Since we have a car for our week in Cancun I thought we might try to find a beach between Tulum and Cancun that we can snorkel at. I can't see spending money to go to Xel-ha or X-Caret since we've already been to both... It would be a bonus if it were secluded :hug: Any help would be appreciated.
I am going to keep an eye on this one also. I would love to go but I hate the tour thing or having to wear a vest. It sucks.
Some time ago, we stopped at Akumal with our children on our way back from Tulum. We had a nice time at the beach and, as I recall, there is good snorkeling especially in a area next to the main beach. However, I can't remember the name of the cove. I believe that it may be a national park/protected area that requires a payment to enter.
Will you have a rental car? Or going by bus? Just curious. The main bay at Akumal has excellent snorkeling. It's getting more and more popular/crowded though. The Half Moon Bay area of Akumal is excellent and uncrowded. Enter the bay at La Buena Vida restaurant. Both areas are free. Yal Ku lagoon in Akumal is a cenote-esque place. They charge a small fee Another idea is any of the cenotes along the highway down to Tulum. Hidden Worlds offers a really great cave snorkeling tour, or diving if you are certified. Puerto Morelos is apparently good too. Never been there though. Secluded? Head into the Sian Kaan reserve just south of Tulum. Lots of empty beaches there. Not much snorkeling though.
Puerto Morelos has great snorkeling, but not right off the beach. You can get snorkel trips from boat captains for anywhere from 300 - 500 pesos and well worth it, the reef is gorgeous there. Half Moon Bay is a favourite spot for us to snorkel right off the beach. As Lambert said, the restaurant La Buena Vida is a good jumping off point, there is a small dive/snorkel shop right next door where you can rent equipment. I also agree with Lambert about snorkeling cenotes, though Hidden Worlds is quite expensive. We went to Casa Cenote (in Tankah, just north of Tulum). Cost us 20 pesos to get in, but I believe you have to have your own gear. I've learned over the years that snorkeling is always better in the morning, especially in the shallower areas. Get out there early! Here's a short video of snorkeling Casa Cenote..... [media=youtube]oqo2ThSk_3Q[/media]
Thanks for the replies! I did see on other posts that Akumal was good. We will definitely check it out. We always bring our own equipment so the Cenotes would not be a problem. Lambert13 - we have a rental car so we are free to travel as we please. Thanks again guys!
After doing a little more reasearch I have seen people posting that the tours require you to wear a lifejacket while snorkeling. Are there any requirements for those who are not part of a tour? I don't want any hassles when we get to a reef... Thanx
I believe (and Canuck can correct if I am wrong) that if you snorkel at Puerto Morelos, the only way out to the reef is on a boat and they require you to wear a vest. As far as other areas it is usually up to you to decide whether or not to wear a vest if you're not on an organized tour. Somewhere like Halfmoon bay, a vest can help because the water is so shallow in some areas. Gotta be very careful to not touch the coral and preserve it for future generations. What Canuck said about getting out there early is very good advice. Less people out, less sediment stirred up, sun is not as strong, less wind whipping up the water.
I agree - early is always better. I hate the restriction of a vest. I have been snokeling for over 25 years now and know my way around a reef and the coral. The vest makes sense for those who don't understand how delicate the reef is. Hopefully they all know to use oil free sunscreen too... Thanks for your help lambert13 - again
