Snorkeling day trip sugg. from Puerto Morelos area?

[DSR-3]

I'm looking for a good snorkeling/day trip to take my non-diver wife on during our upcoming vacation near Puerto Morelos. Someplace with good (great?) snorkeling, maybe a good beach, and ? We've been to Cancun, PDC, and Coz a few times, but only really snorkeled on Coz and Isla Mujeres. In fact, a day trip to Coz is an option, although the ferry ride was pretty "tipsy" coming back last time... Never been to Xel-Ha, Xcaret, or Akumal. Thanks for any tips!

 

[geraldp]

I'm looking for a good snorkeling/day trip to take my non-diver wife on during our upcoming vacation near Puerto Morelos. Someplace with good (great?) snorkeling, maybe a good beach, and ? We've been to Cancun, PDC, and Coz a few times, but only really snorkeled on Coz and Isla Mujeres. In fact, a day trip to Coz is an option, although the ferry ride was pretty "tipsy" coming back last time... Never been to Xel-Ha, Xcaret, or Akumal. Thanks for any tips!

You've got lots of options. Dive Puerto Morelos will be glad to take you guys out on the Puerto Morelos reef for snorkeling. I dove with them last week and they're a great shop. They know the local reefs and fishes, and were a pleasure to work with. Check their webpage for snorkeling prices. I was planning on taking my non-diving family snorkeling with them on my last day, but I ended up getting sick :-( Another couple I talked to who went on a reef snorkeling tour with them had a great time.

Xel-Ha and Xcaret are other options, although a lot more expensive. I personally haven't snorkeled at Xcaret, but I spent an entire day at Xel-Ha. It was absolutely wonderful. We were dropped off at one end of the property and spent about 3 hours snorkeling out to the sea. There were lots of things to see and do along the way (rope swings, rope bridges, cliff jumping, people watching). Lots of fish to see. We had purchased the all-inclusive ticket, which allowed us all the food, drink, & desserts we wanted. Besides having lots of lockers all over the park, at the top of the river you can check in your non-swimming gear (sunglasses, hats, shoes, etc.) and they'll be waiting for you when you get out on the other side. You have the option of inner-tubing down the river, snorkeling with a floatation vest, or just plain snorkeling so it's plenty safe for people who might not be that comfortable in the water. In addition to the snorkeling and restaurants, there's a great nature walk around the park, and an area that has dolphins that you can pay to swim with.

Jerry

 

[Kat]

If you have your own mask, fins & snorkel there is no need to pay anyone to snorkel.

One of the best snorkeling spots in Pto. Morelos is right off the beach of the hotel Ojo de Aqua. On Av. Javier Rojo Gomez. Many of the large hotels bring bus loads of people, all day long, to snorkel there.

 

[catbrown]

Kat yes you can snorkel from the beach in front of Villas Playasol and Ojo de Agua and I often send people down there who just want to splash around and that is where I sometimes do my snorkel lessons and beach rescue set ups! There is now a concession stand there and guys who will try and sell you tours on ATV's and other trips and lots of day trippers from Cancun who know no better.

However the beach snorkel does not at all compare to the reef tour - certainly does not replace the tour and you would indeed be missing a great deal not to go to the reef itself including the skills and knowlege of the guides who will be able to point things out to you that would easily be missed.

 

[DSR-3]

Thanks for the response.
We'll probably jusy play it by ear. Xel-Ha looks like an interesting day trip, thanks for the feedback on that. Since I'll be diving w/Cat & DPM maybe a reef trip for one day or another. Can't wait!!