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Things to Do > Scuba & Snorkeling |
Scuba
& Snorkeling
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Cancun and surrounding
areas are home to some of
the world's most acclaimed diving
and snorkeling. The waters
surrounding Cancun are legendary
for their clarity and diversity.
Famous dive spots like Palancar,
El Bajito, Manchones and Chitales
are all nearby. There is also the
Cave of the Sleeping Sharks near
Isla Mujeres where divers can sometimes
"pet" the sharks. Nearby Cozumel
offers world-class diving.
And nearby Isla Mujeres is
one of the most scenic place in
the area for diving & snorkeling.
A popular dive site is the Manchones
Reef, which is about 5 mi/8
km northeast of Cancun —close to
Isla Mujeres. Divers and snorkelers
also may want to explore the starting
point of the Belize Barrier Reef
at Punta Nizuc, near the Club Med
at the southern end of Paseo Kukulcán.
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"Buoyed by water, he can
fly in any direction-up,
down, sideways-by merely
flipping his hand.
Under water, man becomes
an archangel."
-Jacques
Costeau
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Scuba Diving
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Underwater
enthusiasts come to Cancun, Cozumel,
Puerto Morelos and other parts of
the Mexican Caribbean coast for
its clear turquoise waters, colorful
tropical fish, and exquisite coral
reef.
Currents allow for
drift dives, deep dives, night dives,
wall dives and shore dives while
the abundance of offshore wrecks
make exploration dives safe enough
for neophytes. The peninsula's cenotes,
or natural sinkholes, also provide
unusual dive experiences.
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Cavern Diving
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 Divers
come to Mexico's Mayan Riviera from
all over the world for cenote cavern
diving. The Yucatán Peninsula is
a limestone shelf with no rivers.
Rainwater seeps through the limestone
rock and runs in underground rivers
to the Caribbean Sea. Over the centuries,
weaknesses in the caves collapsed
sections of the roof, leaving sinkholes
open to the surface. In the Mexican
Caribbean, these cavern openings
are called
cenotes.
Cenote cavern dives
are a unique experience. The water
is crystal clear and fresh, and
divers can see the beautiful mineral
formations in the cenote cavern.
Unlike cave systems in most of the
world, the Yucatan's underground
rivers are close to the surface.
This means longer diving times in
the shallower depth. Cenote cavern
dives are not effected by the ocean's
temperament, so the water is always
calm and clear.
Caution:
Don't go cavern diving without a
guide. The "cavern" dive
is an advanced dive in an overhead
environment and should be done only
under the supervision of a qualified
professional guide. If you
are a certified open water diver,
you can dive in a cenote cavern
with a qualified guide.
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Dive
Trips, Instruction
and Certification
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 For
those who are beginners, there are
a number of courses offered to get
you started. The weekend course
or PADI resort course qualifies
you to dive with an experienced
dive master and has become a standard
feature in most all-inclusive packages.
The PADI Open Water Certification
is valid worldwide and allows you
to scuba dive anywhere in the world. |
Certified Diving
Marina Punta del
Este
Location:
Cancun.
Transportation
not provided.
Admire
and enjoy the
Caribbean Sea’s
natural wonders,
sailing on board
the Marina Punta
del Este's fully
equipped boats
and practice
certified diving
in open waters,
with depths
ranging from 35
to 60 feet in
ten different
coral reefs.
If you are a
certified diver,
you can be sure
this will be an
amazing and
unforgettable
experience! |
Cozumel
Certified Scuba
Diving
Location:
Cozumel.
Transportation
not provided.
Cozumel has the
second largest
coral reef in
the world. The
waters
surrounding
Mexico’s largest
island often
exceed 200 feet
of superbly
clear
visibility. The
sea life and the
deep ocean walls
are impressive
in the waters of
Cozumel. Come
practice
certified scuba
diving in
Cozumel and
experience an
unparallel
adventure in the
Mexican
Caribbean. |
Learn Scuba Diving
- Aquaworld
Location:
Cancun.
Learn
Scuba Diving
with Aquaworld!
Take your first
diving lesson in
a pool with a
professional
instructor for
90 minutes.
After a thorough
lesson in the
pool, you will
visit the second
largest coral
reef in the
world. Come to
Aquaworld and
learn Scuba
diving! |
Learn Scuba Diving
- Punta del Este
Location:
Cancun.
Discover the
fascinating
experience
enjoyed by
certified
divers when
exploring the
fabulous and
interesting
submarine world;
learn how to
dive in just two
hours! PADI
instructors will
teach you step
by step, in a
simple and funny
way, all that
you need to
know to start
practicing this
amazing sport.
This diving
lesson is
featured by
Marina Punta del Este
and it's divided
into three
stages. First,
you will receive
theoretical
training, then
you will
practice what
you’ve learned
in a swimming
pool, and
finally, and
this is the best
part of the
whole tour, you
will dive in
open waters! |
PADI Open-Water
Certification-Aquaworld
Location:
Cancun.
