snorkeling in Cozumel

jresch · 01-24-2006

Two years ago we took the ferry from Playa over to Cozumel and snorkeled at Chakenab (sp). Has anyone been to Cozumel lately?

blondyinnh · 01-24-2006

We snorkeled at Dzul-ha last year and liked it. You get your own locker for your personals. It was quiet there. We would go back.

ashburnva · 01-24-2006

I haven't been recently, but I enjoyed Dzul-Ha much more and there was no entry fee (thought if you are going to sit at tables, loungers you will be expected to eat or drink something).

Alan P · 01-24-2006

I was there last month and Wilma damaged the shallow reefs to the extend you might be better off going on a snorkel tour to some of the deeper reefs.

blondyinnh · 01-24-2006

Oh that's a shame. I guess that comes along with a big storm like that.

I didn't mind paying a fee either, we didn't know any different since we had only been there that one time.

FNM · 01-24-2006

I was wondering this too (about Chankenaab). I know the park is closed right now. We are going to PDC in May and would like to snorkel in Cozumel too. Dzul-ha sounds great, I've read good things about it. I hope the reefs weren't damaged by the hurricane. I really don't want to take a snorkel boat out. I get seasick every time w/ out w/out the dramamine!

Alan P · 01-24-2006

I just came off a Cozumel message board and they are still saying the shallow reefs took a significant hit and your best experience will be from a boat.Dzul-ha beach club has been rebuilt according to my sources.When I was there last month Chankenaab looked like a bomb went off around the area. Everything was completely gone.

jresch · 01-24-2006

thanks, I think I will stay away from Cozumel

ottawakate · 01-24-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan P

I just came off a Cozumel message board and they are still saying the shallow reefs took a significant hit and your best experience will be from a boat.Dzul-ha beach club has been rebuilt according to my sources.When I was there last month Chankenaab looked like a bomb went off around the area. Everything was completely gone.

I have a hard time believing that Dzul Ha could have been "rebuilt" in such a short time...surely someone on the forum has been over and can say for sure. If a "bomb went off next door" why would Dzul Ha be different.
Anybody out there with really recent info who can confirm what things are like? Dzul Ha was undergoing reno (across the road) last march when we were there, and it really is/was a nice spot to spend a day, particularly if you go early morning., to be there before the cruisers arrive and after they leave. Have friends going next week so any confirmation would be appreciated. We will be there in Feb to check ourselves. Really love cozumel and will do what we can to support the locals.

Mapchick · 01-24-2006

I saw pics of Dzul-Ha , they have rebuilt the palapa bar on the beach, I am hearing the fish are coming back, but the coral is damaged.

TnJ · 01-24-2006

Thats so sad. We enjoyed Dzul-Ha SOO much. Those corals were wonderful to explore. Am glad for the pix we got of it, but sad so much was lost

... Tj

blondyinnh · 01-24-2006

what cozumel board are you speaking of?

Alan P · 01-24-2006

travelnotes cc

louden48 · 01-24-2006

Ohhhh, too bad! We had a blast at Chankanaab last June. We were thinking about going back for a day when we come back down in June. Dzul Ha was also beautiful. If you are considering going out with a group on a tour...I know you said you get sick...but the Manta Ray that goes our of the El Cozumeleno is awesome. I think there is also a place where you can get on their tour boats in town, as well. Talk to Antonio at the dive shop for that info. Let me know if you need more info and I'll try to track down his email address. We had a small group when we went, unlike some of the other groups we saw from different tour companies, which were packed to the gills!

jvman · 01-28-2006

We were in Cozumel on Sunday, Jan 22. Took the ferry over from PDC to the Caleta marina and went out with Eagle Ray Divers. We went to 3 different reefs. The guide showed us a lot of fish, lobster, eels, water snake, and 3 rays. Had never been there before so can't say what condition the corral was in, but saw a lot. Sunday was a good day to go, only 1 small cruise ship was there. Jeff

01-24-2006	#1 (permalink)
jresch into ruins Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Alexandria Minnesota Posts: 66	snorkeling in Cozumel Two years ago we took the ferry from Playa over to Cozumel and snorkeled at Chakenab (sp). Has anyone been to Cozumel lately?

