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SNORKELING
We love to Snorkel! It's great way to relax and enjoy the beauty of Akumal's Coral Reefs and Marine Life. Snorkeling can also be an excellent aerobic activity. You don't have to give up your exercise program to enjoy your vacation. You need not be a strong swimmer to enjoy snorkeling. Floating in 4 feet of water can provide you as much enjoyment as snorkeling the length of the bay.
You will need a mask, fins and snorkel. If you are serious about snorkeling we recommend that you purchase your own equipment. The Original Akumal Dive Shop has quality equipment for sale at prices that are competitive with those in the US. If you prefer, quality equipment is available for rent at The Original Akumal Dive Shop, the Akumal Dive Center and Akumal Dive Adventures. Snorkel equipment, including mask, fins and snorkel, rent for $8.00 US per day or $40.00 US per week. Comfortable, low profile life vests are also available for rent at The Akumal Dive Shop.
We recommend that you rent for the entire week and take your snorkel equipment with you everywhere you go. There are beaches and "cenotes" to explore everywhere you go along The Riviera Maya.
Within Akumal are 3 excellent locations for snorkeling:
Akumal Bay, Half Moon Bay and Yal-Ku Lagoon.
Akumal BayAkumal Bay is the center of activity in Akumal. The sandy sloping beach makes this a great family beach. Akumal Bay is protected by coral reef so the water is always calm and clear. Akumal Bay has a gradual sandy slope and very little current so it is great for kids and beginning snorkelers. Near the outer reef depth averages 10-15 feet. However there is excellent snorkeling from the shoreline out. Scattered through Akumal Bay are many coral heads, each a mini eco-system in itself. The calm warm waters of Akumal Bay act as a nursery for many species of tropical fish. One of my favorites, the juvenile Spotted Drum can be seen near many of the coral heads.
Akumal
is well known among coral reef researchers and enthusiasts for the many
varieties of coral that grow in the nearby vicinity.
Look just around the base of the coral. You will see many species of juvenile
fish, sea anemones, brightly colored shrimp, sea horses and occasionally
a golden spotted eel. You can also see sea turtles coming in to Akumal
Bay for
a bite of turtle grass, eagle rays, green moray eels and barracuda. Remember
to treat all marine life with respect.
Half Moon BayThe beach of Half Moon Bay is an important Sea Turtle Nesting Ground. Beginning in May and continuing on through early September, two species of sea turtle come ashore the beaches of Half Moon Bay to dig their nests and lay eggs. Half Moon Bay is fairly shallow with a grassy and somewhat rocky bottom. You can find elk horn, brain and many other species of coral scattered throughout. The maximum depth of Half Moon Bay is 15 feet, but you can cover a lot of area and not exceed six feet of water. This makes great snorkeling! Populated with schools of bright blue tangs and large moonlight parrot fish, Half Moon Bay is a thriving and colorful marine eco-system.
During the spring sea turtles can be seen mating in Half Moon Bay. Like Akumal Bay, a small barrier of coral reef protects Half Moon Bay. We recommend that you wear water socks in Half Moon Bay to protect your feet. If you are staying in any of the condominiums along Half Moon Bay you have easy access to great snorkeling. If your accommodations are on the Lagoon or near Akumal Bay you can access Half Moon Bay via La Buena Vida Restaurant after a nice lunch.
Yal-Ku
LagoonYal-Ku Lagoon is much loved by those of us who live here. The waters of Yal-Ku are turquoise blue and very clear. The lagoon is exactly what you hope for when you think of diving into blue Caribbean waters. Yal-Ku is a narrow inlet through which fresh water traveling via underground rivers reaches the Caribbean Sea. It is dotted with small islands of flora where you will see Ibis, Blue Heron, Pelicans, and other beautiful and interesting birds. Yal-Ku averages 14 feet in depth and there is no beach. Just jump in!
The mixture of fresh and salt water is cool and refreshing. Snorkel toward the mouth of the Lagoon and see stingrays and beautiful shells in the sandy bottom below. Sea Turtles also come into the opening of the lagoon to feed. Inland, toward the entrance of the lagoon you will Damsel Fish, Stoplight Parrot Fish, many other species of brightly colored tropical fish. Yal-Ku is an important link between the mangrove and sea.
It acts as a nursery for many species of fish and other marine life.
At different times throughout the year you may see schools of thousands
of juvenile fish.
For more information on mangrove and ocean ecology and it's importance
to the health of our coral reefs visit the Ecological Center of Akumal's
web
site.
Entrance fee of $5.00 US per adult and $2.50 US per child is charged at
the entrance. Yal-Ku Lagoon is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM everyday. Guests
of villas
located along
the lagoon have free and easy access to the lagoon at all times.
SCUBA DIVING
Scuba divers have known Akumal for years. The calm water and gentle current make Akumal a great place for drift diving and an exceptionally nice place for new divers. Dive sites are less than ten minutes by boat along the world's second largest barrier reef.
We are proud to say that Akumal’s local dive shops are well run and never crowded. Whether you come as an individual or with a group, you get personal attention from trained Divemasters with extensive experience in these waters.
Ocean dive tours begin at the staging area located at each dive shop. There you set up all equipment needed for the dive. Dive shops use aluminum 80 cu. ft. tanks filled to 3000 psi. After checking all the equipment your group moves to the 28' open panga boats. Dive boats are normally limited to a maximum of eight divers plus dive master and captain. Special arrangements can be made for larger groups.