If you enjoy
Scuba diving and
you are looking
for a
professional
course, the PADI
open water
certification is
the best course
you will find
and your
certification
card will be
valid for a
lifetime. The
best instructors
will give you
the PADI open
water
certification
course in a
matter of four
or five days.
Come to
Aquaworld and
get your diving
course for open
waters and then
enjoy practicing
your diving in
the turquoise
waters of
Cancun or in
the coral reefs
of Cozumel. |
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Snorkeling
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Snorkeling is an easy way to see
the underwater sights since you
don’t need a lot of equipment or
training. There are a number
of excellent snorkeling trips offered
in Cancun and along the Riviera
Maya coast. Favorite spots include
Isla Mujeres, Puerto Morelos, Cozumel,
Xel-há, Xcaret and Akumal. Snorkeling
tours should provide you with good
quality mask, fins and a lifejacket.
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Snorkeling Tours
& Trips
Your snorkeling guide
will offer you tips to help make
the whole experience go smoothly
and will stay with your during the
tour, pointing out interesting
sights on the reef. Most tours include
transportation, lunch and drinks.
 There
are snorkeling tours that go to
Isla Mujeres and Cozumel,
both islands near Cancun. You can
go to both of these places by yourself
for much less money, and if you
are a sightseer rather than a serious
snorkeler, or if you are already
going on several other tours, you
might just want to go on your own.
There are a variety of Jungle Tours
in the Cancun lagoon. You can either
pilot your own jet-ski, or cruise
on a boat. You sail through the
twisty passages in the swamp until
you reach a spot where you can snorkel
the rest of the afternoon.
You can also snorkel off the
beach in the southern part of the
hotel zone. Get off the bus at the
Westin Regina hotel and head towards
the Club Med. There is also
great snorkeling at Xel-Ha, which
is often combined with a tour of
the nearby Tulum ruins, and at Xcaret.
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Aquatic
Expedition
Location:
Riviera Maya.
Departs From:
Playa del
Carmen, Riviera
Maya.
In the Aquatic
Expedition you
will be able to
discover the
beauty of the cenotes (natural
sinkholes) along
the Riviera
Maya. Visit cenotes in
one of the few
places in the
world with the
appropriate
geological
conditions for
their
development.
Snorkeling is
incredible, you
will see
sub-aquatic
stalagmites and
marine
fauna. |
Contoy Island
Asterix Tours
Location:
Isla Contoy.
Departs from:
Cancun
Enjoy an
unforgettable
experience
crossing the
majestic
Caribbean Sea to
get to a place
few have had the
privilege to
discover: Isla
Contoy. This
unspoiled
island, which
measures barely
5.2 miles long
and only 70 ft.
at its narrowest
point, is
located about 45
minutes north of
Isla Mujeres, on
one end of the
second largest
coral reef in
the world. Its
shallow, clear
and calm
beaches, with an
abundance of
underwater life
that will thrill
any snorkeler,
make of Isla
Contoy a spot no
nature lovers
should miss.
Moreover, Contoy
is famous for
its flora and
fauna, specially
for its birds of
which more than
90 species are
considered
either resident
or migratory,
turning the
island into a
delight for
people that like
to do bird
watching. The
tour to Isla
Contoy aboard
the Asterix
boats is a
unique
experience and
the most
comfortable way
to get to know
this amazing
natural haven.
Choose from
Contoy-only or
the Contoy plus
Isla Mujeres
option. |
Contoy Island
"Kolumbus Tours"
Location:
Isla Contoy.
Departs from:
Punta Sam near
Cancun
Embark
on a journey of
discovery and
explore the
natural wonders
of the most
unspoilt place
in the Mexican
Caribbean, the
Isla Contoy
National Park.
Enjoy the
numerous species
of birds and
beautiful white
sand beaches and
visit the new
museum of
nature. Enter
the magical
underwater world
with the help of
your snorkeling
equipment and
see the amazing
fauna in the sea
depths; also,
watch and learn
about the
diverse birds in
their natural
habitat with the
help of an
experienced
guide. This
wonderful trip
is done onboard
the “Corsario”
or the “Pinta”,
both replicas of
famous discovery
vessels, which
will transport
you back in
time. Finish it
with a feast of
delicious "Tikinxic"
fish (Maya-style
grilled fish)
prepared by your
own captain. |
Cozumel Reef
Snorkel
Location:
Cozumel.
Transportation
provided from:
Cancun.
The island of
Cozumel is
legendry among
divers and
snorkelers. The
waters
surrounding
Mexico’s largest
island often
exceed 200 feet
of superbly
clear
visibility. The
sea life, the
coral reefs, and
the deep ocean
walls are
impressive. This
is a full day of
adventure in the
Caribbean Sea. |
Cozumel Snorkel
Aquaworld
Location:
Cozumel.
Transportation
not provided.
