Expert Snorkeling, Secret Tips, Bus Rides

Micajah · 01-29-2004

Hello Snorkelers and Divers

Okay I live here, have read EVERY post on snorkeling and diving on this board, and mananged to find some cool snorkeling places, but i want MORE! ..hahaah

I am an EXPERT Snorkeler, this means I can swim for hours on end, I don't get tired, I can take on large waves, channles, hover inches over the coral or scoot over it and inbetween waves, etc. etc. I also have a blow up boat , or can swim out to reefs. I have a snorkel buddy for safety.

So far I have snorkeled all the local Playa spots I can get to:

The reef infront of Coco beach - a lot of fish, murky water, sharks, boats, jet-ski's, waves, not for kids on the outisde but inside is ok.

The Gardens Reef - Boat tours will charge you $30 to get there, you can catch a bus for 30 cents at 15th and 8th infront of the Gov building, its the 30/30 bus, ride it all the way out for about 10 mins, it will eventually turn right and go down towards the beach way out there. You want to get off when the road gets to a T on a dirt road, there is a small corner store on your right, bushes ahead, and the Bus goes LEFT. Here you will see a wide dirt access road going to the beach, 30 feet left of the T. ... Walk down this road and you will hit a beach with a Trailer on the right, and a bunch of abandoned boats lying around. You may see some locals here, and the guy in the trailer is a fisherman with yappy dogs. Dead ahead out about 150 - 200m is El Jardien Reef, or The Gardens. The Water is very clear, about 20 feet deep, lots of corals (brain and fans), some fish but not very many. When I was there, 4 boats unleashed a school of Yellow Preserver Snorkel Newbies. So if you are a decent swimmer, you can swim there and back no problem.

So now I need MORE places to go. I don't have a car so I like to use the Cheap $3 bus rides to get places.

I only want the best, which to me means lots of fish, and not yet ruined by hoardes of people. So far it seems like Yal-ku lagoon to Half moon bay are the best options. So they are on my list, anyone know how to BUS to them? Or maybe a Bus/Cab/Walk combo?

#2 - JAMES and other divers here (James do I have to buy you another JD and coke for this answer

)

Where are the best snorkel spots that could be bussed/cabbed to like my post above, where you can swim out to the Reef or I can use my blow up boat to get to? Maybe another shallow dive reef? Some reef I am missing?

Cozumel I may get to, but its a $15 Ferry Ride + more cabs. I am looking for snorkel trips for under say $6 a way ($4 bus ride + $2 cab ride)

Thanks and I am sure there are other expert snorkelers who would love this info.

**james** · 01-29-2004

grab a collectivo on 2nd Street heading south. Tell the driver you want to get off at XpuHa. There's now a huge sign "La Playa" there (I don't remember the entrance number... X-2, X-3, X-4...). Walk in (the beach is conveniently close, it's a short walk) and snorkel. Elias runs the diveshop there (formerly Aquanauts) and is a really nice and honest guy.

Swim out. It's nice.

To declare coco beach murky is not accurate. It can be very clear also. Depends.

**sctx** · 01-29-2004

There is a pretty cool area in Tankah about 200 meters South of Casa Cenote and about 200-300 meters from shore, look for a small "dock" floating in the water and head past it towards the reef... it's kinda a maze of sand and coral tunnels, lots of stingrays to chase ( the rest of the bay is cool also, as well as the cave directly in front of CC). The next bay North (tankah 3????) is pretty sweet also once you get out to the reef, actually saw a lobster there a couple of years ago, right before the breakers slammed me into the reef...(Lalo dropped us and his daughter off on the ocean side of the reef on a windy day!!) I can thank Lalo for the scars, can't bitch if it's a freebie boat ride :P
Akumal/Yal-ku never get boring... if it's not to windy, head for the big rock at the mouth of the lagoon and you'll see some of the local turtles,
the coral is really gnarly there so watch out!

Micajah · 01-29-2004

Okay perfect tips guys, you each earned and free drink of your choice. James just let me know when your in la Rana next.

**sctx** · 01-30-2004

Quote:

Originally posted by "Micajah"

Okay perfect tips guys, you each earned and free drink of your choice.

