Back with a report, as promised. Dived March 11, 12 and 14 with Blue Experience. Same fine full service: the Mr had to carry his own tank out to the boat, and the younger women chose to, but I didn’t; wet stuff was stored and returned for us the next day, rinsed and dry; rental gear in very good shape; patient, clear guiding. Both Tim and Kathrin went in with us if there were four clients. They have changed host shops since the last time I was there, and are now setting out from the Akumal Dive Shop, which is very well set up with lockers, rinse tanks, showers and change areas.Three different captains served us, all competent, two of them very attentive. We were underwater within 5-10 minutes of setting out each time.
There was sargassum to wade through on the way out to the boat, not that gross since we were wearing wetsuits and boots. Workers were making an effort to clear it, and there may be less when you arrive — luck of the winds.
On the down side , I have to say the coral and fish life were not in as good shape as a few years ago, and it was only medium then. Now, as driftwood reported, there is too much algae. Colours and vis happened not to be great on two of the days. A few schools, a decent selection of the usual Caribbean suspects, only one or two lion fish, and the statutory turtles. Lots of gorgonians and you can see that there had been a variety of coral species, but they didn’t look very healthy. A fair amount of rubble. I would suggest you give Akumal a chance on a bright day, but see who might take you over to Cozumel for serious fun.
Granddaughter had gifted me with the beginnings of mild cold symptoms that I thought I was fighting okay, but I had real ear issues on the second dive of the third day. Tim was quite good about helping me go down slowly whilst encouraging Mr T to explore beneath us, and I ascended very slowly indeed at the end, but that put an end to our dives for the week.
Access to the beach is now impossible through the grounds of the Hotel Akumal Caribe, which has put up fences and a container barrier, and the only access is a turnstile beside/inside the Akumal Dive Shop. Feels a bit unwelcoming. Maybe it cuts down on touts on the beach? Never could find a way to sneak through others’ condos to the Half Moon Bay beach; a mountain of stored sargassum blocked the way from La Buena Vida to the rest of the beach.
Fine food and service at Turtle Bay Bakery and Cafe, La Taverna and La Lunita. We ate elsewhere too but those were the impressive ones. Enjoyed snorkelling at Yal-ku and Sac Actun (like you, kixy1, we have no cenote diving ambitions).
