Scuba Diving Palancar Reef - Cozumel, Mexico

Palancar- Cozumel Mexico

Just about every diver who makes the trip to the beautiful Island of Cozumel has the chance to dive the Palancar Reef.  The reef itself is quite a large reef and there are actually several separate but equally enjoyable Palancar dives. 

  You can take a charter from anyone of the numerous dive shops right on the island but also you can make the trip from the mainland right from Playa Del Carmen it’s just a longer boat ride.  Don’t let the boat ride scare you off because in one of my earlier blogs I shared the story of an unexpected encounter with a whale shark on this very boat ride.

  As I was saying the Palancar reef offers several different dives that cater to every level of diver.  Palancar Gardens is a shallow dive only 35’-67’ with great visibility and almost no current.  Here you will find hundreds of corals of every color imaginable and a large selection of sponges.  All the while you are courted by a multitude of colorful reef fishes.  A truly fantastic dive for a beginner or a good refresher but also enjoyable by the most seasoned divers. 

The Palancar Bricks is another popular dive however because it reaches depths of over 90’ it is usually reserved for advanced level divers.  Aside from the depth it is a relatively easy dive with incredible visibility over 100 feet and almost no current.  This site is also highlighted by the abundant healthy corrals to be found.  Huge coral formations erupt from the sandy bottom and this is a great place to spot eagle rays, turtles and often time reef sharks.  The coral continues to impress as you ascend. 

  Cleaning stations are a common site and it is always fun to watch the shrimp work their magic by removing parasites from turtles or rays.  A very enjoyable dive.  My favourite dive on Palancar by far has to be the Palancar Caves.  Huge coral formations create a vast array of caves, caverns and buttresses. Larger sea life is commonplace and this is a popular spot for photographers.

  Rays, Sharks, Turtles, eels, they are always here for your viewing pleasure.  It is a fairly deep dive again over 90’ but it still has little current and offers a diver some excellent visibility.  The coral is all very healthy and the local guides do a very good job educating divers on conservation.  Gloves are prohibited to discourage touching and buoys are permanently place to avoid anchor damage insuring that the great dive sites on Palancar reef will be available for years to come.

  You can easily dive 6-8 dives on this reef and not see it all.  I only had 3 dives and when I return I will be sure to explore the reef further.  Many a diver count Palancar among the top dives in the world and for very good reason.  I would recommend these dives to all.

Scuba Diving Kedah National Marine Park - Langkawi Malaysia

Palau Segantang- Kedah National Park Malaysia

Around 20 miles north of the port city Penang in the beautiful country of Malaysia is the Kedah National Marine Park. 

 The Malaysian Government has declared the park a protected area since 1985 and prohibits fishing.  The park consists of 5 Islands (Palau’s) with the main Island Langkawi hosting a Visitor Center, an underwater observatory some of the nicest beaches you will find in all of Malaysia.

  Palau Segantang has some bungalows that can be rented at a very low price.  The fact that the Island has no fresh water and all water is collected by park staff who use a series of tarps, and barrels to collect the rainwater may contribute to the low cost of accommodation.

  Something you can see here that I have never seen before is the Flying Fox.  It is sort of a cross between a bat and a dog.  They are actually part of the bat family and they are the largest bats in the world.  They can have a wingspan of up to 6 feet across and only weigh between 3-5 lbs.  They do not eat meat they eat fruit mostly.  However to see these large creatures fly around and land in a tree then use their hands to crawl and climb is just a little creepy.  They have been considered a delicacy by some cultures and are now on the endangered species list.  It has nothing to do with diving but I really enjoyed seeing them and felt it was worth mentioning.

  Back to diving.  Langkawi itself has no diving to speak of but there are several small islands within the park that have some magnificent dive sites. 

 One of the best known and frequently dived is Palau Segantang.  Located just west of the Island of Palau Payer, another popular dive destination Palau Segantang offers two corral pinnacles that rise from the seafloor from just less than 100’ of depth.  There is a slight current but the visibility is fantastic. 

 The Pinnacles attract a large variety of sea life such as Turtles, barracuda, eel, several varieties of jacks, large nurse sharks, seahorse, some pacific lobster, and many other varieties of fish.  It is also a great place to go to see many different types of soft corrals.

   When you leave the boat you descend to about 95’ to a sandy bottom.  Then you start to work your way back to the surface all the while admiring the many forms of life who call this formation home.  There are several swim throughs to enjoy while you work your way up.  It is an advanced level dive because of the depth and sometimes the visibility can be disturbed by the many ships that pass through the area on the Straits of Malacca. 

  However this site is an excellent 2 tank dive.  There are several day charters that make runs to the area as well as a few live boards that offer repetitive dives throughout the park.  Watch your air and time your dive properly so you don’t use your air at the beginning of the dive.  Beginner divers also frequent this site but they start the dive by descending to 60’ and working up from there.  Still a very enjoyable dive however the nurse sharks tend to stay closer to the bottom so they may well be missed. 

  Overall a very enjoyable dive that is sure to impress any diver of any level.  Bring your camera you are certain to get some great shots.