Centenario, por favor 8)

divepuertomorelos · 02-03-2004

16 pesos on the Riviera bus gets you to Puerto Morelos turnoff, then 15 pesos gets you anywhere in the village. You can bring your inflatable (no motor) , or swim out, reef is 300m offshore- National Park rules hold - you will need a National Park wrist band (purchase from a dive shop $2) and you must wear a life jacket, no knives, no gloves, no touching, no feeding, no free diving! If swimming you must carry a life buoy or dive buoy as well. So many rules I know but this is why our reef is teeming with life and growing! All that said you will be better off with a guide which means seat on a little boat $us22 each incl band some of the operators discount, beware sometimes less money less service. They are not allowed to let you wander off on your own. The tour consists of 2 spots on the reef , should be 40 mins at each, one more shallow than the other. In good weather we take our clients to one spot with a 30 ft wall with a divers swimthrough, coral and fishlife abound. There is a co-op operation that runs from the public pier in the town square, or other private operators who will rarely take less than 2 snorkellers. From the shore there are a couple of coral heads in front of Hotel Ojo de Agua and also an OJO (freshwater outlet) not that easy to find but it's there. cat

Micajah · 04-19-2004

I found some more data on those X streets do you recall which is the best James I am gonna head there this week

When driving south from Playa del Carmen, you will pass the Mayan arch entrance of the Xpu Ha Palace all inclusive hotel (see the rant below).

X-1 is a private road leading to a super luxury private villa. Don't try to do down there to park.

X-1.5 leads down to a new hotel and restaurant. Al Cielo Hotel has 4 romantic and stylish rooms. Think net draped beds with sunrise and sunset views. The beachfront palapas are draped in gauzy fabric which provides some shade (and helps you imagine you are at the Delano Hotel in Miami Beach).

Al Cielo Restaurant is open to the beach. Much more posh than the usual Riviera Maya restaurant, Al Cielo has a certain flair which we haven't ever seen around here. Mussels are flown in fresh on the weekends, the seafood is fresh, and the paella is well worth the wait. Plan to spend the evening here and fully enjoy yourself.

(I shouldn't tell you this because I might be having a romantic dinner at Al Cielo, but the restaurant also has an excellent children's menu. The portions are large, but you won't mind finishing Junior's lunch because it will be excellently prepared. )

X-3 is closed because they are building a new hotel. Construction has been stopped for over a year so it does not interfere with the beach. The small hotel and restaurant that used to be there have been torn down. The former managers of that hotel now run the Villas del Caribe Xpu Ha at X-4.

X-4's small orange hotel, Villas del Caribe Xpu Ha is a great place to stay and relax on the beach. info@xpuhahotel.com 044 984 87 699 45. The hotel rooms are affordable and all of them have ocean views. There is also a massage therapist who takes appointments through the hotel office.

Don't be fooled by the plastic tables, Cafe del Mar Restaurant and Bar is well known for excellent vegetarian and seafood dishes. Try the green gazpacho and the ceviche. Also the salad is wonderful and inventive. Cafe del Mar was rated a top 10 Restaurant in Mexico by Andrew Harper's famous Hideaway Report.

An ideal plan: come sun on the Villas del Caribe lounge chairs while you drink ice cold Coronas and Margaritas. Then have lunch at Cafe del Mar. Then go snorkeling and take a nap in the shade. Finally, finish with an early dinner at Cafe del Mar and watch the sun set from there. The menu and quality will surprise you. (They also serve tasty breakfasts with fresh juice.)

X-5 is home to the Copacabana Hotel. This brand new all inclusive has a pretty pool, kids playground, and baby-sitting services.

X-7 has a RV park and campground, as well as a beach bar and restaurant. It has two little beach front restaurant/bars that serve the catch of the day. The restaurant with the plastic tables closer to the water is better. There is good snorkeling here, but watch out for the fishing and dive boats that harbor here - you don't want to get run over while you're watching the fish.

Club Maeva Tulum (formerly Robinson Club Tulum) has a dive shop, but is really in Xpu Ha, not Tulum. It is an all inclusive catering to Germans. El Dorado is next down the road, another all inclusive.

Micajah · 04-19-2004

RANT
Please don't stay at an all inclusive! Most of them are huge hotel chains sucking the money back to their home offices with no regard for the environment. Case in point. There used to be a lovely lagoon and cenote open for everyone at Xpu Ha beach. Manatees swam there and turtles laid eggs on the beach. The Palace chain of all inclusive hotels bought it to develop into an eco-park. Maybe this was a plot to get the rights to build there, because after less than a year the "eco" park was ripped up and turned into a massive all inclusive hotel.

You can save money by staying at a normal hotel and going out to eat. Mexico is not expensive or dangerous, so why waste money on an all inclusive hotel? Be adventurous and SEE MEXICO not just the guarded compound of an all inclusive hotel.

**james** · 04-19-2004

Back to your topic, I'd have the colectivo drop me at the sign that says "La Playa" beach club, a popular term these days. It's a restaurant, mostly. I go there instead of Cafe del Mar because it's quite a bit cheaper. It's just about 100m south.

