Akumal??

[reddiver970]

Has anyone done any diving in Akumal, if so how was it??? I have been a little discouraged from what I have read about the diving. I am taking the whole family and the snorkeling looks perfect for our kids, they are very excited to snorkel with turtles! I would probably do a day in the cenotes, but also was hoping for some decent ocean dives. Opinions???

 

[farsidefan1]

I've heard the snorkeling is very good. Sorry but know nothing of the diving. But your kids should love it

 

[reddiver970]

Yeah,from what I have seen it would be perfect for them..,, I guess if the diving isn't great I will have an excuse to book another dive trip!

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

We've been there numerous times, usually staying at Villas de Rosa, and generally dive the cenotes in the morning and the ocean in the afternoon. While the reefs are not as nice as the other side of the channel (Cozumel) they are still healthy and full of life.

Enjoy!

 

[reddiver970]

Valaika, that sounds good.

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

Glad to be able to help, you can email me at dave@indianvalleyscuba.com for any more information that you wish!

 

[gtimm]

I'm a fellow Coloradan who has been to Akumal several times because my wife likes the area's resorts (read that as beaches, pools and restaurants). My comments stem from the point of view that a day of diving is far better than no diving. That being said, the reef diving marginal at best. Not much fish life and the coral isn't real healthy. Viz also is only so-so. If you haven't done any cenote diving I would recommend trying it. It's entirely different than ocean diving. The rock formations are the reason to dive cenotes, and it is unlike anything you have dived. Crystal clear! Snorkeling in the bay Akumal is situated on is marginal because of sandy bottoms and compromised viz. But likely your kiddos won't really mind. And the village of Akumal is a nice change from the usual Mexico destinations. Have fun, but realize this really isn't a dive destination for serious ocean divers -- cenotes excepted.

 

[TSandM]

I've only ever done one ocean dive off the mainland, and that was off Akumal. I didn't see any reason to do any more . . . I quite enjoy snorkeling, even if the viz isn't great and the coral is dead, if you can see a few fun fish. But paying to go out on a boat and see the same thing didn't really send me.

 

[reddiver970]

Thanks to everyone for the input. What is the shuttle/bus ride from Cancun like? Two adults and four kids probably puts renting a car out of the question.

 

[browntrout]

Go to locogringo.com and you can get a ton of info on the area and transfers. We did our first ocean dives and Dos Ojos cenote in 2009 in Akumal. Needless to say we loved them at the time it was our first time in the ocean. We returened with our kids in 2010 and they now ask to go to Akumal rather than Disneyworld. The bays are perfect for kids for swimming and there are some great beaches for playing in the waves and building sand castles. Since diving Akumal we've now dove Cozumel, Channel Islands and Roatan twice. Although the diving isn't great in Akumal I would dive there again. The sites are a short boat ride, the visibilty is good and there are fish and turtles to see. You're just not going to see a lot of vibrant coral and sponges. Dos Ojos is not to be missed!!!