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Detailed Island & Reef Creatures Maps |
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Franko’s Maps began in 1992 when Franko, an avid mountain biker, was just trying to suit his own want of a map for mountain biking the local trails near his home in Southern California. Inventing his own cartographic methods Franko then expanded a bit: first adding more trail maps from around his area and then making a series of six California islands and coastal maps. He then created a series of Hawaiian Islands maps, an enormously ambitious endeavor, yet obviously fun. Franko’s Map of Oahu led to a second Oahu map, called Franko’s Oahu Surfing Map. This success within surfing led him to develop even more surf maps for California areas. Almost simultaneously, Franko also came up with an new type of “fish cards”, which are really miniature “Franko’s Maps” on side 1, with local undersea creatures on side 2. Along the way Franko has made boating and fishing related maps too! Finally, to our elation Franko discovered the Caribbean islands and has begun using his incredible talents to take the mystery out of finding your way on some of the Caribbean Islands including Bonaire, Cayman Islands and of course Cozumel!!
All of Franko's maps and cards are printed on durable plastic paper so that they are waterproof and rip-proof and virtually indestructible! The use of plastic is just right for use while touring the island, walking around town, hiking on the beach or under water while diving or snorkeling! These maps and fish cards are a "must have" for those exploring Cozumel!
Order one (or more!) and have something to enjoy reading and reviewing on the plane ride down.
| Cozumel Island & Reef Map |
This is the first of a series of Caribbean Maps that Franko has been working on for over three years. At last the FIRST EDITION was finished in October, 2003. This most recent CozumelInsider edition was reviewed and edited by COZUMELINSIDER as well as other islanders in Mid 2004, so it is fully up-to-date!
Franko’s Map of Cozumel, which is an island just off the Yucatan Peninsula of the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, features an layout of Isla de Cozumel based on nautical charts and aerial photos. Cozumels road's, Maya ruins, resorts and other features are shown on side one.
Most importantly, is the location and detailed descriptions of 55 scuba diving and snorkeling sites for which Cozumel has it’s prestige and fame. It is noteworthy to say that Cozumel boasts some of the most outstanding scuba diving on earth. One could claim that as many as five of the top ten scuba sites in the world are along Cozumel’s leeward (west) side. The descriptions of these underwater walls, coral pinnacles and buttresses and coral gardens is briefly told for each one, and then on side two of the map there is a drawing and descriptions of these features in general. Franko’s Map of Cozumel also shows a number of dive sites on the windward side of Cozumel.
For those who are interested, Cozumel also has a trio of notable surf spots, which are located on the map. Cannons, anchors and other artifacts are found in the waters of Cozumel. Franko’s Map of Cozumel shows a sampling of these items dating from the Sapanish exploration era onward. Maya ruin sites, where there still can be found beautiful examples of former great cites in Cozumel’s interior are also located on this map. Some folks travel to Cozumel just to see the ruins.
Since much of Cozumel is a Marine Park (Marine Parque Arricefes De Cozumel), it is certain that this map fits right into Franko’s personal love of the undersea. It also follows that no Franko’s Map which caters to a beautiful island and it’s diving would be complete without local reef creature information. In fact, the finishing touch on side one of Franko’s Map of Cozumel is Franko’s Caribbean reef creatures guide. This data includes over 100 species of fish, invertebrates, corals and sponges, depicted in full color with names for easy identification. This includes everything from green sea and hawksbill turtles to white-spotted eagle rays, trumpetfish, blacktip reef sharks, and longspine squirrelfish. It also includes mountainous star coral, finger coral, sheet coral, sea fans, and the one coral feared by Franko - fire coral. The favorite of all of Cozumel’s undersea creatures is it’s own unique Cozumel splendid toadfish. This beautiful depiction of Cozumel's fabulous undersea life is a combination of carefully drawn artwork, intermingled with Franko’s underwater photography that has been blended into the artwork.
