Cozumel: Snorkeler's Paradise

Maria F.
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
6
Reviews
3
Photos

Cozumel Day Trip and Snorkeling

  • March 15, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by samer_k from plano, Texas
We wanted to do this but really didn't formally plan it. You really don't need to. We just went to the nearby port at Playa del Carmen. There we saw plenty of tour operators.

They pretty much offered us a group-guided snorkeling tour with equipment and drinks on-board: a total of 3 hours for about $25 a person.

We took the ferry to Cozumel, which was about a 40-minute ride. We met our operator on the other side and hopped on the boat.

It was a group of about 10 to 12 people, so it wasn't bad at all. Take a waterproof camera, and you will have some wonderful photos...

From journal Playa del Carmen: Beach, Good Food, and More!

Snorkeling in Cozumel

  • January 14, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by quirine from Brooklyn, New York
Snorkeling in Cozumel

Getting there:
At the ferry dock in Playa Del Carmen, there are a few vendors/ferries that go over to Cozumel. They're all pretty much the same, so go with whichever is leaving next.

The ferry can make you a bit seasick, depending on the waves and wind, but there are snacks and drinks on most ferries, and I found that going outside helped a lot! The ferries are pretty upscale, with cloth seats and televisions.

Once in Cozumel, you'll right away notice how commercial it is. There are tons of shops, hotels, and restaurants. In this regard, I much prefer Playa Del Carmen. If you're interested in snorkeling, hail a cab right off the dock. Ask to be taken to Dzul Ha Beach Club, a bit north of the famous Chankannab Park and much less crowded. We were the only ones snorkeling there that day, and it was high season. Dzul Ha had lockers and a bar where you could buy sodas and ice pops. Afterwards, we jumped into a shallow pool to wash off the salt and get dressed by the rental locker they rented us for the day. You can jump right into the water off the stone steps, and within a few yards, you feel as though you're in a HUGE aquarium.

Every place is different, and I don't know much about renting, but if you're worried about it, rent from a dive shop in Playa Del Carmen before getting there.

In the water, you'll see barracudas, those cute little captain fish, sea urchins, gorgeous angelfish, colorful and docile parrotfish, all kinds of coral, lobsters, etc. The current pushes you south, so make sure you're aware of your surroundings every so often. Start off snorkeling up the coast so that when you're tired, you can float back to where you started. The fish hang in the water, slowing swimming against the current. This is a great opportunity to take photos underwater. Unlike the estuaries and lagoons, the water is quite clear here, and you'll see a lot more critters and fish since you're essentially in the ocean. When you're done for the day, ask someone at the beach club, and they'll call a cab for you.

This is possibly the best snorkeling I've ever experienced, and I would highly recommend making the trip out here.

From journal Mayan Riviera: Things to do!

Snorkeling Mayan Riviera

  • August 2, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by randomtraveller from Cannonsburg, Michigan

From journal Active Mayan Riviera

Snorkeling

  • January 25, 2004
  • Rated 4 of 5 by sneakaround from Staten Island, New York
A spectacular trip which included a guided snorkeling trip during which I saw many types of sea life including reef fish, sea turtles, lobsters, and juvenile starfish. The staff was very courteous and the trip also included beer, soda, and snacks.

From journal Week in Playa Del Carmen

Editor Pick

Cozumel: Snorkeler's Paradise

  • February 28, 2002
  • Rated 1 of 5 by Postcard from Bethpage, New York
This was the only 'bad' experience we had. Against my better judgement I booked the tour from the hotel, thinking it would be a better experience for my children, who had never been snorkeling before. The cost of our transportation to the pier where we took a ferry(included)to Cozumel was not included. A tour operator met us at a predetermined location, gave us our bracelets identifying us as paid in full customers. The ferry ride over was fairly quick (about 30 mins) but we did have to wait for it at the dock. We were then transferred to another boat with a large number of people, not quite as intimate as we had hoped, which took us to our snorkeling location. We have snorkeled in many locations and this was certainly far from the best. The reef was very deep and difficult to view at this location. The number of fish were limited, however there were some unusual plants. The current was pretty strong, making the experience a bit difficult for all, especially my younger daughter who bailed out and was taken back to the boat by way of a skiff provided for tired swimmers. We were supposed to be taken to two locations but were told the conditions were not good for the second location. We were then taken to a beach club(probably popular with the cruise ship passengers) but no big deal for us. There was a pool and some rafts that were fun. This was where we were given a disgusting lunch. After about an hour, we went back on the boat and cruised to the main city on the island where we could shop for as long as we wished since we were given vouchers for the return trip on the ferry. All in all, it was a very disappointing trip and we felt very ripped off. You would probably do better to take the ferry over on your own and either get a tour from the operators located right at the ferry dock or to go to the state part(Chankanaab Park) where you can snorkel right from the beach, meaning shallow reef and we heard great things. The map from laura at cancunmap.com would be very helpful. Heed her advice and avoid visiting the island on the days cruise ships are in(the prices are all 'jacked' up in town on these days and I heard the streets and shops are mobbed).

From journal The Many Faces of the Mexican Riviera

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