Bitter

In May 08 I snorkeled as part of the glass bottom boats from the Cozumel pier. The reefs were not great and were pretty deep, compared to those experienced on the Fat Cat cruise (near the mainland). I was told the reefs were damaged by the hurricane. Are they better now? Or are there perhaps better areas to snorkel near Cozumel? (Someone recommended Playa Azul for example). Thanks!

TC

Bitter, It really just depends on where you go. The shallow reefs were pretty much wiped out by hurricane Wilma, but that was several years ago. They are making a steady comeback. I don't know where you would have been snorkeling from your description. Close to any pier would never be good. On the north end of the island -- between say the Coral Princess resort and Playa Azul there is a coral covered wall. It has made a wonderful comeback and the coral and fish are spectacular. Are you planning to stay on the island?

Bitter

Thanks, Tc for your info. We are staying in PDC. Last year we ferried over and took a glass bottom boat/snorkel tour. It went directly south from the big pier. The water we were in was between 20 and 40ish feet. I think we had 3 stops and there just wasn't a lot to see and/or it was too deep.

TC

Yes...unfortunately that location is never good. All the cruise ships use it for their tours so a gazzilion people literally walk on the coral there. Its just been destroyed. There are much better locations on the island, but hard to access if you're not staying on the island as you would always need to book some sort of boat tour. They all pretty much go to the same places.

Here is a link to a lady who does more personalized snorkeling tours. If you are interested in something a bit more special, you might try setting this up.

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

There is also fair snorkeling from a couple of the beach clubs. Try Dzul Ha, Playa Corona or Uva beach clubs. The other big beach clubs, San Francisco, Paradisce, Mr. Sancho's aren't good for snorkeling -- too much sand.

SoloNoMo

Bitter, if you're in PdC, take the bus or a cab down to Akumal and spend the day snorkeling the bay. No need to take a tour -- just strap on your fins and wade in. You will have no problem finding turtles and rays and all kinds of fish. It's a short walk from the highway and you can set up on the beach at the Lol Ha and order drinks, lunch and drinks.

turnip2

We will be going on a cruise stopping off at Cozumel in Mid April.

I have seen messages from a few years back indicating that reefs were damaged by storms and hurricanes in past years causing few or no fish, resulting in disappointing snorkel trips/

Does anyone have an update that is more recent than 2009?
How about Carnival snorkeling tour - did anyone participate recently, how was it?

emd3

We snorkeled off Garrafon Park area on Cozumel in 2010 on our own (we went off on our own w/a rantal car and our own snorkel gear from the cruise ship). In early 2012 we bought a condo in PDC and have since gone out snorkeling in Akumal four times. And I went snorkeling again off of the coast by Garrafon in Cozumel 3 months ago.

Akumal is much better snorkelng IMO. Snorkel right off the beach w/sea turtles there and also a good reef close to shore w/good variety and amt. of fish to see.

The area by Garrafon in Cozumel (which I had snorkeled in the mid-1970s and 1980s, when it was REALLY good snorkeling) has not really recovered much IMO from Hurricaine Wilma and that obliteration. It takes a long long time for the ecosystem to stabilize and turn around after an assault like that.

Akumal did not get hit by Wilma like Cozumel's reefs did. Akumal is really good snorkeling, right off the beach, just walk right into the water and snorkel.

Bitter

Wow a fun blast from the past. I think I posted this before my last trip to PDC. On that trip we took a cab to Akumal. I walked right in and swam out. Swam with a couple huge sea turtles, which was exciting. I may be mistaken, but my memory was that the reef was better than cozumel (because it was closer to the surface for snorkeling), but not as good/extensive as some we visited via the Fat Cat cruise.