Craig

We are staying at the Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach in Cancun and we are wondering if there is are any snorkeling excursions that leave close to our hotel? Or do have to go Cozumel to access snorkeling trips? If any do leave from or near our hotel, are they worth going on and where do they go? <BR><BR>Thanks!<BR>Craig/Dede

tina

Craig, the beach of your hotel is sheltered by a large coral reef so you could go snorkeling right there. Your resort's marina has a dive shop so you could arrange with them to take you to other dive spots. We drove to Playa del Carmen and took the ferry to Cozumel and my husband scuba dived there. He said it was definitely worth it.

Craig

They must not have a boat that leaves from the resort to take you to Cozumel and snorkel? Do you have to get Cozumel on your own to snorkel; or is there trips that leave directly from the hotel zone area?<BR>Thanks!<BR>Craig

Patty

Craig,<BR>There are several tour operators that take you to the local reefs to snorkel (I haven't done these so can't comment on quality). While we were there, we chartered a boat to take us snorkeling around Isla Mujeres - the snorkeling was pretty good there although the water was a bit rough in spots. Many boat operators that offer day trips to Isla Mujeres also include snorkeling. I don't know of any boats that leave directly from Cancun to Cozumel - that would be a loooong ride! Best way to get to Cozumel is to drive down to Playa Del Carmen and take the ferry over (but this involves about 1.5 to 2 hours each way in travel time).

Nancy

If you are big into snorkeling, you MUST take the ferry over to Cozumel from PDC as Patty suggests. Go as early in the morning as you can stand, and take a taxi up to Chankanaab, which is a park. (The taxis are right by the ferry pier where you get off.)<BR>At Chankannab, you can put your things in a locker or leave them on the beach under a shade palapa with your beach chairs. (We've done this many times without incident.)<BR>There is fantastic snorkeling and shallow diving, and there are two restaurants there that serve good seafood. <BR>If you are not avid snorkelers, you will be able to find enough there in Cancun in front of your hotel on the reef to keep you entertained as Tina said.