Puerto Morelos or Akumal for Snorkeling?

[judandrei]

Hi everyone. We are planning to do snorkeling during our trip but we haven't decided yet where to go. Which do you prefer, PM or Akumal for snorkeling?

[DavidB]

Never snorkeled at Puerto Morelos. Snorkeled at Akumal last year and saw 3 turtles and a ray. Have fish tacos at Lucy's, to the left of the arch. mmm. good.

[judandrei]

Thanks for the tip DavidB.

[Tony&Cheri]

We love Akumal for snorkeling. Here's a blog we did awhile back after a day trip there: An August Day at Akumal Bay: Luna Blue’s PlayaZone.

[judandrei]

Thanks Tony and Cheri. Your blog is so helpful. We'll definitely consider Akumal for snorkeling.

[MWC]

Akumal is definitely better for a more do-it-yourself approach. At Puerto Morelos you will have to hire a boat/guide, as access to the reef there is highly restricted and regulated. Also, Akumal's waters are calmer; Puerto Morelos, in general, is calm in the morning, but the waves and wind pick up steadily throughout the day.

At Akumal Bay (the main beach), you can snorkel right from the beach, and see some pretty decent stuff not too far out. You could also cab up to Yalku Lagoon, which has a small entrance fee -- but that's pretty cool, as well. For an all-day snorkel experience, I would recommend Akumal -- and do try YalKu, Half Moon Bay, not just the main beach. Puerto Morelos is good if you don't mind spending to hire the boat/guide, then having your snorkelling limited to a few hours. (The off-the-beach snorkeling at PM is uninspiring). PM is a cute little, "old school" Mexican fishing village, with a nice downtown for a little bit of shopping. The beach is nice-ish, but doesn't get raked or groomed.

I would tend toward Akumal.

[Sideways]

Originally Posted by judandrei

Hi everyone. We are planning to do snorkeling during our trip but we haven't decided yet where to go. Which do you prefer, PM or Akumal for snorkeling?

Akumal, specificaly Half Moon Bay

Akumal bay, Half Moon bay, Yal-ku lagoon: satellite picture

[judandrei]

Seems like Akumal is a clear winner between the two. We'll definitely try to go there. Btw, aside from hailing a cab how do we get there from Playa and vice versa? Can we take a bus or colectivo?

[MWC]

That's another plus for Akumal, it is very easy to use mass transit to get there. We always found the Cancun-bound colectivos problematic, in terms of getting to PM that way.

You can take a Tulum-bound colectivo from Playa, and get off on the main highway at the PLAYA AKUMAL sign. From there, it's a do-able walk, or you can turn inland and wave down a taxi.

[judandrei]

Thanks for the tip MWC. We thought of taking a tour but it seems like we can do it on our own and with that we can save more.

[DavidB]

You don't have to snorkel very far out at Akumal to see the turtles.

[DavidB]

Speaking of Akumal. A Dr friend of ours owns a very nice house in Akumal about half way to Yakul. When we are in the area we try to stop in to see him. He's been retired for about 4 years, and we haven't seen him for a couple of years. I asked another Dr. if he's heard from him and he said he's brought a Citrus Farm in Belize. It's also a shrimp farm Total shocker. He was a very good ENT Dr, really nice guy. Guess he just needs to have new challenges. Good for him.

[Gringo Fred]

I have snorkled many times in Puerto Morelos. The easiest way to get there is to take the bus to P.M., it drops you off on the highway there you can get a cab straight down the road to the square. Walk to pier and arrange a tour. The reef is only a boat ride away ,they will take you to 2 or 3 spots. In Akumal if you do not know where to swim out to you will not find reef, but you will always find turtles.When you finish snorkling in P.M. there is lots of choices to eat and shop. Then it is a cab ride back to highway (I always walked both ways that way I saved money,I was there for 92 days and learned to stretch money)You need to cross the highway and the collectivos stop at the gas area and take you back to Playa.You can also wait for a bus, but collectivos are always there. One time in P.M. I saw 2 giant spotted eagle rays, it was pretty awesome to see these very large creatures.

[himandeye]

I've always heard Akumal... I will find out for sure after our next vacation

[Gringo Fred]

One excellent thing about this site is that they do not panic if another site is recomended to answer a question,unlike some other sites. You should check www.vivapuertomorelos.com where you can check out the town.

[Gringo Fred]

In the above post I referenced a site, it should be www.viva I wrote www.vive so everybody change and check out. While I am here,here is a vote for Akumal. The last time there,my brother and his wife, my wife and me were out snorkling the reef where we saw lots of assorted fish . I dive down go around a rock and there is a 7 -8 foot reef shark about 10 feet from me.....Holy Shit I shoot to the surface and grab my brother did you see him, Yes and so did everybody else.Before everyone panics,1 is the nurse shark 2 is the reef shark both species are plant eaters no meat. The next shark in the line up is the Bull shark ,in much deeper and colder water.If ya want to see the Bull shark ya need to first find Jason local dive master.If anybody wants to know where some of the better spots out in the bay, I could post some directions.

[steph153]

Akumal has it all over PM for snorkeling, especially if you are a first timer. Just rent a car from Playa to get there - then you can stop at some of the other sights, even PM.

John and Deb

[Libby]

Originally Posted by Gringo Fred

In the above post I referenced a site, it should be www.viva I wrote www.vive so everybody change and check out.

I fixed the link in your first post, Fred. Thanks for coming back to point that out. I have yet to snorkel in Puerto Morelos, but definitely want to try it out one day.

[Gringo Fred]

Since I have 1 vote for Akumal and 1 for P.M. Here's my tie breaker. When I go to P.M. I start my day with some of the best coffee at Cafe Amancia, then I stop at Loncheria "El Tio" for a jamon con queso torta y fanta to go. Then make your way to the beach once there, head north (if ya don't know which way is north head toward your left) Walk for maybe 10 minutes and you will come upon Hotel de Agua sit on the beach and enjoy your sandwich.Then make your way through bar to their dive shop(Wetset Diving) they have a 2.5 hour snorkling tour that goes to 3 spots on the reef and it's only18.00 dollars the reef is just incredible. Once your back from the tour you can have some beers at the bar,the view is awesome.When yor ready, it's back to town. Around the square are many stores and don't forget to stop in Alma Libre Bookstore where you can get some local postcards. Then find your way to the Mayan Handicraft Market.There is so much more to do here then in Akumal.P.S. I don't have any ties to above places just many,many,many days in the area.