I'll be staying in Playa del Carmen next spring and want to spend a day snorkeling. What spots can you recommend from puerto morelos to tulum including cozumel?

Thanks

No one? Really?

Thanks again

Can only speak for Cozumel, but then it has the best to offer.

http://www.cozumelmycozumel.com/Page...gfromShore.htm

Really surprised no one has answered this. PDC is not a good area, just sand. I've heard it can be good in Soloman Bay near Tulum, but by far the best would be Cozumel.

thanks TC and Ally. I thought I had done my research but I never came across that website- very helpful

On the "mainland" (not Cozumel) we liked Akumal Bay the best. Preferred it to nearby Half Moon and Yal-ku. Good place to see turtles.

In Playa just take a left at the water and walk up the beach about a mile and the reef comes in close. (You walk past Las Palapas and Shangri-La.) This may not be the best snorkeling in the Mayan Riviera, but easy to get to when staying in Playa.

I have spent alot of time in Cozumel and alot of time snorkeling. Spent some time in Playa as well. Although I paid to snorkel at Xel-ha which is a large marine park south of Playa; I had a great time! It is super easy to take the ferry across to Cozumel for a day of snorkeling. Takes about .5 hours to cross and the ferry's run every hour. On Cozumel there are a couple of great spots but my personal favorite is at the hotel called Coral Princess. You get into a cab with all your gear and have them take you to the Coral Princess. Walk right through the lobby, toting all your gear, and plant yourself on their manmade beach. They don't mind at all if you use their chairs if you buy drinks and food from them. This is an awesome spot to snorkel. Secret Go in the morning though!!

"They don't mind at all if you use their chairs if you buy drinks and food from them"

Northwoodsgirl: You are right...the Coral Princess is an amazing place to snorkel. But you're wrong about one thing -- those of us who own a condo there, do mind if you use our lounge chairs. There are too few chairs to go around for the owners and its quite irritating to have outsiders plunk their gear down, dive into the reef and stay all day. Some never return to the chairs they've staked out, just use them as a drying rack while swimming or sitting at the bar.

Don't get me wrong, the reef is fair game to anyone -- all are welcome. Just bring your blanket or beach towel to spread in the sand. Thanks.