I know there is a ferry at PDC to Cozumel Island where we can then sign up for reef snorkeling excursions through various dive companies, but are there dive boats that leave from the Riviera Maya coastline that will take us DIRECTLY out to the Cozumel reefs and back? In other words, if we stay at a resort further south of PDC, perhaps closer to Akumal, are there dive boats near by to take us to the Cozumel reefs for a fun day of snorkeling? If so, which would be more economical and still fun---taking the ferry from PDC and then going to the Cozumel reefs or going directly to the Cozumel reefs on a dive boat from a resort area further south?---Maybe we would save time driving to PDC, taking the ferry and then a dive boat to various reefs. Just seems like a lot of hassel if we can avoid it and go directly to the reefs. ---Please, your input is very much appreciated! We love to snorkel and want to see a lot of the Cozumel reefs! Also, I read that there are some lagoons and reefs near Akumal so we are thinking of staying closer to Akumal than to PDC.

If you are staying at Akumal purely for the snorkeling, you will be sorely disappointed. Snorkeling at Akumal and along the Maya Riviera coast is pathetic. If you want good snorkeling, you really have to go to Cozumel. There are several places on Cozumel with good shore-access snorkeling, though if you want to go to some of the further-out reefs (like Palancar and Columbia Gardens), you will have to go on a boat. However, many of the Cozumel off-shore reefs are a bit deep to be appreciated by snorkeling, so shore snorkeling may be more rewarding. Most of the Cozumel "snorkel-cruises" are over-priced cattle-boat productions which rush herds of cruise-ship passengers through perfunctory guided swims at reefs which can be accessed for free offshore. And as at all dive destinations the world around, most Cozumel DIVE outfits plan their DIVE boat trips with stops at good DIVE sites, and do not even want to bother with the snorkelers.

Thank you so much for your response. I had noticed recently that some of the snorkeling places where dive boats take you are the same ones that other message boards said you could swim out to. And you have verified my intuitions of snorkeling off of Akmumal and other places along the Riviera Maya versus the major reefs of Cozumel.----So we are now even more seriously thinking of getting certified to dive. I may need a "babysitter" guide though the first time in since I've heard they don't like anyone holding up the group. Although we're faily good swimmers, it will be something new for us.----Do you or anyone else recommend a snorkeling or dive boat company on Cozumel which you have used or has a great reputation for a fun time?

I don't know which of the zillion dive operations on Cozumel are most reputable and professional, but it's important to find a good one if you want to get certified. After all, your life may depend on your instructors and how well they teach you. If you have dive shops in your area, you might want to consult them for ideas about good Cozumel operators, or even do your classroom and preliminary work in the US and just get your open-water certification in Cozumel (who wants to spend hours in a classroom while on a tropical island?)

Several of the larger hotels on Cozumel (like the Presidente Intercontinental) have affiliated dive shops which offer regular certification. Perhaps they also offer "resort courses" similar to those offered at other Caribbean resorts, which give people an introduction to diving so that they can decide if it's for them.

By all means, get certified to dive - it is a WILD experience. I believe your best bet is to take the ferry to Cozumel and then hook up with a dive operator there for either snorkeling or diving.

If you are serious about getting your dive certifcation, I would recommend using Papa Hogs, Living Underwater and Dive Paradise. All three have excellent reputations as dive operators there. They run small diving excursions - 6 to 8 people max.

Yes, We will difinitely do our classroom work here in the U.S. and then get our open-water certification in Cozumel if we decide to do it. A scuba diving shop near by offers a two hour in the water exploratory session for five dollars which I think we will sign up for as a start. --- I was considering the Presidente Inter-Continental Resort. Do you know the name of the reef that is out front of it's beach area? ---I love this Fodor's site! You are all so helpful!