Hello....we are planning on a 4 night stay in Isla Mujeres and 5 nights in Akumal or Soliman Bay. We like to snorkel...we'll have a car and don't mind driving to dinner, etc. What is Soliman Bay like? Found a great villa right on the beach that sounds great. Is the snorkeling comparable to Akumal? Any suggestions would be appreciated...thanks a lot....Lori

We have visited Soliman Bay and stayed in Akumal at Half Moon Bay - I believe the snorkelling is metter in Akumal - but if you have a car it doesn't really matter where you stay. Akumal has more restaurants and bars - I think that there is only one in Soliman Bay - Oscar y Lalos.

Check out www.locogringo.com for lots of information on this area. The website is great.

Some villas in Soliman Bay come with a kayak that you can paddle out to the small reef - there is a buoy to tie-up to.

But still, the snorkling is better in Akumal.

Soliman Bay has a lot of seagrass. Best snorkeling is at Akumal. Akumal has several bays. Yal ku lagoon, which is famous for its snorkeling, Half Moon Bay, good snorkeling, Akumal Bay, the best snorkeling and a nice sandy swimming beach, Jade Bay, good snorkeling, and Akumal South, which is good snorkeling along with some sandy entries.
However, I know what you mean about the pretty villas on Soliman Bay! Love Villa Moon Star!

Thanks for your input...it's nice to find out the conditions of the beach/water from someone who has been there. I don't mind the seagrass but we are going with some friends that dont' snorkel and they might not like wading into the grass. I will check out some of the rentals in Akumal, but it looks more developed with the condos close together....I liked the look of the Soliman bay area...thanks again..Lori

There are some villas in Soliman Bay where they have cut a path through the seagrass into the sandy part of the water.

In Akumal, a lot of the beach access is VERY ROCKY. So if your friends like wading in the water, you might want to do a lot of research on the beach and water entry conditions.

You just have to be in the right area in Akumal. Akumal Bay and Akumal Sur (south both have sandy entrances. Half moon Bay and Jade Bay are rocky. Look on Locogringo.com. You can get a sky view of the different bays and the lodging s on each.