Snorkling/Diving in the Caribbean/Gulf of Mexico

[Treebeard]

I did my certification dives in November 2008 in Akumal, which is just south of Playa del Carmen, and saw oodles of fish and coral. The Mayan Riviera is a very long coast, so I guess it depends on where you go.
There is also great shallow water snorkeling in Half Moon bay which is north of Akumal Bay. Lots and lots of fish and huge coral formations there!

There is also lots of cenote dives you can do on the Mayan Riviera.

Xel-Ha is also close by.

We also spent a few days on Cozumel, but only managed a couple of dives do to windy conditions. I actually enjoyed the diving in Akumal better, but we were limited to where we could dive off Cozumel because of the wind. We definitely want to go back to Cozumel.

Before my wife immigrated to Canada, she worked as a dive instructor on Grand Cayman, and we plan on going there one of these winters too.

[sphelps]

If you do go to the Myan, do lots of research and find out exactly where you should go and be prepared to do it without tour groups. I think our biggest mistake was going in a reputable tour group, we went to a bay in Akumal which is apparently known for snorkeling but it had brackish water which really screwed up the visibility. My gf has been to Xel-Ha but says it's over rated with a good amount of fish but nothing much else to see.

The cenotes were definitely the coolest part of the trip. Not 100% sure but you may need special certification to dive them though.

[lastlight]

I snorkelled quite a bit off the shore of Akumal Beach Resort and saw some cool things like a school of massive tarpons (scared me BAD), a big turtle, big ray and huge schools of blue tangs grazing. I followed these schools (hundreds of tangs) from one pile of rock to another it was a blast.

As far as corals go I didn't know what I was seeing at the time but there isn't anything crazy colorful. I think mostly big piles of the greey/yellow porites? No idea I'm still no good with Id. I don't think I saw any branching acros or anything.

That resort is for families. Pretty quiet and great for a non party-guy such as myself. I gained a few pounds and burned about 10 layers off my back and legs snorkelling. Great success!

[Treebeard]

Hey Brett, I stayed at ABR in September 2007, about a month after hurricane Dean. When did you stay there?

We snorkeled directly in front of the Lo Ha and the water was really clear. I wonder what happened to make it brackish.

Last November we stayed at the Hotel Akumal Caribe, next door to the dive shop and the Lo Ha. It's not an AI like the ABR, but it was nice to be able to eat and drink where ever we wanted.

[pinhead]

I have snorkled in Fiji, Bali, Hawaii, Mexico, the Barrier Reef and in Jamaica and I was very impressed with Jamaica this past spring.

Where we stayed, the reef was accessible right off the beach with as good a variety of fish and corals as I've seen anywhere. For someone who is not a confident snorkeler, this is a huge advantage because you are in shallow, protected waters. A boat trip out to an outer reef can be expensive, through rough waters, hours in length, inflexible as far as departure times and very intimidating to snorkelers who have to jump in off of a boat.

A direct flight to Jamaica is only about an hour longer than that to Mexico and we found the food, people and variety of activities to be superior than Mexico.

[Bayside Corals]

I have also been to Xel-Ha and would not spend the money to go back. Lots of fish but hardly any coral if any at all.

I did my Certification with The Akumel Dive shop in and around that area and it was ok. Saw some Sea Turtels which were cool but Cozumel and Cuba were better in my opinion as there was alot more coral diversity to go along with the fish.

Colby

[Treebeard]

There is no special certification is required to dive the cenotes unless the dive is listed as a cave dive.

Originally Posted by sphelps

If you do go to the Myan, do lots of research and find out exactly where you should go and be prepared to do it without tour groups. I think our biggest mistake was going in a reputable tour group, we went to a bay in Akumal which is apparently known for snorkeling but it had brackish water which really screwed up the visibility. My gf has been to Xel-Ha but says it's over rated with a good amount of fish but nothing much else to see.

The cenotes were definitely the coolest part of the trip. Not 100% sure but you may need special certification to dive them though.

[russp]

we go to Akumal every winter & stay at the Akumal Beach Resort , it is a small 3 star all inclusive resort. the rooms are nothing great , the food is good but the location is the best anywhere in the Mayan Riviera. y ou can walk out in the bay in front of the hotel & swim with giant sea turtles ,we regularly see 6-8 turtles every time we snorkle. as well we have seen leopard rays , cow nose ray , & dozens of sand rays of all sizes, barracuda all types of angelfish ,anemones etc. walk 3 minutes down the beach & you are in town, not a posh resort but a great place to stay & close to everything you need. the cenote tours are great as well & available for cert. divers or snorkelers.

[Treebeard]

Just in case you are missing the beach...

Originally Posted by russp

we go to Akumal every winter & stay at the Akumal Beach Resort , it is a small 3 star all inclusive resort. the rooms are nothing great , the food is good but the location is the best anywhere in the Mayan Riviera. y ou can walk out in the bay in front of the hotel & swim with giant sea turtles ,we regularly see 6-8 turtles every time we snorkle. as well we have seen leopard rays , cow nose ray , & dozens of sand rays of all sizes, barracuda all types of angelfish ,anemones etc. walk 3 minutes down the beach & you are in town, not a posh resort but a great place to stay & close to everything you need. the cenote tours are great as well & available for cert. divers or snorkelers.

[russp]

sure, now i won't be able to get any work done cause i will be watching the web cam all day. last year we stood in front of the camera & called home to our kids , they thought it was neat. can't wait till january