|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Cozumel Snorkeling |
 |
| The search is over! You have come to the right spot! |
For those who have never visited the island of Cozumel for snorkeling, a spectacular underwater rainbow awaits as you snorkel along the miles of world famous reefs here.
 Since Cozumel enjoys an average of 350 days of sunshine, 150 - 250 feet of underwater visibility, a warm 80+ degree year-round average sea temperature it plays host to over 500 species of vibrantly colored tropical fish and corals. A big part of the ancient Mesoamerican barrier reef lies just off the Cozumel shore - about 200-500 yards. All of this adds up to incredible conditions for some awesome snorkeling!
Since tourism abounds in Cozumel and visitors are always diving or snorkeling the reefs of Cozumel, we enjoy some of the friendliest fish you can imagine. So hopefully you can snap a few good pictures this time instead of just fish butts! The miles and miles of incredibly clean, pristine reefs are simply mountains of living coral that provide a stunning view of the ocean and it all starts at just 20 feet deep!
The beauty of Cozumel snorkeling is that it plays host to all sorts of different coral formations like mounds and outcroppings in the shallow waters and then caverns and swim throughs along the coral walls that drop to over 500 feet deep. Snorkelers as well as divers enjoy this spectacular ocean view because of the crystal clear visibility and the drifting currents which provide a relaxing "free ride!"
Cozumel snorkeling is perfect for everyone- no matter the level of skill. Beginners as well as "Old Timers" feel right at home snorkeling amongst the colorful reefs teeming with sea life.
Since Cozumel consistently ranks among the top 3 - 5 dive destinations in the world among scuba divers, it goes without saying that the snorkeling must be incredible, too! Cozumel enjoys some of the clearest water found anywhere in the Caribbean and visibility can be 150 feet or more depending on the water currents.
| Why is Cozumel snorkeling better than other places? |
Looking at an arial map, take note of the fact that Cozumel sits well away from mainland Mexico (about 7 miles) and also that the island is long going north to south. This happens to be the general flow of the ocean currents around the island as well. This constant flow of currents keeps the waters around the island clean and filled with fresh nutrients that corals feed on. If water is stagnate and not moving, some corals will grow but the majority of them depend on nutrients and sunlight to develop and thrive.
 Since clean water is crystal clear, more sunlight can penetrate deeper and this allows corals to grow at deeper depths. A deeper depth coral colony will surive more natural events such as storm surges as well as be protected from human destruction (walking, crushing, harvesting for souvineirs, etc.)
While there are coral reefs and corals growing all around the island, Cozumel's most beautiful corals are formed and located on the west side of the island where there is more natural protection from the open Caribean sea and it's storm surge. This more protected west side of the island has, over millions of years, produced coral formations growing upward from the bottom of the sea some 400 feet and more! No wonder divers get excited coming here and seeing these beautiful underwater formations!
Snorkelers will not necessarily see all of these biggest most beautiful coral formations since their beauty is hidden well beneath the sea and diving equipment is necessary. However, snorkelers CAN see the TOPS of these coral formations as well as enjoy other coral reefs that exist in the islands shallower waters. And of course, where there is coral and protection from the elements and predators, there will be fish, lobsters, crabs, eels, stingrays and a multitude of other sea critters for snorkers to enjoy!
So take the plunge! Get your face wet and enjoy the "down under" beauty Cozumel has to offer snorkelers!
|
|
Some Snorkeling and Related Activities
|
|
|
|
We just returned from our 7th visit to Cozumel and we visited the butterfly sancturary with our six year old and we absolutely loved it! We know the island very well and this was our first vist to the beach club and now we have a new favorite to add to our island list. We don't do alot of touristy things when we are on the island, but this place is worth it. Beautiful, educational and relaxing! What more could you ask for! We will return to Cozumel in November and we will definitely head for the butterfly sanctuary and PalMar beach club! Michele Borzeka ~ Chicago, Illinois
|
Sherri, We just returned after a great cruise on the Carnival Holiday. We took a taxi from the cruise pier to Palmar Estate Beach Club and spent about 1/2 a day at your beautiful place. We toured the butterfly sanctuary with your wonderful guide, Enrique, who was informative and very gracious. I also spent quite a bit of time talking to Juan and he was delightful. We relaxed, ate chips and salsa, drank pina coladas and soaked in the sun. What a delightful place you have and a wonderful staff that made our visit great. Thanks and if we get a chance to recommend your place to others we will surely do that.
PS: Your website warned us that the taxi drivers may not be too helpful when asked to go to Palmar Estates and you were correct. After asking 3 drivers who all sort of turned up their noses at us and acted like they had never heard of your place or the butterfly sanctuary we found one that would listen. I told him it was between Hotel Presidente & Fiesta Americana and he said OK. If we would have told him just to go to the Money Bar he would have probably known just where to go. Anyway we got there in only about 6-8 minutes from the pier. Dale and Cathy Carlson ~ Louisville, KY
|
Just wanted to say I thoroughly enjoyed The SNUBA and snorkeling trip. It was absolutely breathtaking seeing the wonderful reefs and sea life firsthand. I would say the SNUBA experience made our vacation one of the best ever for us. I was as excited as a Young child in a candy store when I went under with your support staff. Your whole group was so helpful and accomodating to us and I loved the whole experience. Thanks again! We will definitely be back and also tell our friends about the wonders of SNUBA! G. Carlson ~ Houston, TX
|
My daughter, 13 did the dolphin swim and it was the best time of her life.. up close and personal with scarlet.. the pictures were beautiful and the video wonderful.. this was a once in a life time event that she will remember for her entire life... well worth the 99.00 and the additional 75.00 for pics and video coverage.. if you can afford to do this, this is not to be missed.. it was the highlight of the entire vacation... go and have fun, well worth the cost and a lot of fun to be had. WONDERFUL TIME....
Monica Beach and katie Richards Monica Beach ~ Ocala, Florida
|
Just received my beautiful map yesterday in the mail. The shipping was extremely fast and the laminated map is just wonderful. Although I know my way around pretty well, I like to have a reference just in case. I can't wait to use it when I am in Cozumel next month. Thanks! Natalie N ~ Memphis, TN USA
|
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
Copyright © 2000-2013 Sherri Davis, All Rights Reserved. All website content is the property of Cozumel Insider unless otherwise attributed and cannot be used, displayed or reproduced without express written permission from Cozumel Insider.
Contributors retain the copyright to their work where applicable; please do not take art or words without permission. Other graphics and reference materials are used and attributed as per the Fair Use Provision of The Copyright Act and individual terms of use.
|
 |
