Crystal-clear waters, the fantastic thing about the Mesoamerican Reef, the second longest on this planet, and an ever-altering parade of colourful marine creatures of all sizes and styles. Go snorkeling in your subsequent trip, it’s straightforward, enjoyable for all of the household and addictive. Strive it as soon as and also you’ll be able to plan your subsequent snorkeling journey! There are many shallow water reefs, sheltered bays and inlets within the Mexican Caribbean for face-to-face encounters with shimmering fish.
The place to begin exploring the Mesoamerican Reef? Protected by a marine reserve, the chain of shallow water reefs within the bay between Isla Mujeres and Cancun and south to Punta Nizuc, is a wonderful place to start and you may be again in your resort in time for lunch. Journeys can be found to the reefs off Punta Cancun and Punta Nizuc in Cancun and El Farito and Manchones Reef approaching Isla Mujeres.
The Cancun-Isla Mujeres Nationwide Marine Park has one other attraction to supply snorkelers, the Underwater Sculpture Museum (MUSA). Greater than 400 statues, most by British sculptor Jason deCaires-Taylor, are submerged in a number of “galleries” within the park, together with Punta Nizuc and Manchones Reef. Now coated with tiny rising corals and sponges, they’re turning into a habitat for marine creatures akin to lobsters and fish.
South of Cancun, and guarded by a nationwide marine park, the Puerto Morelos reefs are among the most lovely and pristine within the space. They’re house to species akin to angelfish, trunkfish, snappers and octopus.
You’ll be able to take the ferry from Playa del Carmen to the island of Cozumel, one of many world’s prime dive locations with a sequence of majestic coral reefs off the southern coast and greater than 300 fish species. There are shallow water reefs akin to Chancanaab that are perfect for snorkeling too.
Within the Riviera Maya, Akumal is a well-liked spot for snorkeling and diving. Marine life is diversified and plentiful, even within the shallows and alongside the reefs on the mouth of the bay. Purple and yellow Royal grammas, noticed drums and damselfish dart by way of the corals and parrotfish and eagle rays are incessantly noticed. The best thrill of all, nonetheless, is to identify a inexperienced or loggerhead turtle grazing on sea grass within the bay. Akumal means “place of the turtles” in Maya.
A brief drive to the north of Akumal following the coast highway is an inlet or caleta known as Yalku frequented by quite a lot of colourful fish from the offshore reef. Look out for sergeant majors, parrot and butterfly fish, blue tangs and French grunts.
All the time an excellent place for a household outing, Xel-Ha is hailed by locals as one of many world’s largest pure aquariums. Rainbow-coloured fish from close by reefs feed and breed within the inlet and as quickly as they enterprise into the water, swimmers will see sergeant majors, blue chromis and one of many park’s emblems, the solitary parrotfish. Snorkel over to the rocks and additional into the lagoons and also you’ll see much more marine life.
Thomas More Travel has quite a lot of snorkeling and scuba diving journeys, together with PADI resort programs for individuals who fall in love with the coral world after their snorkeling journey and wish to learn to dive.
Ebook snorkeling and scuba adventures with Thomas Extra Journey on-line at www.thomasmoretravel.com or on the journey desk in your resort.
