather than big pelagics.
Safety Notes
Strong currents typical this month (avg 79 cm/s). Good buoyancy control essential.
Nearest Dive Centres to Palancar Horseshoe
Dive shops near Palancar Horseshoe
Scuba Mau
Dive Palancar
CARIBE PARADISE DIVERS
Elite Dive Center
Blue Note Scuba Diving
Scuba XOC Dive Center Cozumel
Reviews for Palancar Horseshoe
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Palancar Horseshoe
Palancar Horseshoe Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Palancar Horseshoe, sourced from NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Yucatan Basin - 120 NM ESE of Cozumel, MX (227km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
30°C
85°F · Range: 28.7–32.3°C
Air Temperature
29°C
84°F
Current Speed
78.6 cm/s
Direction: NE (36.7°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.046 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
35.99 PSU
Wave Height
1.1m
6.7s period
Wind Speed
5.5 m/s
10.7 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1010.7 hPa
Visibility
24.1 nmi
Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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