Best Top 5 Places in the Mayan Riviera to Snorkel

The Riviera Maya runs along the coastline of Quintana Roo. Beginning in Puerto Morelos (20 miles south of Cancun) and including the Caribbean island of Cozumel, it extendes down to Punta Allen. Full of all-inclusive resorts and attractions like wonderful white-sand beaches, Mayan ruins and ecological parks and reserves,The Mayan Riviera is undoubtedly a tourist district. Its major attraction is the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, the second largest system in the whole world. The coral reefs are home to all sorts of fish species you've seen on TV documentaries and books and more. So why not spend some hours, maybe days, exploring firsthand the wonders of the ocean? Swimming on or through a body of water using only a snorkel in order to breath, a diving mask and usually swim fins is called snorkeling. Beyond the typical definition, snorkeling is about observing underwater life in its natural and original setting. The Caribbean warm sparkling blue waters and the sensation of floating in space while visiting the cenotes and sub-aquatic caves make snorkeling in the Riviera Maya an experience you don’t want to miss! After you've tried snorkeling in Cancun try these...

TOP 5 PLACES TO SNORKEL IN THE MAYAN RIVIERA ARE:

Enjoy the ‘down under’ beauties of COZUMEL! A stunning view of the ocean starts at only 20 feet deep. Add to that 250 feet visibility, plus 80 Farenheith and more than 500 different vibrantly colored fish and corals! Surely the best place to snorkel around Mexico and, I’d say, the globe! You’ll see multicolor tropical fish, coral in every size and shape, manta rays, moray eels, spotted eagle rays and other marine creatures swimming around you. I’m not asking you to believe in my word. The famous oceanographer Jacques Cousteau praised Palancar Reef in Cozumel and brought it to attention to the world as an amazing destination for aquatic activities such as diving and snorkeling. There are three shallow reefs in Cozumel’s Marine Park. Tours will usually take you to all of them and take you there in glass-bottomed boats so the joy starts from the very beginning!

AKUMAL is where the sea turtles are! Its calm waters are an excellent choice for beginners. Giant green turtles can be seen with only a short swim. Anytime one of these creatures show up, crowds of snorkelers start gathering for the show. If you also enjoy diving, the views of the ocean floor are beyond amazing. Something else you just have to do when visiting Akumal is looking for tours that offer you the chance to snorkel cenotes and caves. That’s fresh water, thus colder. The good thing is you’ll get to see different fish species!

XEL HA PARK is a natural aquarium, one beyond amazing. You’ll enjoy it at its fullest if you go early in the morning, before all the buses packed with tourists arrive from Cancun. Angelfish, surgeons, blonde, damsels, parrot-fish, snappers, groupers, sergeant, a family of rays, puffer fish, barracuda and queen conch are only some of the marine creatures you will encounter face to (hmmm... do fish and invertebrates have faces?) face! They’re all protected species living in their natural habitat. This is the place for the undecided. Can’t decide between snorkeling and diving? Xel Ha Park offers you Snuba, a combination of snorkeling and diving. Somewhere in this park, the river and the ocean become one. At Xel Ha Inlet, fresh water mixes with warm sea water. The Mayan Cave, a covered cenote is a magical place that will provide you peace of mind and soul. The sunlight reflects off the crystal clear water and the cave is illuminated in a spectacular way.

Not as popular as Cozumel, PLAYA DEL CARMEN or just Playa as the locals call it, is quite a wonder in its own way! Snorkeling is a very popular activity here, as it is in almost everywhere in the Riviera Maya. The difference is the peace of mind that not-so-packed as every other beach it will give you. Playa offers snorkelers hidden caves that will make you feel no one’s ever been there before.

Caleta TANKAH is a beautiful inlet south of the Mayan Riviera. Its sparkling white beaches are ranked among the top 10 most wonderful beaches in that part of Mexico. Not only sand is beautiful, turquoise waters make this place a great location for snorkeling. From the beach you can see the ruins of Tulum, 4 km down south, which are worth visiting when you’re done with taking snapshots of all the fish you’ll encounter here!

Don’t worry about not having proper equipment for snorkeling. You can rent it anywhere in the Riviera Maya! If you go on tours, it’ll surely be included in the price and guides will teach you everything you need to know. Have in mind that all beaches along the Mayan Riviera are environmentally friendly. In order to protect the wonderful marine life around you, make sure you wear only biodegradable sunscreen or tanning lotions and not oily substances containing chemicals. Make sure you have a mask and fins that fit you properly and get ready for an unforgettable snorkeling adventure!

By Daniela Tkach