Where to go snorkeling in Playa Del Carmen and nearby - Everything Playa Del Carmen (2023)

FAQs

Where is the best place to snorkel in Playa del Carmen? ›

The 4 best snorkel sites in and around Playa include:

Akumal. Puerto Morelos. Puerto Aventuras. Jardin del Eden.

Although you can put on your snorkeling gear and snorkel anywhere in Playa del Carmen, there really isn't much to see along most of the coast. The one exception is to the south of Playacar. You will need to go right to the end of the beach where it gets rocky and swim out.

Can I buy snorkel gear in Playa del Carmen? - Travel Yucatan. Yes there are many dive-shops and sporting goods stores throughout. Visitors can also find this type of gear at Sam's Club, Walmart and other similar stores.

If you want to go swimming with the turtles in Playa del Carmen, just go to Akumal beach like normal and find a place to sit, preferably down away from the entrance and the scam “guides.”

Cozumel vs Playa Del Carmen Snorkeling

Cozumel wins this one hand down! Famous all over the world for its first-class snorkeling experiences, the reefs, and lush marine life are incomparable. People from all over the world flock to Cozumel every year to go diving or snorkel the reefs that surround it.

Do not touch corals, fish or turtles. The only thing you can touch safely is sand and rock and water (that means with your fins also). Read our snorkeling etiquette page for learning how to develop skills for taking a break in the water without having to stand. Don't use harmful sunscreen.

Beaches Resort-An Overview

It is all-inclusive in the most literal sense. Everything is paid for. Scuba diving, Hobie Cats, Snorkeling, Tennis.. anything.

While we recommend belting a waterproof box to you while you snorkel for your valuables (ID, money, credit cards, cell phone, keys, etc.), we normally leave our shoes, towels, inexpensive sunglasses, hats, snorkel bags, sunscreen, etc. on the beach well above the water line.

A good way to go about it is to purchase your own mask and snorkel, which usually don't take up too much luggage space. This option also neatly addresses any concerns you may have about hygiene since you don't have to worry about anyone else having used your gear.

Snorkeling will only be operated with brand-new snorkel tubes, properly packaged, Each component is kept covered in its own storage bag. You are allowed to bring your own. You can rather keep it or destroy it when the activity is finished. It is established as prohibitive the use of saliva to defrost the mask.

What time of day is best for snorkeling? ›

In most locations, snorkeling in the morning is best because the waters are calmer and the winds are fairly smooth and calm. Many experts believe that the ideal snorkeling conditions exist when you have a gentle westerly wind, warm water, and a low tide.

Many factors determine the contrast-ability of your equipment, such as time of day, quality of water, shadows across the water, etc. For the most part, the lighter your gear the more contrast it will have. If you are wanting to blend in, blue or black would probably be your best bet.

The most common type of reef is the fringing reef. This type of reef grows seaward directly from the shore.

Two popular styles include the dry snorkel and a semi dry snorkel. Both are fantastic for keeping water out of your mask, but they are both used quite differently. Depending on how you want to snorkel, you'll want to pick a snorkel tube suited for your preference.

Most Snorkeling Reefs are located under 300 yards from the shore.

In most cases, we don't recommend diving underwater for any more than 2 minutes with a full face snorkel. Even if you are an experienced snorkeler who is going out in perfect conditions, we don't recommend diving for more than 2 minutes.

Look, Don't Touch

Attempting to touch marine animals, like otters, seals, dolphins, sea turtles, or manta rays could seriously injure them, cause them to flee, or evoke aggressive behavior, using up the precious energy they need to perform basic life activities.

Xcacel beach lies 30 miles south of Playa del Carmen, and a further 2.5 miles south of Akumal, between Chemuyil and Xel-Ha Park. The entrance to this turtle sanctuary/cenote is on the northbound side of the highway.

With its close proximity to some of the most incredible coral reefs in the world, Playa del Carmen is an amazing destination for snorkeling and underwater activities.

Can I brush my teeth with water in Playa del Carmen? ›

You can use the tap water to brush your teeth, however, do not drink the tap water. Drink water and lots of it.

Open Heel Fins

You can wear them both barefoot or with socks/shoes. If you decide for the latter then it's probably best to go for some neoprene socks (if you're not allergic) or even some water shoes. Socks or shoes have the advantage that they keep your feet warm.

Choosing a good location is especially important for first-time snorkelers. Pick a place that doesn't have a strong current or big waves. You'll also want to make sure the water is clear enough to see through. It's better to start out snorkeling at a beach rather than out at sea on a boat.

Rash Guard - If you're going to be snorkeling in warm water, opt for a rash guard or swim shirt rather than a wetsuit. This will protect your skin from the sun and other irritants while keeping you cool and comfortable. Fin Socks or Swim Shoes - If you want to protect your feet, you can bring swim shoes or fin socks.

Breathing with a traditional snorkel mask comprises of having the snorkel tube in your mouth that remains above the waterline. You breathe through the tube as you view the reefs through shallow waters. With a full-face snorkel mask that covers your entire face, you can breathe through both your nose and your mouth.