We saw turtles and rays in front last time. You can also kitesurf there.

**sctx** · 04-19-2004

Another hot spot for you Micajah.. it will take a buddy w/ a jeep though...... do some research on the bay just south of Yuyum point which is just south of the Boca Paila bridge in Sian Kaan.... quite a drive but quite an experience also.... I wouldn't do it alone cause of the isolation factor of the area... we'll be headin down to Casa Cenote/Tankah on Sunday May 16th if you want to catch a ride and check out Tankah Bay... can't promise when you'll make it back that nite though, might get caught up partying for a while!

**james** · 04-19-2004

scott, get down there and start working on siankaan.info/.com (been sitting on those

)

I need content!

Phil Gib · 04-19-2004

I am used to receive friends and make them visit best places.

I always have their last day to be at Oscar y Lalo's restaurant and they have always thanked me for this.

You can swim / walk / rent a kayak on an amazing distance from the beach, then snorkel just anywhere.

Not only a great snorkeling, but also superb food, beautiful / authentic spot, very friendly waiters...

Just take a collectivo from Playa, then ask for Oscar y Lalo direction South.
Note : It is still a long walk from the highway to the beach.

I would just hitch-hike from the highway as many cars are going to the restaurant from 11h00 am onwards.

Best regards

Phil

**sctx** · 04-19-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by james

scott, get down there and start working on siankaan.info/.com (been sitting on those

)
I need content!

Yeah, I noticed Tulum.info is going nowhere fast also... all I need are plane tix bro !!! Might just pack up and move down there, if Dan Rather tells me one more time that our economy is failing I'm gonna lose it and possibly do something I shouldn't... and Playa sure beats Central Prison in Huntsville as a place of residence !!!
We can discuss this further in May over a couple of Shiner Bocks and Chinaco if you'd like

**james** · 04-19-2004

tulum.info was only turned on so I could test the new forum script. We don't currently have the resources to feed it, but believe me, we're working on it. Tulum is very hot for us in many ways.

what was the topic again???

**sctx** · 04-19-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by james

what was the topic again???

uhhhhhhh.......Shiner Bock and Chinaco are about the only topics I'm concerned with right now!!!

01-29-2004	#1 (permalink)
Micajah way into it Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Playa Del Carmen Posts: 166	Expert Snorkeling, Secret Tips, Bus Rides Hello Snorkelers and Divers Okay I live here, have read EVERY post on snorkeling and diving on this board, and mananged to find some cool snorkeling places, but i want MORE! ..hahaah I am an EXPERT Snorkeler, this means I can swim for hours on end, I don't get tired, I can take on large waves, channles, hover inches over the coral or scoot over it and inbetween waves, etc. etc. I also have a blow up boat , or can swim out to reefs. I have a snorkel buddy for safety. So far I have snorkeled all the local Playa spots I can get to: The reef infront of Coco beach - a lot of fish, murky water, sharks, boats, jet-ski's, waves, not for kids on the outisde but inside is ok. The Gardens Reef - Boat tours will charge you $30 to get there, you can catch a bus for 30 cents at 15th and 8th infront of the Gov building, its the 30/30 bus, ride it all the way out for about 10 mins, it will eventually turn right and go down towards the beach way out there. You want to get off when the road gets to a T on a dirt road, there is a small corner store on your right, bushes ahead, and the Bus goes LEFT. Here you will see a wide dirt access road going to the beach, 30 feet left of the T. ... Walk down this road and you will hit a beach with a Trailer on the right, and a bunch of abandoned boats lying around. You may see some locals here, and the guy in the trailer is a fisherman with yappy dogs. Dead ahead out about 150 - 200m is El Jardien Reef, or The Gardens. The Water is very clear, about 20 feet deep, lots of corals (brain and fans), some fish but not very many. When I was there, 4 boats unleashed a school of Yellow Preserver Snorkel Newbies. So if you are a decent swimmer, you can swim there and back no problem. So now I need MORE places to go. I don't have a car so I like to use the Cheap $3 bus rides to get places. I only want the best, which to me means lots of fish, and not yet ruined by hoardes of people. So far it seems like Yal-ku lagoon to Half moon bay are the best options. So they are on my list, anyone know how to BUS to them? Or maybe a Bus/Cab/Walk combo? #2 - JAMES and other divers here (James do I have to buy you another JD and coke for this answer ) Where are the best snorkel spots that could be bussed/cabbed to like my post above, where you can swim out to the Reef or I can use my blow up boat to get to? Maybe another shallow dive reef? Some reef I am missing? Cozumel I may get to, but its a $15 Ferry Ride + more cabs. I am looking for snorkel trips for under say $6 a way ($4 bus ride + $2 cab ride) Thanks and I am sure there are other expert snorkelers who would love this info.

