Top 5 Snorkeling Spots in The Mayan Riviera

The Mayan Riviera is filled with beautiful beaches, jungles and cenotes. The Yukutan Peninsuila is made of limestone, and this compound breaks down in certain areas allowing the subterranean clean waters to flow below it. The following list is an easy snorkelers guide to good wildlife viewing on the Mayan Riviera, both in cenotes and in the Carribbean Sea.



5. Azul Cenote -
The Azul Cenote is located along the main highway between Play Del Carmen and Akumal. There are several tourist  recreational centers with cenotes to enter and explore on this highway. Because of their proximity to a main road, theses destinations are well trafficked and the amount of natural fish is reduced due to the tourists. They are nice to enjoy to see the geological make up. I find it more interesting though to look at the young beautiful bikini clad women than trying to find any real natural fish. This is a place to go babe watching and sun tanning as opposed to underwater wildlife exploring. However, if you are limited on time and resources, this is a good beginner destination to see what a cenote is all about.




4. Sandpoint, Cozumel
The Island of Cozumel, is a short ferry ride from Play Del Carmen. The cost is approximately 70 Pesos return. (2016). We read A blog that indicated that it was better and cheaper to follow the coast and dive off various points along the highway, than to take a tour with a glass bottom boat operator. Many local tour operators  can be found when you arrive off the ferry in Cozumel. As we walked away they kept dropping their price, so prepare  to bargain. I listened to the advice of the blogger, but was disappointed with the environment for snorkeling off the highway. Sandpoint is located next to an industrial ship restoration outfit, and close to the highway.  It felt too industrial and unclean to be enjoyable. There was a small amount of wildlife and really not worth the stop. The dive shop advised that the best way to see good underwater wildlife is to take a tour from one of the professional dive shop operators. They indicated that the boat operators at the ferry dock are too touristic and do not provide as good a diving experience. However, I would recommend either of these options as the road tour provided an unfriendly snorkeling experience. I believe that human development is depleting the wild life, and there is much less than in the past. One needs to take a boat nowadays to get away from the noise and pollution of the development on the island, to be in a more natural setting. My recommendation is to bargain with the boat operators when you exit the ferry in Cozumel and go explore away from the coast.



3. Corona Beach Club, Cozumel
This dive spot was recommended by our taxi driver and the blogger. It is at the end of the north side of Cozumel. My opinion is that the Mexican taxi drivers are more interested in bringing tourists to  places where they can eat, drink and party. Corona Beach Club is developed with a large outdoor restaurant, with washrooms and bar. The snorkeliing area is roped off so that one cannot get into much trouble getting lost at sea. My experience is that there is limited wildlife. However, excellent young females to keep you interested when you cannot find any good fish in the sea. Go to the bar, enjoy the vibe and guacamole and maybe good conversation. I hear the wifi is good there too!





2. Yal Ku, Akumal North

This is the best cenote I have found in the Mayan Riviera. Located in Akumal north, it is an open lagoon where the underwater fresh water cenotes meet the salty ocean. The waters look blurry because of the mix of salt and fresh water. There is a cover charge to enter, and the park environment is kept peaceful with spiritual statues and wooden benches for changing into your gear. There are lockers to rent and washrooms etc. However, this is the most plentiful fish haven I have seen in the Riviera. The Greatful Dead used to rent a home just behind Yal Ku and there are some interesting artists that live nearby. This is a must visit for those who want an easily accessible and wonderful snorkeling experience in the Mayan Riviera.



1. Akumal Bay, Akumal

Akumal means tortoise in Mayan, and Akumal Bay is an ecologically protected zone. The coral reef is 200 yards off the coast and it protects the turtles from predators. This is where they live and lay there eggs. It is surreal to be able to walk off a busy party beach and within 100 feet find huge tortoises grazing on the seaweed in the bay. The amount of tourists that frequent this bay is huge, and to my mind unbearable. You can see them swarming the tortoises and filming them with selfy sticks. They get too close for my approval, which detracts for the eco experience. In the past I had stayed just off the beach and would be able to snorkel early in the am before all the tourists arrive. I would recommend the same for you if you can.




 In addition to tortoises one can see large stingrays and barracudas in the waters. They are all peaceful, and there are few accounts of injury. Enjoy the encounter but give them space and respect. In the past there  was a tortoise information center to explain the turtles habits, but they have relocated. Apparently, the Akumal ecological society will begin controlling access to the beach as the number of tourists per day is putting too much pressure on the environment. Check out the Akumal Dive Shop for gear and information about the best diving. This is the top spot on the riviera for recreational snorkeling in my humble opinion


Hola,


The Adventure Guy