Snorkeling at El Garrafon National Park

Isla Mujeres is a picturesque beautiful Caribbean retreat just off the coast from Cancun, only a 30 minute ferry ride. In spite of being only 4.5 miles from lively and glamorous Cacun, your visit to this small island will be a very different experience. You will feel relaxed and charmed by the beauty of this tropical paradise. El Garrafón National Park is located at the south end of Isla Mujeres. Surrounded by clear turquoise waters, this place will astonish you the moment you get there. Natural coral reef, cliffs and incredible views come together in one place for nature lovers. This park gives you access to it all: beaches, shops, Punta Sur (the most eastern point in Mexico), an ancient Mayan temple and a great buffet with alcoholic and soft drinks and snacks included, no matter which tour option you choose. It’s the perfect destination for both relaxation and adventure!

You can chill out and get a panoramic sight of Cancun Bay from a 100 ft swimming pool filled with fresh water while enjoying a drink. Perhaps you prefer relaxing on handmade hammocks (lounge chairs) surrounded by different varieties of lush plants, swaying softly and looking out across the tranquil natural reef. If you don’t fall asleep, after that you could walk by the ocean and get to Punta Sur the highest point in the Yucatan Peninsula and have an awe-inspiring sight of the cliffs and the seemingly endless sea. Right by the ocean, you can visit the restored ancient Mayan temple of Ixchel goddess.

The sea can be choppy some times. So before booking a trip to the park you should check the weather and wind conditions some days in advance if you want to fully enjoy the water activities available in this park. If allowed by the ocean conditions, you could take a single or two-passenger kayak and ride the calm tide.

If you really want to be close to nature you can look at the colorful sea life in an underwater universe. Snorkeling is one of the favorite activities of tourists visiting the park, featuring part of the Great Mayan Reef. You’ll be provided a life jacket and snorkel gear, get the basics taught by experience guides and you’ll and be ready for a snorkeling tour in one of the most amazing corners of the reef. Lots of snorkel mad people also visit El Garrafon National Park and do this on their own. As the result of too many hurricanes, boat anchor and careless people, much of the coral reef in this national marine park was dead for a long time. Thanks to the Garrafon Reef Restoration Program, the marine life in the area is rapidly recovering. You’ll see barracuda, parrot-fish, stingray and lots of other brightly colored species and coral at a very close distance, never exceeding a depth of 15 feet.

If that’s not enough for a snorkel mad, you could try the Dolphin Swim adventure for a real encounter with these cuties. Have you ever before snorkeled WITH a dolphin? These animals are very friendly to human beings and are trained to make this experience as exciting as it could possibly become. Seeing myriads of tropical fish make this eco-park become a snorkeler’s paradise.

Although the entrance price to the park drops from $50 to $30 in the afternoon, it’s better to go early, when it’s not crowded. Tours to the park from Cancun range from $70 to $160 and are really worth that money! The cheapest price includes all the traditional activities included in the park admission ticket. The price rises if you want to try the Swim Adventure, the Dolphin Royal or Dolphin Encounter. Upgrading your tour and getting the chance to snorkel side by side and getting kissed by one of these loving animals is a must. If you have children under 12 years old, they must be accompanied by an adult at all times. If you have children between 1 and 5 years old, guess what? They don’t pay at all!

If you’re getting there from Isla Mujeres, getting there’s no big deal. You can take a bus and get off at Playa Paraíso for only US$0,30 and walk your way to the park or just take a taxi. Tours from Cancun include round trip ferry transportation. Add to the tour price you book US$5 of dock fee (although chlidren 1 to 3 years old are exempted from this fee).

The park is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Remember it’s better if you go there early! It is open 24/7 except from Saturdays in the months of December, January, June and July.

El Garrafon National Park is a not-to-be-missed tour. Paradise on Earth is something you’ve got to experience.

By Daniela Tkach