Enjoy a fabulous
coral reef
snorkel tour
with the amazing
Cozumel Snorkel
program offered
by Aquaworld.
Spend an
unforgettable
day with this
40-minute tour
which will
provide you with
a professional
guide,
snorkeling gear,
buffet lunch,
beer, sodas and
water, and a
shopping trip to
downtown
Cozumel. |
Jungle
Tour-Sunrise
Marina
Location:
Cancun.
Jungle Tour is
an unparalleled
adventure.
Experience the
excitement of
driving your own
two-person
speedboat
through the
second largest
coral reef in
the world. This
adventure will
take you across the
Nichupte lagoon,
allowing you to
get in touch
with the beauty
of the mangroves
and get to know
the diverse
fauna and flora
of these complex
ecosystems. Come
and experience
the great
variety of
activities you
can experience
in the waters of
the Caribbean
Sea. |
Nohoch Jungle
Crossing
Location:
Riviera Maya.
Transportation
available from:
Riviera Maya,
Playa del
Carmen.
Nohoch
Jungle Crossing
is an unparalleled
tour that will
take you deep
into the
tropical jungle
of Quintana Roo.
During this tour
you will also
get the chance
to practice your
snorkeling in
one of the
world’s largest
discovered
subterranean
river systems.
Come and get in
touch with all
the beauty the
Riviera Maya has
for you. |
Snorkeling
Adventure
Location:
Riviera Maya.
Transportation
provided from:
Cancun, Playa del
Carmen, Riviera
Maya.
This snorkeling
adventure
consists of two
guided tours;
the first one in
the morning will
take you to a
shallow reef
where you will
have your first
contact with an
amazing marine
ecosystem for 40
minutes.
Afterwards, you
will sail
further to reach
a second and
deeper reef with
a totally
different
habitat, for
another 40
minutes. After
this expedition,
you will go back
to the beach
club to enjoy a
delicious
gourmet meal and
rest or engage
in an exciting
volleyball game.
For this
adventure's
grand finale, a
second guided
visit to the
reef departs
later in the
afternoon, when
the light and
temperature's
conditions have
changed, which
means you will
find a totally
different and
unique view that
will astound
you. The tour,
highly
recommended for
snorkeling
enthusiasts,
takes place at
Petempich Bay's
national park,
in front of the
second largest
coral reef in
the world,
surrounded by
stunning flora
and fauna. |
Tulum and Xel-Ha
Location:
Riviera Maya.
Transportation
optional from:
Cancun, Playa del
Carmen, Riviera
Maya.
All-Inclusive
optional.
Discover one of
the most
beautiful
archeological
sites of the
Riviera Maya,
the only one
overlooking the
Caribbean Sea
and its
turquoise waters
as a walled
fortress. Let
yourself be
taken into the
temple of the
frescoes, the
one of the
descending god
and "El
Castillo" an
amazing temple
built on a cliff
with splendid
views of the
coast. From here
you will be
taken to Xel-Ha,
the perfect spot
for snorkeling
and relaxation. |
Tulum Caribbean
Wonders
Location:
Riviera Maya.
Transportation
available from: Playa del
Carmen, Riviera
Maya.
Tulum
is a gorgeous
archaeological
zone located in
the Riviera
Maya, right by
the Caribbean
Ocean. It is a
place where you
will not only
explore the
fascinating Maya
ruins, but you
will also get
the chance to
practice
snorkeling in
its turquoise
waters, or lay
on the white
sands and top up
your tan. Walk
around Tulum’s
temples and
learn about its
cosmic and
religious
purposes. |
Xcaret
Location:
Riviera Maya.
Transportation
available from:
Cancun, Playa del
Carmen, Riviera
Maya.
“Nature's sacred
paradise”,
Xcaret is the
world’s most
famous
eco-archaeological
park. Here you
will find:
archaeological
ruins, dolphins
show, horses, a
farm with
tropical birds,
butterfly caves,
bat caves,
beach; you can
practice your
snorkeling
abilities in its
famous crystal
caves and the
well known
underground
river. With its
53 activities to
enjoy, Xcaret is
an experience
for all your
senses. This
ecological park
was once one of
the Maya
civilization's
most important
ports. Come to
the unparalleled
ecological park
of Xcaret,
located in the
Riviera Maya, and
spend an
unforgettable
day with your
family. |
Xel-Ha
Location:
Riviera Maya.
All Inclusive
optional.
Transportation
not included.
Xel-Ha
is the perfect
spot for
snorkeling and
relaxing. This
natural aquarium
is famous for
its thousands of
brightly colored
tropical fish
and the dramatic
limestone
formations. Here
you will be able
to explore
creeks, lagoons
and caves fed by
subterranean
rivers. In
Xel-Ha you can
experience the
adventure of
swim with
dolphins. Xel-Ha
is a living
invitation to
enjoy
sustainable
tourism and
recreation in a
preserved
natural
environment. |
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