Diving in the Mayan Riviera

sphelps · #1 05-16-2009, 04:06 AM

I will be going to the Mayan Riviera shorty and was wondering if anyone knows of any good dive shops/sites and snorkeling sites? Thanks.

Piscez · #2 05-16-2009, 05:02 AM

Akumal Bay has Sea turtles, there is a tour but you can go for free if you take your own snorkeling gear and just make your own way, there is a local bus you can take to Akumal from the station on 5th Ave in down town Playa Del Carmen. There is some rather commercial snorkeling in Xel-ha park which has swimming with dolphins and floating down the river on tubes. Also a decent Dive shop in Playa, this should help, have fun!

http://www.diveshopmexico.com/

Treebeard · #3 05-16-2009, 02:53 PM

Definitely go to Akumal Bay. We used the Akumal Dive Center which is located next door to the hotel we stayed in. You also should do a cenote dive. Taj Mahal is short drive from Akumal and the guys at the Akumal Dive Center take you right there.

Snorkeling in Akumal Bay is ok. Last time we were there it was kind of silty though. Half Moon bay is a short walk or bike ride north of Akumal Bay and the snorkeling there was much better, lots of coral and fish!

Xel Ha is good but it's not cheap. I would stick to the free stuff in Akumal. There is lots of good info on Loco Gringo. I have booked both of my Akumal stays with them and they are great!

Here are some snorkeling pics from our trip two years ago. These are in Akumal Bay where there are lots of turtles, but like I said, Half Moon Bay has lots more coral and fish.

sphelps · #4 05-21-2009, 04:08 AM

Thanks for the information. I will post some pics of snorkeling with the whale sharks when I return

Carmen · #5 05-21-2009, 04:19 AM

Take a trip to Cozumel by Ferry from Playa Del Carmen - cheap and easy! The snorkelling trips from there are INCREDIBLE! Sharks, rays, Barracuda, Dolphins, Turtles, grouper! TONNES to see! I don't have a particular boat/tour group to give you but I am sure you can find many to take you offshore there. Or snorkelling right off the Cozumel island at Chankanub park was neat. Saw Lobster, tangs, parrotfish, etc.
I second Akumal though! Really a neat place with the turtles and off to the left of the turtle area is a HUGE shoal of fish! Ask the locals, can't miss em! HUGE!
HAVE FUN!! I'm jealous!

Treebeard · #6 05-21-2009, 02:31 PM

The fish ball! Did you see Barry the barracuda Carmen? It is very cool to watch him circle around the fish ball looking for an easy meal.

Here is a link to a downloadable movie of the Barry and his Fishball.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carmen

Really a neat place with the turtles and off to the left of the turtle area is a HUGE shoal of fish! Ask the locals, can't miss em! HUGE!
HAVE FUN!! I'm jealous!

Treebeard · #7 05-21-2009, 02:39 PM

Here is what you are in for sphelps: Akumal Beach Webcam It is a live webcam mounted on the front of the Lo Ha beach bar, which is next door to the dive shop. Looks like a great day for diving today!

Carmen · #8 05-21-2009, 06:46 PM

Ah Man! I can't believe someone has a video of it! That is it exactly! And yes that barracuda (or a few of them

) hang out there ALL the time so it's really something to see! QUITE spooky when you suddenly turn around and there's a 6 foot barracuda only 4 feet away from you in 3 feet of water!! WOW how I want to go back!

ned · #9 05-21-2009, 11:53 PM

Take a whole day for Xel-ha.

Snappy · #10 05-22-2009, 01:08 AM

Steve,
if you want to see fish dive around Cancun & for more coral/sponge focused dives Cozumel. You'll see a good mix most places but that is my take on it. Palencar caves are a great site.