Dive trips are scheduled at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily. Night dives begin at dusk. If you are diving with a group of 6 to 8 divers, a boat with divemaster can be made available to you to fit your schedule. The 9:30 dive is between 60' - 100'. The 11:30, 2:30 and night dives are between 30' to 60'. The Dive Master selects the dive site from over 30 locations within a 5 to 15 minute boat ride. All dives are drift dives over stunning coral reefs. Typically currents are not strong and we have abundant reefs to enjoy a slow pace. Water temperature averages 82°F. Visibility ranges from 50' to 150' weather depending. We recommend a darlex or light wet suit during the winter months.
If you are comfortable in the water you can learn to Scuba Dive. Full certification courses are available at all of Akumal’s local dive shops. If you aren’t sure, start with a resort course. This is a four-hour course that includes an academic lecture, practice water session in Akumal Bay and an open water dive along Akumal’s shallow reef. It’s a great way to spend the day and get a glimpse of what it’s like to fly through the water.
You might also want to check with your local dive shop about a universal referral course. This gives you the opportunity to obtain a full certification by doing your classroom and pool work locally and completing your open water training over two days during your visit to Akumal. The referral course is a great way to learn to dive in Akumal’s warm clear water without using too much of your vacation time.
If you are interested in finding out more about scuba diving and Akumal’s
local dive shops, please check out the following links:
1. PADI PADI is the world’s leading
certification agency. The website has up-to-date dive infomation and is a good
way to find information on dive centers and resorts; Weekly dive related news;
Monthly email newsletter and lots more.
http://www.padi.com/
2. The Akumal Dive Shop Akumal’s
original dive shop and still a great facility. Open Water, Night, Cave and
Cavern Diving. Also great for deep sea fishing. Website offers a complete description
of services and current pricing.
http://www.akumal.com/
3. Dive Ace Reef, cavern and cave diving,
dive instruction, and cavern snorkel tours IMAX's Journey into Amazing Caves
dive sites with Jorge Gonzalez from the film
http://www.diveace.com/
4. Akumal Dive Center Located
on Akumal Bay. Some dive hotel packages. Nice facility with pier for easy entry
to boats.
http://www.akumaldivecenter.com/
EXPLORING THE RIVIERA MAYA
There are many ways to explore the jungles, ruins and villages that are scattered through out the Riviera Maya. Below we have listed a few of our favorites. If you have any questions or would like more information please feel free to contact us. E-Mail info@akumaldirect.com. Toll Free at 877-489-6600
Explore
Sacred Places with Hilario Aguilar Hilario Aguilar,
a well known Akumal local and long time resident of the Yucatan Peninsula,
offers custom tours that will take you off the beaten
path to discover the timeless beauty of Mexico's tropical wilderness. Visit
spectacular archeological sites unknown to many travelers. Join a Mayan Family
for a traditional meal in a small village where the Mayan culture and traditions
remain a part of daily life.
For Information
In Akumal,phone: 52(984)875-9066 in Mexico,phone: 01-52(984)875-9066
From USA,phone: 011-52(984)875-9066
Or visit Hilario across the street from la Joya Condos
Hilario's Tours Include:
Hilario is an expert on the ancient and modern Maya and is very knowledgeable about the area's distinctive ecosystems. Hilario is a delightful eccentric who provides educational and enjoyable tours to some of the areas less known and most spectacular sites.
Sian Ka'an
Biosphere Reserve
The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is the second largest protected area in Mexico.
Sian Ka'an (which means "where the sky is born" in Mayan) is home
to hundreds of species, birds, peccaries, tapirs, alligators, manatees, iguanas,
fish and sea turtles.
This trip takes you to the jungle ruins of Muyil-Chunyaxche located in old
growth jungle of Sian Ka'an. You will marvel at the diversity of ecosystems;
sea cenote, jungle, mangrove, marsh, savanna and lagoons renown for bird and
butterfly observation.
Coba
This tour includes a visit to the ancient mystery-school kingdom of Coba and
an authentic Mayan meal with handmade tortillas. Top off your adventure by
shopping with local artisans and touring cenotes.
Snorkel
Sacred Cenotes
Cenotes are natural, water-filled openings to the Mayan underworld. The Maya
believe these fresh water springs are places where spiritual journeys begin.
They are haunting, beautiful and unique, a rare experience.
Hilario is a PADI Open Water Instructor, Cavern Diving Instructor and experienced Cave diver. Ask about visiting a dry cave containing an ancient Mayan altar and shrine!
Chichen
Itza and Uxmal
Overnight tours to these famous Mayan Ruins are a must see adventure. Please
ask for more information.
Hilario's Fees are:
$120 US for up to 3 people.
$40 US for each additional person.
Eco
Colors, Eco-Tourism in the Mayan World Eco
Colors is a family operated Eco-Tourism guide service. The tours include
a variety of different
activities such as biking, bird watching, hiking,
kayaking, snorkeling, visiting archeological sites and much more. Most include
overnight stays in camp type settings.
Do you have comments or suggestions on diving, snorkeling and
exploring the Yucatan?
Please let us know so we can pass it along!
E- Mail Us Now.
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Akumal Direct Reservations,
Journeyer, LLC. All rights reserved.
