Palancar Bricks
- Date of dive: 11/8/2015
- Maximum depth: 90 ft (27.4 m)
- Average depth: 52 ft (15.8 m)
- Total dive time: 49 min
Within the infamous Cozumel dive site of Palancar is an area known as Palancar Bricks. If you want to check out some information about other areas at Palancar, our review on Palancar Gardens can be found here. This site is the southernmost region of the Palancar dive site with maximum depths of 90+ ft (27.4 m) depending on diving ability. We went diving at this site as novice divers and we did not have any problems. As usual, make sure to have good buoyancy control to protect both you and the reef.
The name for this site comes from red bricks which were dropped from a capsized barge in 1950. We did not find any bricks, but we did see a fair amount of life. Some of the dive highlights were two Hawksbill Turtles (E. imbricata). Like other dive sites through the southern end of the island, there are some swim throughs among the larger coral formations. There are also several mini walls on the sides of these coral formations. Currents at this site are typically moderate in the sandy areas, so be cautious with where you are relative to the reef and other divers.
Along this reef, you will have the chance to see a huge variety of the various species found in Cozumel. Invertebrates commonly seen here are: Smooth Floral Coral (E. fastiginia), Clubtip Finger Coral (P. porites), Staghorn coral (A. cervicornis), a variety of sea fans, Giant Barrel Sponges (X. muta), Purple Vase Sponges (C. plicifera), Strawberry Vase Sponges (C. plicifera), Yellow Tube Sponges (A. fistularis), Dark Volcano Sponges (P. zeai), Green Finger Sponges (I. birotulata), and Horned Feathered Worms (S. giganteus). Common vertebrates here are Spotted Drum Fish (E. punctatus), Balloonfish (D. holocanthus), Yellowtail blue damselfish (C. parasema), Four eyed butterflyfish (C. capistratus), Blue Striped Grunts (H. sciurus), Great Barracudas (S. barracuda), Trumpetfish (A. maculatus), Scrawled Filefish (A. scriptus), Queen Triggerfish (B. vertula), a variety of Parrot Fish, Black Triggerfish (M. niger), Green and Spotted Moray Eels (G. funbris and G. moringa), Spiny Lobsters (P. argus), and many other species.
Per usual, please let us know if you have any questions about this site in Cozumel or any other sites this beautiful island is known for. We are happy to share our experience with anyone. Thanks!!
<3 B. and Meliae Quad