Is there one OK shore dive near Akumal?

[Grajan]

We are planning a quick trip to the Akumal area next month. The boat diving looks fine but we like to do a night dive pretty much every night and that never happens with the dive ops.

What we need is one spot where we can go that has reasonable access and more to see than sand and fire coral. We have no problem going to the same spot each time as it is fun to get to know a site, particularily at night. On-site accomodation would be a bonus.

If you know anything that fits this bill please let us know.

Thanks

 

[scubawife]

Grajon, there really isn't shore diving in Akumal. The bays are pretty shallow quite a ways out. All the shops there usually require 3 or 4 divers for a night dive. Since it's turtle nesting season I'm not sure if there would be night dives at all. Check with the shop you're using. If they aren't diving and if it's allowed during nesting, the night snorkeling is pretty good in Half Moon Bay and Akumal Bay. There are even night snorkel tours that get good reports. I don't remember if it's a dive shop or the CEA that organizes them.

It's been a very active season in Akumal so far. Last weeks report said they had 115 nests identified and recorded. The CEA (www.ceakumal.org) organizes nightly turtle walks. The teams lead by CEA staff are given a briefing and then head out to assist in the indentifying and recording info on the nest's location, nesting mother as well as the size and number of eggs left. If nests are found in places that may not give the eggs a good chance or the nest has been distrubed, they are relocated. It's not night diving, but it could be a really neat experience that you wouldn't find elsewhere.

 

[Grajan]

Thanks for the very quick response. The turtle idea is nice but we have seen that a few times. We don't get many trips each year and we really are night diving junkies so I guess we will need to look elsewhere.

Thanks again.

Grajon, there really isn't shore diving in Akumal. The bays are pretty shallow quite a ways out. All the shops there usually require 3 or 4 divers for a night dive. Since it's turtle nesting season I'm not sure if there would be night dives at all. Check with the shop you're using. If they aren't diving and if it's allowed during nesting, the night snorkeling is pretty good in Half Moon Bay and Akumal Bay. There are even night snorkel tours that get good reports. I don't remember if it's a dive shop or the CEA that organizes them.

It's been a very active season in Akumal so far. Last weeks report said they had 115 nests identified and recorded. The CEA (www.ceakumal.org) organizes nightly turtle walks. The teams lead by CEA staff are given a briefing and then head out to assist in the indentifying and recording info on the nest's location, nesting mother as well as the size and number of eggs left. If nests are found in places that may not give the eggs a good chance or the nest has been distrubed, they are relocated. It's not night diving, but it could be a really neat experience that you wouldn't find elsewhere.

 

[redacted]

Wife and I snorkeled in front of the Oasis Porta Adventuras. It would have been a great shore dive but we were fairly new and didn't know how to get tanks. Access could also be a problem if you are not staying there. Lots of coral and life with depths dropping off fairly quickly to 50+ ft. Closest DS was Mike Maddens. You might try contacting them to see what they can offer.

 

[RTodd]

Wife and I snorkeled in front of the Oasis Porta Adventuras. It would have been a great shore dive but we were fairly new and didn't know how to get tanks. Access could also be a problem if you are not staying there. Lots of coral and life with depths dropping off fairly quickly to 50+ ft. Closest DS was Mike Maddens. You might try contacting them to see what they can offer.

Maddens has not had a store in PA for years. I assume you already have a trip booked. But, if you don't and this is primarily a diving vacation go to Cozumel instead. The ocean diving out of Akumal is really sub par compared to Cozumel. There could easily be some shore dives I don't know about because I have only done a few open water dives in the area, but even with scooters it was a haul to get more than 10-20' of depth from the shore (i.e no need for tanks).

 

[wb416]

We are planning a quick trip to the Akumal area next month. The boat diving looks fine but we like to do a night dive pretty much every night and that never happens with the dive ops.

What we need is one spot where we can go that has reasonable access and more to see than sand and fire coral. We have no problem going to the same spot each time as it is fun to get to know a site, particularily at night. On-site accomodation would be a bonus.

If you know anything that fits this bill please let us know.

Thanks

I didn't have any luck finding shore diving in Akumal last year. Ended up doing mostly cenotes and cave dives (it's always a night dive in a cave!).

bob

 

[Pez de Diablo]

Sorry, I don't know of any shore diving. If you have a couple of dates in mind let me know and I could probably round up a couple more people for a night dive in Puerto Aventuras off a boat.

 

[Grajan]

Thanks Pez,
We are going to get a few night dives on Coz before we come over to do the cenote dive with you so I think we will probably be OK.

Graham

Sorry, I don't know of any shore diving. If you have a couple of dates in mind let me know and I could probably round up a couple more people for a night dive in Puerto Aventuras off a boat.

 

[Pez de Diablo]

I look forward to it! I am usually booked a week in advance, just keep this in mind.

Dennis

 

[Grajan]

Dennis,
We are already booked - (Graham Openshaw)

Looking forward to meeting you.

I look forward to it! I am usually booked a week in advance, just keep this in mind.

Dennis