I heard there was great snorkeling off the beach in Punta Cancun, does anyone know exactly where, near which hotel and how far out? Also is there off the beach snorkeling in Isla Mujeres (besides Garrafon Park, we don't want to go there), particularly in the Playa Norte area?
Your best bet for snorkeling off shore would be Garrafon or Garrafon de Castillo beach club. Not much good snorkeling in Cancun proper or Playa Norte. You could also head down to Akumal and do Yal Ku, Half Moon Bay or the main beach. I would really suggest a boat ride to one of the reefs, totally worth it.
Search "underwater museum cancun" for the underwater sculptures. Also at Punta Nizuc near the Westin Regina (Southern tip of the Hotel Zone), walk to the South side of the beacon, great snorkeling there.
Thanks for the great suggestions...I guess if we are renting golf carts, we can go to Playa Norte to sun/hang out AND garrafon to snorkel for a bit...didnt want to have the expense of doing a boat tour as there are like 8 of us.
Garrafon Park is great as it is all inclusive, food, drink, everything, no worries. Garrafon de Castillo is right next door, I think it's still around $5 USD to get in, then drinks and food and equipment are extra. The snorkeling is great at both places and yes, they are accessible by golf carts. If you're renting a cart just to go to Playa Norte, you're missing the whole experience of Isla.
Well we were going to spend a day, rent 2 golfcarts and go around the island to shops, bars, and Playa Norte...how far down can we go to the other side, (the east side?)..
The shops, bars and Playa Norte are all congregated in the north end, close to the ferry dock and golf cart rental places. You can do a tour of the whole island on the golf cart, we usually just head south on the west side, take a lil jimmy to the right to Garrafon (and the turtle farm and Playa Lancheros for lunch). Then head to Punta Sur (best views on the island for SURE), then back up on the east side to Playa Norte. The golf cart guys should give you a map, but it's really just one big circle if you stay on the main road.
