• Palancar Reef's name is believed to have derived from a Spanish verb meaning “to pole or punt a boat”. However, this theory has been discredited as the Spanish word for such an action would be "hacer palanca" rather than "palanca".

• In attempt to explain the etymology, some have suggested that fishermen needed (or wanted!) to pole instead of using their sails or oars. This particular theory does not hold water as the water at Palancar is too deep to reach bottom with a pole.

• Some versions of the story suggest fishermen went there to cut slender palm trees to use as boat poles - which would be both heavy and rough making it unlikely.

• It is thought that Palancar Point, Beach & Reef got its name from a nearby rancho named after its owner, Palancar - which is a known Spanish surname.

• Most other reefs off Cozumel's west coast are named after sites located on adjacent shores while outliers such as Cardona Reef and Barracuda Reef have other explanations.

• The earliest mention of 'Palancar' in Cozumel can be found in a 1901 Mexican government report referred to as “Punta Palancar”.