01-29-2004	#2 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Sweden Posts: 10,432	grab a collectivo on 2nd Street heading south. Tell the driver you want to get off at XpuHa. There's now a huge sign "La Playa" there (I don't remember the entrance number... X-2, X-3, X-4...). Walk in (the beach is conveniently close, it's a short walk) and snorkel. Elias runs the diveshop there (formerly Aquanauts) and is a really nice and honest guy. Swim out. It's nice. To declare coco beach murky is not accurate. It can be very clear also. Depends. __________________ Get your own signature countdown image!

01-29-2004	#4 (permalink)
Micajah way into it Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Playa Del Carmen Posts: 166	Free Drinks Okay perfect tips guys, you each earned and free drink of your choice. James just let me know when your in la Rana next.

02-03-2004	#6 (permalink)
divepuertomorelos into ruins Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: puerto morelos, mexico Posts: 71	snorkel spots 16 pesos on the Riviera bus gets you to Puerto Morelos turnoff, then 15 pesos gets you anywhere in the village. You can bring your inflatable (no motor) , or swim out, reef is 300m offshore- National Park rules hold - you will need a National Park wrist band (purchase from a dive shop $2) and you must wear a life jacket, no knives, no gloves, no touching, no feeding, no free diving! If swimming you must carry a life buoy or dive buoy as well. So many rules I know but this is why our reef is teeming with life and growing! All that said you will be better off with a guide which means seat on a little boat $us22 each incl band some of the operators discount, beware sometimes less money less service. They are not allowed to let you wander off on your own. The tour consists of 2 spots on the reef , should be 40 mins at each, one more shallow than the other. In good weather we take our clients to one spot with a 30 ft wall with a divers swimthrough, coral and fishlife abound. There is a co-op operation that runs from the public pier in the town square, or other private operators who will rarely take less than 2 snorkellers. From the shore there are a couple of coral heads in front of Hotel Ojo de Agua and also an OJO (freshwater outlet) not that easy to find but it's there. cat

04-19-2004	#9 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Sweden Posts: 10,432	Back to your topic, I'd have the colectivo drop me at the sign that says "La Playa" beach club, a popular term these days. It's a restaurant, mostly. I go there instead of Cafe del Mar because it's quite a bit cheaper. It's just about 100m south. We saw turtles and rays in front last time. You can also kitesurf there. __________________ Get your own signature countdown image!

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01-29-2004	#3 (permalink)
sctx HMWHTC President Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Body in San Marcos Tx....Tankah in my mind Posts: 31,108	There is a pretty cool area in Tankah about 200 meters South of Casa Cenote and about 200-300 meters from shore, look for a small "dock" floating in the water and head past it towards the reef... it's kinda a maze of sand and coral tunnels, lots of stingrays to chase ( the rest of the bay is cool also, as well as the cave directly in front of CC). The next bay North (tankah 3????) is pretty sweet also once you get out to the reef, actually saw a lobster there a couple of years ago, right before the breakers slammed me into the reef...(Lalo dropped us and his daughter off on the ocean side of the reef on a windy day!!) I can thank Lalo for the scars, can't bitch if it's a freebie boat ride :P Akumal/Yal-ku never get boring... if it's not to windy, head for the big rock at the mouth of the lagoon and you'll see some of the local turtles, the coral is really gnarly there so watch out!

