Akumal

[ibj40]

Actually those cannons came from the Mataceros wreck, 1741, further down the coast. The "Cannon House" was the base for the operation and they were sunk there during the late 50's early 60's excavation. You can see some of what they found at the museum in Puerto Adventuras.

The man who led the excavation was Pablo ??? and his bust is the one you see on your way from the parking lot to the bay.

If you want to put a cenote/ocean deal together, consider Dive Aventuras. Plus, if you go to do your ocean dives there, you can stop by the museum, which is not only awesome from a historical perspective, but also free (although we left a generous donation).

Their ocean trips leave from the marina are in PA, and I would bet they would pick you up (no guarantees, when we dive with them, we stay in PA) on the way to the centoes, as there are several good one's south of Akumal.

 

[scubawife]

Thanks for all the advice. We are staying at Bahia Principe Tulum, which I believe is actually located in Akumel. I am deffinatly planning on doing the cenotes, and snorkelling at Akumel bay for the turtles, we did that on our honeymoon and it was great. We are actually with a group of non divers, so I will prob do the cenotes and maybe one more day, that is why I wanted to know about the reefs close by.

Bahia is not in Akumal. (The only actual resort in Akumal is the Akumal Beach Resort which is right on Akumal Bay just a few minutes walk from the main public beach) The dive shop at the Bahia has some great DMs and a good reputaion. For your own convenience and to save the expense of the pricey area cab fares, or hassle of schlepping dive gear on the colectivo, I would suggest you just do your ocean dives with them. If you can get Matt or Jeff as your guide (I'm not sure if they are still with Bahia Divers, but ask), go ahead and do cenote dives through the shop too. They are both great DMs and cave guides. They've lived in the area for most of their life and have a lot of experience in the local cenotes and caves as well as knowing the reefs.

 

[crgravitt]

Just back from 2 weeks in Akumal (7/7-21) and stayed at Luna Azul - used Akumal Dive Center on Akumal Bay (first dive shop as you enter from Hwy 307). Great service and dive masters, too. Did 6 dives and visibility wasn't too bad considering the tropical storm that had passed just before we arrived.

We did see a fair amount of sea life, including turtles, barracudas, lobsters, rays (including a huge spotted eagle), porcupine fish, tas, damsels, sergeant majors, angel fish, file fish, and unfortunately, several lion fish.

Half Moon Bay (2nd bay on the way to Yal Ku) is calmer if you go just north of the half-way point and has some nice reefs, too.

Hope you enjoy your trip!

Crystal

 

[Grover48]

Great place to stay. Did you eat at La Lunita? We eat there at least twice during our two week stay.

I am friends with a couple who own a condo unit in Luna Azul.

Akumal Dive Center is who we dive with. Heading down in November for two weeks. Your message just whets my appetite for diving there and enjoying the food.

 

[scubawife]

Great place to stay. Did you eat at La Lunita? We eat there at least twice during our two week stay.

I am friends with a couple who own a condo unit in Luna Azul.

Akumal Dive Center is who we dive with. Heading down in November for two weeks. Your message just whets my appetite for diving there and enjoying the food.

If you're on Half Moon Bay, give Dive Adventures a try. Great shop and more convenient for you.

I thought you dive with Ivan & Natalie? Also a fantastic choice in Akumal. I would take them over Dive Center and Dive Shop.

 

[Grover48]

We normally stay on Yal Ku Lagoon. We have stayed in Villa Las Vigas, Quinta del Mar and Casa de los Suenos. My wife took a refresher course from Natalie and we hired her as a divemaster for the following day. That is the only dive experience we have had with her.

We have dove with Akumal Dive Center exclusively. I have dived in the cenotes through that outfit.

I have driven by the other shops and have not tried them. I did go into Akumal Dive Shop but was turned off by their lack of customer service and interest. I will be back in November and will give Dive Adventures a try as it is closer to where we stay.

Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[crgravitt]

What a small world! We dove with Ivan and Natalie once while there - Motorcycle Reef. One of the best dives we did and what a fun couple!

We didn't make it to La Lunita this time but ate at Que Onda (good), La Buena Vida (t-shirts were better than the food), Cueva del Pescador (ask for Carlos) and Turtle Bay Cafe (wifi!!!!) many times - also had the best coconut ice cream next door to Lol Ha!! For sweet bread, try the bakery/pizza shop in the pueblo (next to the pharmacy) - yum!

We got to experience a power outage when a construction crew just beyond the CEA apparently killed power to both bays. This happened around 3:30 or 4pm and power wasn't restored until after 10 that night! Thank goodness we had a couple of candles in the condo.

Cheers and happy diving!

Crystal

 

[Jewls]

I was recently in Akumal in June/ July and got to dive with Natalie and Ivan. Although Tropical Storm Alex seemed to linger around, I was lucky enough to get 2 dives in (of the 6 I had planned). We visited Motorcycle Reef and Lobster Reef. Both were very beautiful and lot's of turtles and fish. I thought the reefs looked awesome, but then again this was only my 3rd and 4th time ocean diving, so I'm easily impressed. Natalie and Ivan were very accommodating and easy to dive with, I would definetely recommend them to anyone diving in Akumal. I'll be back in Akumal again in November over Thanksgiving. Hope to get some more diving in this time!

 

[rob from nova scotia]

Actually those cannons came from the Mataceros wreck, 1741, further down the coast. The "Cannon House" was the base for the operation and they were sunk there during the late 50's early 60's excavation. You can see some of what they found at the museum in Puerto Adventuras.

The man who led the excavation was Pablo ??? and his bust is the one you see on your way from the parking lot to the bay.

Hi, yes i think his name is paulo, bantecourt. he lived in cozumel and used to come over in the 50s and dive that area. his daughters live there. the cannon house is owned by one daughter, his house. The cannons are in about 8 feet of water and can be seen close to that area. i snorkle down there on average about 2 times a week, i winter in playa.....if youd like to know more email
Hotel Akumal Caribe on the Caribbean South of Cancun in the Riviera Maya

 

[scubawife]

Hi, yes i think his name is paulo, bantecourt. he lived in cozumel and used to come over in the 50s and dive that area. his daughters live there. the cannon house is owned by one daughter, his house. The cannons are in about 8 feet of water and can be seen close to that area. i snorkle down there on average about 2 times a week, i winter in playa.....if youd like to know more email
Hotel Akumal Caribe on the Caribbean South of Cancun in the Riviera Maya

Pablo Bush Romero is the founder of Akumal and was the leader of the CEDAM expeditions that searched for Spanish Galleons. His daughters, Laura Bush Wolfe and Myrna Bush live in Akumal (and some of the time in the US). The Bush family owns Lol Ha, Hotel Akumal Caribe & Villas Maya Bungalows (and the beach concessions for Akumal Bay), Cannon House, Tajkumal and Villas Flamingo (a condo building on Half Moon Bay). Myrna's daughter, Gynna Sainz, opened a little restaurant on HMB at Flamingos called Gynn'AK. She's also a personal chef and a belly dancer. (I heard Lol Ha now has an Arabian Night occasionally with Gynna dancing).