By Emily
I’m wondering if folks have recent snorkeling experience and can compare snorkeling in Akumal and Cancun with Cozumel in Mexico?
We are planning a trip to Akumal to take a freediving class (recommended to us by one of our guides on our recent trip to Indonesia with this website’s partner). After having experienced Indonesia we are well aware this will NOT even come close to comparing but money precludes us going back anytime soon.
That said, we have two weeks vacation and will start in Akumal. Should we also snorkel in Cancun and/or Cozumel?
Thanks!
We’ve spent several weeks snorkeling the reefs around Cozumel and it has some great snorkeling if you know how to freedive. Most of the reefs are in 20-30 feet of water with some going on down 50 feet plus. It is not Indonesia, but it is much better than Cancun.
We’ve seen lots of rays (even really large spotted eagle rays), a couple small sharks (Cozumel seems to have very few sharks), eels, lots of fish, large crabs/lobsters, sea stars, corals, an octopus, and more.
You will need a guide as most of the reefs are offshore and require a boat for access – we’ve been with Cozumel H2O many times and would highly recommend. If you are feeling adventurous, join them for a night snorkel as well – it is an other worldly experience.
We snorkel often in Cozumel. It is one of our favorites and we have snorkeled extensively in Hawaii and still think Cozumel has some pluses over the Big Island.
The shore snorkeling is actually better than the outer reef. Areas near Puerto Abrigo to the start of town are fantastic wall reef. We try to stay close to that area. Typically in a condo just north of town.
We also like to snorkel all around (north and south) of Money Barand Punta Sur. We’ve snorkeled with eagle rays, turtles, tons of rays, nurse sharks, beautiful fish, soft corals, cuttlefish, etc.
The people there are amazing and we almost consider Cozumel our second home. Cancun and much of the mainland is super rough and the snorkeling is not great.