Side two of Franko’s Map of Cozumel features a couple of zoom-ins and a Cozumel Reefs explanation and artwork. The first feature is Franko’s Map of Greater San Miguel, which covers much of the west coast, from the Cozumel Country Club on the north to Chankanaab Marine National Park on the south. Chankanaab Park is also show in an enlarged detail. The locations of the dive sposts defined on side one are more closely shown here. A few undersea photos of the reefs and sights highlight this map. Although this detail shows many of the hotels and resorts along Cozumel’s leeward side, the City of San Miguel itself deserves an even closer detail. And thus the detail called AFranko’s Map of Downtown San Migueld was created. Many of Cozumel’s main dive shops are located in this detail, along with the city’s main features, such as the cruise ship terminals, the route to the airport, Plaza San Miguel, hotels, and even grocery stores. A picture of a statue of the archangel San Miguel (Saint Michael), which was photographed at Cozumel’s beautiful San Miguel Church, shows exactly what this fine city was named after. This city map and the details on the other parts of the map make getting around on Cozumel via car, vespa, bike, or walking easy. Also included is a section on Coral Reefs detail,a Cozumel Coral Garden, such as might be found at Santa Rosa Shallows or Paradise Reef.
Franko’s Map of Cozumel is a must have for anyone visiting or diving at Cozumel. Anyone who like seahorses must have this map!
Printed on waterproof, rip-proof plastic. Available folded or flat laminated (like a placemat)
Map size: 14" x 21" |
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Purchase a Map or Reef Creatures ID Cards
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I thought I would let you know that my maps were in my mailbox yesterday when I got home. I looked them over quickly and they look awesome!!! I can't wait to look them over really well this weekend!!! Perfect service Jacqueline you have been wonderful to deal with, I thank you for your patience in answering all my questions and the maps only took 5 days to get to me!!! WOW what a great system you have, and after a hurricane that tore you all apart I still got service like this.....BRAVO!!!! You will be recommended to everyone I hear is heading your way!!!! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, I can't wait for Feb. to come meet you or your employees!!! K & J Steiskal ~ Owatonna, MN
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I got my beautiful map today and it is great -- thanks! It is for hanging on the wall in my daughter's room. They both look forward to visiting Cozumel again some day if we can. Kay H. ~ St. Louis, MO
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I am delighted to say that I received my maps today, and love them. Thanks for a great website. Hope to sign up for the 45-minute Dolphin Encounter as soon as our trip is coordinated. K. Roberts ~ Waco, TX
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Thank you very much - I got my map yesterday and it's everything that was promised - I'm most pleased! R. Metituk ~ Wembley, Canada
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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
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| Cozumel / Mexican Caribbean Reef Creatures ID Cards |
The first of a series of Caribbean Reef Creatures fish cards is this one of Cozumel (6" x 9"). On side one there are fish - lots and lots of colorful, tropical, Caribbean fish, plus invertebrates, sponges, and corals. There are over 100 species shown.
There are big fish like the nurse shark, tiny fish like the blue chromis, and middle-size fish like the princess parrotfish. There are fat ones like the blue parrotfish, skinny ones like the trumpetfish, sleek ones like the cero, box-shaped ones like the spotted trunkfish, round ones like the spotfin butterflyfish, wide ones like the eagle ray, and much more. Then there are colorful sponges and corals. The cutest one of all may be the seahorse. The scariest thing on the card is probably the fire coral. The list is almost like a top-100 of favorite critters in Cozumel waters.
Technically, all of these fish are depicted on side two of this fish card. On side one the main feature is a mini-map of Cozumel, taken from Franko’s Map of Cozumel. It shows the name and location of Cozumel’s principle dive sites, plus a few more fish (there wasn’t enough room on the other side of the fish card for all of them!).
The second in the series features Mexican Caribbean Reef Creatures (4" x 6").
Both cards are made of stiff, laminated plastic, with a hole for a lanyard.
Take them snorkeling or scuba diving with you! |
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