Safe Snorkel Breathing Tips

Breathe slow and deep: Place the mask on your face and the snorkel in your mouth and breathe in and out through the tube. Breathe slowly, deeply and cautiously with your mouth through your snorkel. It is important to take slow, deep breaths to flush air from the tube.

How will you keep them dry when you snorkel, kayak, swim, etc? Store them in a floating waterproof carry case or dry sack. You can search for waterproof cases and dry sacks online.

Water shoes are available in many different fabrics. If you prefer really warm feet it's best to go for a neoprene fabric. The small layer of water between your foot and the shoe will provide a warm sensation. They work just like a wetsuit.

Items such as jewelry or watches reflect light well, which can seem like a distressed animal to the shark. So make sure to avoid wearing the watch or jewelry while snorkeling.

Do you need gloves for snorkeling? ›

Even though gloves are not a necessity for snorkelers, they provide a few advantages. Keeping your hands warm and protected are the two main reasons why some people prefer to wear a pair.

Dive boots and fin socks

Will you need to walk over any rough or rocky terrain to get to your snorkeling site? If yes, then you'll be better off with a pair of booties and open-heel fins! For full-foot fins, you can wear a thin neoprene fin sock instead of going barefoot if you wish.

Should I bring water shoes? Do pack a pair of water shoes, you will use them in most water activities. If you forget bring them, there are several places to buy them in Cancun.

Getting Over the Fear of Fish

SEA LIFE aquariums can be found all over the world, just to give you an example. But maybe there's another one nearby. Remember that when you're snorkeling, fish aren't interested in touching you.

So, Can One Snorkel Without Being Able to Swim? The short answer is YES. Essentially, snorkeling is a surface sport that involves mostly floating and requires very little (if any) actual swimming.

With snorkel masks, you can descend up to six feet underwater without issue. However, your snorkel mask may fill up with CO2 and make it difficult to breathe. As a result, you shouldn't go deeper than six feet or even stay in the water for more than 25-30 minutes.

Since sharks see contrast colors, anything that is very bright against lighter or darker skin can look like a bait fish to a shark. For this reason, he suggests swimmers avoid wearing yellow, white, or even bathing suits with contrasting colors, like black and white.

Neon yellow, green, and orange swimsuits were the most visible beneath 18 inches of open water. All other colors disappeared quickly. In open water, bright, neon colors, including orange, yellow, and lime green, fared best.

What are the 3 largest reefs? ›

The Florida Keys Reef Tract is the third largest living coral barrier reef system in the world behind the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System off the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras.

With its close proximity to some of the most incredible coral reefs in the world, Playa del Carmen is an amazing destination for snorkeling and underwater activities.

Xcacel beach lies 30 miles south of Playa del Carmen, and a further 2.5 miles south of Akumal, between Chemuyil and Xel-Ha Park. The entrance to this turtle sanctuary/cenote is on the northbound side of the highway.

Beaches Resort-An Overview

It is all-inclusive in the most literal sense. Everything is paid for. Scuba diving, Hobie Cats, Snorkeling, Tennis.. anything.

In 2022, most of the beaches had no seaweed by October 15, 2022. But if you're visiting Playa del Carmen in seaweed season in, it's possible to avoid seaweed problems in Playa del Carmen by staying at the Xcaret Hotel Arte (adults-only) or Xcaret Hotel (family-friendly).

The best time to visit is between December and March when the weather is most settled. The hottest month of the year is May with an average daily maximum of 33 C and an average low of 23 C. The coolest month of the year is January with an average daily maximum of 27 C and an average low of 20 C.

This all depends on the person, where they live, the activities they enjoy and other daily things. However, the average person will spend $30 USD per day in Playa del Carmen. This comes to about $900 USD per month, including groceries, transportation, rent, bills, and others.

Snorkeling is best at low tide. Low tides often result in shallow pools, allowing you to have a close and clear view of the marine life. Although the type of tide is important, other factors like wind, rain and currents play an important role as well.

Top Tip: Punta Esmeralda is a curved bay sheltered from the open sea, and thus receives less sargassum seaweed than other beaches in Playa del Carmen. If you're visiting during the sargassum season, which runs roughly from April to August, this might be the best place to swim in seaweed-free water.

As one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mexico, 5^th Avenue Playa del Carmen – “La Quinta Avenida” to locals – is 22 blocks of high-end retailers, bars, restaurants, local shops, cafes, and much more. 5^th Avenue is essentially Playa del Carmen's Main Street.

What is the quiet beach near Playa del Carmen? ›

Punta Esmeralda Beach is known as the hidden local beach in Playa del Carmen. This undeveloped beach is perfect for those wanting to escape the crowds, relax and unwind. At Punta Esmeralda Beach, visitors will find a natural cenote that flows into the Caribbean.

—the best time to spot sea turtles coming on the shore is midday, typically from around 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Most nesting sea turtle species come ashore at night, alone, and often during high tide. Some species, such as the Kemp's ridley, nest during the day and generally emerge from the ocean by the hundreds to lay their nests in a mass nesting event called an arribada or arrival.

Hatchlings usually wait until night to emerge from the nest. Emerging at night reduces exposure to daytime predators. Studies have shown that some nests will produce hatchlings on more than one night.