04-19-2004	#7 (permalink)
Micajah way into it Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Playa Del Carmen Posts: 166	I found some more data on those X streets do you recall which is the best James I am gonna head there this week When driving south from Playa del Carmen, you will pass the Mayan arch entrance of the Xpu Ha Palace all inclusive hotel (see the rant below). X-1 is a private road leading to a super luxury private villa. Don't try to do down there to park. X-1.5 leads down to a new hotel and restaurant. Al Cielo Hotel has 4 romantic and stylish rooms. Think net draped beds with sunrise and sunset views. The beachfront palapas are draped in gauzy fabric which provides some shade (and helps you imagine you are at the Delano Hotel in Miami Beach). Al Cielo Restaurant is open to the beach. Much more posh than the usual Riviera Maya restaurant, Al Cielo has a certain flair which we haven't ever seen around here. Mussels are flown in fresh on the weekends, the seafood is fresh, and the paella is well worth the wait. Plan to spend the evening here and fully enjoy yourself. (I shouldn't tell you this because I might be having a romantic dinner at Al Cielo, but the restaurant also has an excellent children's menu. The portions are large, but you won't mind finishing Junior's lunch because it will be excellently prepared. ) X-3 is closed because they are building a new hotel. Construction has been stopped for over a year so it does not interfere with the beach. The small hotel and restaurant that used to be there have been torn down. The former managers of that hotel now run the Villas del Caribe Xpu Ha at X-4. X-4's small orange hotel, Villas del Caribe Xpu Ha is a great place to stay and relax on the beach. info@xpuhahotel.com 044 984 87 699 45. The hotel rooms are affordable and all of them have ocean views. There is also a massage therapist who takes appointments through the hotel office. Don't be fooled by the plastic tables, Cafe del Mar Restaurant and Bar is well known for excellent vegetarian and seafood dishes. Try the green gazpacho and the ceviche. Also the salad is wonderful and inventive. Cafe del Mar was rated a top 10 Restaurant in Mexico by Andrew Harper's famous Hideaway Report. An ideal plan: come sun on the Villas del Caribe lounge chairs while you drink ice cold Coronas and Margaritas. Then have lunch at Cafe del Mar. Then go snorkeling and take a nap in the shade. Finally, finish with an early dinner at Cafe del Mar and watch the sun set from there. The menu and quality will surprise you. (They also serve tasty breakfasts with fresh juice.) X-5 is home to the Copacabana Hotel. This brand new all inclusive has a pretty pool, kids playground, and baby-sitting services. X-7 has a RV park and campground, as well as a beach bar and restaurant. It has two little beach front restaurant/bars that serve the catch of the day. The restaurant with the plastic tables closer to the water is better. There is good snorkeling here, but watch out for the fishing and dive boats that harbor here - you don't want to get run over while you're watching the fish. Club Maeva Tulum (formerly Robinson Club Tulum) has a dive shop, but is really in Xpu Ha, not Tulum. It is an all inclusive catering to Germans. El Dorado is next down the road, another all inclusive.

04-19-2004	#8 (permalink)
Micajah way into it Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Playa Del Carmen Posts: 166	RANT Please don't stay at an all inclusive! Most of them are huge hotel chains sucking the money back to their home offices with no regard for the environment. Case in point. There used to be a lovely lagoon and cenote open for everyone at Xpu Ha beach. Manatees swam there and turtles laid eggs on the beach. The Palace chain of all inclusive hotels bought it to develop into an eco-park. Maybe this was a plot to get the rights to build there, because after less than a year the "eco" park was ripped up and turned into a massive all inclusive hotel. You can save money by staying at a normal hotel and going out to eat. Mexico is not expensive or dangerous, so why waste money on an all inclusive hotel? Be adventurous and SEE MEXICO not just the guarded compound of an all inclusive hotel.

04-19-2004	#10 (permalink)
sctx HMWHTC President Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Body in San Marcos Tx....Tankah in my mind Posts: 31,108	Another hot spot for you Micajah.. it will take a buddy w/ a jeep though...... do some research on the bay just south of Yuyum point which is just south of the Boca Paila bridge in Sian Kaan.... quite a drive but quite an experience also.... I wouldn't do it alone cause of the isolation factor of the area... we'll be headin down to Casa Cenote/Tankah on Sunday May 16th if you want to catch a ride and check out Tankah Bay... can't promise when you'll make it back that nite though, might get caught up partying for a while!

04-19-2004	#11 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Sweden Posts: 10,432	scott, get down there and start working on siankaan.info/.com (been sitting on those ) I need content! __________________ Get your own signature countdown image!

04-19-2004	#12 (permalink)
Phil Gib into ruins Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 67	Last day I am used to receive friends and make them visit best places. I always have their last day to be at Oscar y Lalo's restaurant and they have always thanked me for this. You can swim / walk / rent a kayak on an amazing distance from the beach, then snorkel just anywhere. Not only a great snorkeling, but also superb food, beautiful / authentic spot, very friendly waiters... Just take a collectivo from Playa, then ask for Oscar y Lalo direction South. Note : It is still a long walk from the highway to the beach. I would just hitch-hike from the highway as many cars are going to the restaurant from 11h00 am onwards. Best regards Phil

04-19-2004	#14 (permalink)
james beach geek admin Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: 10 year Playa resident lost in Sweden Posts: 10,432	tulum.info was only turned on so I could test the new forum script. We don't currently have the resources to feed it, but believe me, we're working on it. Tulum is very hot for us in many ways. what was the topic again??? __________________ Get your own signature countdown image!