01-24-2006	#2 (permalink)
blondyinnh reposado Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Southern NH Posts: 1,079	We snorkeled at Dzul-ha last year and liked it. You get your own locker for your personals. It was quiet there. We would go back.

01-24-2006	#3 (permalink)
ashburnva way into it Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Ashburn, VA Posts: 167	I haven't been recently, but I enjoyed Dzul-Ha much more and there was no entry fee (thought if you are going to sit at tables, loungers you will be expected to eat or drink something).

01-24-2006	#4 (permalink)
Alan P very sparkly Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 28	I was there last month and Wilma damaged the shallow reefs to the extend you might be better off going on a snorkel tour to some of the deeper reefs.

01-24-2006	#5 (permalink)
blondyinnh reposado Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Southern NH Posts: 1,079	Oh that's a shame. I guess that comes along with a big storm like that. I didn't mind paying a fee either, we didn't know any different since we had only been there that one time.

01-24-2006	#6 (permalink)
FNM lost on fifth Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 11	I was wondering this too (about Chankenaab). I know the park is closed right now. We are going to PDC in May and would like to snorkel in Cozumel too. Dzul-ha sounds great, I've read good things about it. I hope the reefs weren't damaged by the hurricane. I really don't want to take a snorkel boat out. I get seasick every time w/ out w/out the dramamine!

01-24-2006	#7 (permalink)
Alan P very sparkly Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 28	I just came off a Cozumel message board and they are still saying the shallow reefs took a significant hit and your best experience will be from a boat.Dzul-ha beach club has been rebuilt according to my sources.When I was there last month Chankenaab looked like a bomb went off around the area. Everything was completely gone.

01-24-2006	#8 (permalink)
jresch into ruins Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Alexandria Minnesota Posts: 66	thanks, I think I will stay away from Cozumel

01-24-2006	#10 (permalink)
Mapchick life=playa Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 682	I saw pics of Dzul-Ha , they have rebuilt the palapa bar on the beach, I am hearing the fish are coming back, but the coral is damaged.

01-24-2006	#11 (permalink)
TnJ añejo Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: vuelo corto al PDC Posts: 2,045	Thats so sad. We enjoyed Dzul-Ha SOO much. Those corals were wonderful to explore. Am glad for the pix we got of it, but sad so much was lost ... Tj

01-24-2006	#12 (permalink)
blondyinnh reposado Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Southern NH Posts: 1,079	what cozumel board are you speaking of?

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01-24-2006	#13 (permalink)
Alan P very sparkly Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 28	travelnotes cc

01-24-2006	#14 (permalink)
louden48 Hillbilly Chica Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas Posts: 1,888	Ohhhh, too bad! We had a blast at Chankanaab last June. We were thinking about going back for a day when we come back down in June. Dzul Ha was also beautiful. If you are considering going out with a group on a tour...I know you said you get sick...but the Manta Ray that goes our of the El Cozumeleno is awesome. I think there is also a place where you can get on their tour boats in town, as well. Talk to Antonio at the dive shop for that info. Let me know if you need more info and I'll try to track down his email address. We had a small group when we went, unlike some of the other groups we saw from different tour companies, which were packed to the gills!

01-28-2006	#15 (permalink)
jvman lost on fifth Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 18	We were in Cozumel on Sunday, Jan 22. Took the ferry over from PDC to the Caleta marina and went out with Eagle Ray Divers. We went to 3 different reefs. The guide showed us a lot of fish, lobster, eels, water snake, and 3 rays. Had never been there before so can't say what condition the corral was in, but saw a lot. Sunday was a good day to go, only 1 small cruise ship was there. Jeff