Crystal-clear waters, the beauty of the Mesoamerican Reef, the second longest in the world, and an ever-changing parade of colorful marine creatures of all shapes and sizes. Go snorkeling on your next vacation, it’s easy, fun for all the family and addictive. Try it once and you’ll be ready to plan your next snorkeling adventure! There are plenty of shallow water reefs, sheltered bays and inlets in the Mexican Caribbean for face-to-face encounters with shimmering fish.
Where to start exploring the Mesoamerican Reef? Protected by a marine reserve, the chain of shallow water reefs in the bay between Isla Mujeres and Cancun and south to Punta Nizuc, is an excellent place to begin and you can be back in your resort in time for lunch. Trips are available to the reefs off Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc in Cancun and El Farito and Manchones Reef approaching Isla Mujeres.
The Cancun-Isla Mujeres National Marine Park has another attraction to offer snorkelers, the Underwater Sculpture Museum (MUSA). More than 400 statues, most by British sculptor Jason deCaires-Taylor, are submerged in several “galleries” in the park, including Punta Nizuc and Manchones Reef. Now covered with tiny growing corals and sponges, they are becoming a habitat for marine creatures such as lobsters and fish.
South of Cancun, and protected by a national marine park, the Puerto Morelos reefs are some of the most beautiful and pristine in the area. They are home to species such as angelfish, trunkfish, snappers and octopus.
You can take the ferry from Playa del Carmen to the island of Cozumel, one of the world’s top dive destinations with a chain of majestic coral reefs off the southern coast and more than 300 fish species. There are shallow water reefs such as Chancanaab that are ideal for snorkeling too.
In the Riviera Maya, Akumal is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving. Marine life is varied and abundant, even in the shallows and along the reefs at the mouth of the bay. Purple and yellow Royal grammas, spotted drums and damselfish dart through the corals and parrotfish and eagle rays are frequently observed. The greatest thrill of all, however, is to spot a green or loggerhead turtle grazing on sea grass in the bay. Akumal means “place of the turtles” in Maya.
A short drive to the north of Akumal following the coast road is an inlet or caleta called Yalku frequented by a variety of colorful fish from the offshore reef. Look out for sergeant majors, parrot and butterfly fish, blue tangs and French grunts.
Always a good place for a family outing, Xel-Ha is hailed by locals as one of the world’s largest natural aquariums. Rainbow-colored fish from nearby reefs feed and breed in the inlet and as soon as they venture into the water, swimmers will see sergeant majors, blue chromis and one of the park’s emblems, the solitary parrotfish. Snorkel over to the rocks and further into the lagoons and you’ll see even more marine life.
Thomas More Travel has a variety of snorkeling and scuba diving trips, including PADI resort courses for those who fall in love with the coral world after their snorkeling trip and want to learn how to dive.
Book snorkeling and scuba adventures with Thomas More Travel online at www.thomasmoretravel.com or at the travel desk in your resort.
