Cozumel & Akumal
- Thread starter MarksReef
- Start date
The dive shop I work for takes a trip to Cozumel every year, except for this one. The scoop I got is that the island got hammered by the hurricanes last summer and it's still recovering. Hope your trip is good and the reports I heard of it's condition were exaggerated as to how far it's fallen as a destination of choice. If you do any diving, I'd love a report when you get back home from the trip.
Cancun was great, and I'm sure Cozumel is right along the same lines. Remember it's not just the "water" it's also the ice, the lettuce or other vegtables(washed in water), I was very careful and still got a mild case of "Montezumas Revenge". If I had to guess, I would say I got it form the ice, it was college spring break and we drank A LOT!! In fact I can still here the daquiris calling my name!!!
Bottled is the only safe water down there, IMO. I agree the resorts water is much less likely to make you sick but it still happens. Both times I have stayed at decent palces and I have friends that went down this past fall and stayed in a pretty upscale all inclusive resort so they didn't really leave much at all (Not sandals but somthing similar ???), and still got sick.
I'm certainly not trying to scare you. Even the water out of a faucet in a public restroom won't kill you (it just makes your stomach do summersalts for a day of two). I just think it's better to err or the side of caution. If you stay drunk you hardly even notice it!
On a brighter note... The SCUBA / snorkeling is fantastic. I didn't SCUBA myself, but did snorkel several times. Great time. The clubs and food were wonderful as well.
I'm certainly not trying to scare you. Even the water out of a faucet in a public restroom won't kill you (it just makes your stomach do summersalts for a day of two). I just think it's better to err or the side of caution. If you stay drunk you hardly even notice it!
On a brighter note... The SCUBA / snorkeling is fantastic. I didn't SCUBA myself, but did snorkel several times. Great time. The clubs and food were wonderful as well.
ONEMANBAND
New member
I was in Rivera Maya last week (just south of Cozumel on the mainland). We spent a week, but would loved to have stayed longer there is so much to do there. 86 degrees and blue sky every day . The waves were very high not even the big fishing boats could go out in the chop. The local divers told me they were thinking that by the end of March the ocean would settle down . However I did dive in Cenote Dos Ojos, which is a cavern dive in an underground freshwater river. I have never been cavern diving before it was a truly remarkable experience and would highly recommend it (only with a good guide and with experienced divers- kicking up silt in a cave is not very good for the visibility). The sun is mighty strong down there, the tops of my feet are still peeling. Most of my pre-trip websearches indicated major hurricane damage, but we really did not see much except for some downed trees and lots of construction workers. Enjoy your trip.
Paradise Beach in Cozumel is nice
The island isn't what it use to be.. Pretty Vacant due to huricane. No more Carlos n' Charlies!
Brings a good set of snorkel gear n' Fins. Last time i was there found some great places to dive. Lots of Fish, Triggers etc. Some caves to swim through. That was great. Its near the Nude beach!.. lol Not that it matters you could pull it off anywhere. Literally.
Check out the waters for sure.
The island isn't what it use to be.. Pretty Vacant due to huricane. No more Carlos n' Charlies!Brings a good set of snorkel gear n' Fins. Last time i was there found some great places to dive. Lots of Fish, Triggers etc. Some caves to swim through. That was great. Its near the Nude beach!.. lol Not that it matters you could pull it off anywhere. Literally.
Check out the waters for sure.
drtango
New member
We stayed at Xcaret last year and spent a day on Cozumel. If you're only a snorkler, apparently there's more to see on the mainland. We did a nice half day catamaran snorkel trip near Playa del Carmen that's worth a look. Xcaret is a great place to spend a day, underground rivers you can drift in, terrific snorkeling and snuba, swim with dolphins etc.etc.
See my avatar-----
Have fun
John
See my avatar-----
Have fun
John
drtango
New member
If you're not certified, maybe try "SNUBA"--you get to go 30-35 feet down, which is plenty, attached to a regulator/hose with a big tank up at the surface. In Mexico, there are nor forms or formalities---they pretty much just push you off the side of the boat. FWIW, I'm not sure I'd be comfortable going full SCUBA with a brief resort course....
XCaret has it all right there, some pretty decent snorkeling right off the lagoon, snuba on the reef or lagoon, sea turtles all over etc., and plenty of opportunities for an iced Corona or three on the beach....and some pretty neat stuff on Mayan culture.
John
XCaret has it all right there, some pretty decent snorkeling right off the lagoon, snuba on the reef or lagoon, sea turtles all over etc., and plenty of opportunities for an iced Corona or three on the beach....and some pretty neat stuff on Mayan culture.
John
My first dive ever was in Cozumel about 15 years ago. I wasn't even certified. I had about 30 minutes of pool instruction at the resort and the next thing I know, I was on a dive boat heading toward the Palancar Reef system and the Santa Rosa wall. Though I have completed about thirty dives since, those dives remain one of the most memorable. They were also my deepest dives to date at about 80-90 ft. The coral formations were incredible as well as the diversity of wildlife. You're guarenteed to see lots of large green morays, various rays, enormous brain corals, possibly octopus, sea turtles and all manner of Carribean fish. Just beware the fire coral. They are a red encrusting coral with a nasty sting. I look forward to returning one day. I also dove at Isla Mejores, a bit northeast of Cancun. That was a much less impressive dive.l No walls. Just half dead forests of elkhorn coral. I hope you find the reefs in tact. Have great (and safe) dives and please let us know what you observed.
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
You're gonna go to sleep before you post pictures!?
