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colored coral and cenotes - 10/24/2012 12:30:42 PM
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bmoguy
Posts: 232
Joined: 11/7/2011
From: Canada
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I will be returning to Akumal this Feb. Last year I snorkelled but did not see any bright coral. The coral looked kinda grey. Are there any places to snorkel where the coral is not grey. Akumal bay or Half moon bay or???
Someone was saying that snorkelling near the cannons in Akumal bay has some nice coral. Is this true.
On to Cenotes. Last year we snorkelled Grand Cenote. What are some of the other cenotes that gringos have enjoyed
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RE: colored coral and cenotes - 10/24/2012 2:37:29 PM
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bmoguy
Posts: 232
Joined: 11/7/2011
From: Canada
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Sounds good. I will be at Playa Caribe. I will stroll up the beach. Is there a land mark or Condo that you look for?
I will definitely try Dos Ojos. A friend of mine went diving there so I thought it was just for divers
thanks
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RE: colored coral and cenotes - 10/24/2012 4:48:49 PM
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PC5
Posts: 867
Joined: 4/4/2008
From: Bishop, CA and Akumal, Q. Roo
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I think the light is a big factor in the color of the coral. It can look drab one minute, then change with the sunlight. Also, IMHO, the coral is more colorful in the summer.
Enjoy your second stay at Playa Caribe!
Annie
Playa Caribe #5
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RE: colored coral and cenotes - 10/25/2012 9:28:49 AM
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bmoguy
Posts: 232
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From: Canada
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thanks Annie. I tried to get #5 but sadly unavailable. Where is your favorite entry point for snorkelling. Or is it right in front of Playa Caribe :)
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RE: colored coral and cenotes - 10/25/2012 1:36:12 PM
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Scott in Akumal
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From: Akumal
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One thing to consider about the coral is that the corals of the Meso-Americna Reef are more earth tones of browns and greens. You find the more brightly colored corals (reds, blues, purples, etc) in other parts of the world (Great Barrier Reef, South Pacific, Red Sea).
_____________________________
Scott Brown
Locogringo Vacation Specialist
Stuck in paradise: 27 years, 1 month, and counting...
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RE: colored coral and cenotes - 10/25/2012 10:58:41 PM
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juan rojo
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BMOguy , I would walk north from Playa Caribe a bit to a vacant lot about half way to the north end of the bay . There are entry paths that you will see . The bay is very shallow for quite a way out . Here'san old post with some info . If you are coming from the highway and through the arches past Akumal Bay , La Buena Vida is your first opportunity to easily access Halfmoon Bay . If your main goal is only to snorkel and you don't need a place to sit and have drinks then I would walk farther past La Buena Vida and another food and drink and access option called La Lunita to an empty beach lot with a clear roadway to the beach . We entered the water via some pathways that are in front of the La Tortuga condos and also in front of this vacant lot . In my opinion this is the easiest entry and the safest , most protected part of the bay for wave action that can be a real concern on windy , wavy days . There are some broad leaf trees to sit under and we spent a pleasant afternoon under them with our small cooler . We got a little hungry and I walked down to La Lunita for some ceviche mixta that was quite good although not a huge portion for 90 pesos to go . We stayed at the La Joya condos , very near here later in our trip and had many other snorkels from there . Halfmoon Bay is very shallow for the first two hundred yards and so a rashgaurd or any shirt is a great idea to protect against contact with the bottom , and is the best reef safe sunscreen as well . The exit can be more of a problem with wave action pushing toward shore and possibly downward over that shallow last 200 yards of sensitive and sharp submerged ironshore . Make a point to mark a shore reference feature so you can find the path you entered by . I have read reports of strong currents out by the reef and did experience strong to VERY strong wave action back and forth pulling that you had to roll with and not resist but not any predominantly outward pull , myself . There is some wonderful coral to see and turtles and rays and fish but after snorkelling many hours in Halfmoon Bay I would warn beginning snorkellers to use some caution and explore inside the reef at the north end of the bay first and then move a bit south into the coral garden as seems wise for your skill level and the conditions that day . Stay shoreside of the dark areas , reef coral , making short cuts up and around the varying features as seems safe for your comfort level and conditions that can change quite a lot . Something that is very safe one day can be very dangerous another day . If you get a dead calm day take advantage . Keep a good distance away from the many coral heads that appear as small islands underwater and almost out of the water at times offering NO clearance on top of them . I would NEVER go outside of any main reef in Halfmoon or Akumal Bays as there is simply no need , to see fantastic sights
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Please be happy always
PARTLY CLOUDY = MOSTLY SUNNY
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RE: colored coral and cenotes - 10/26/2012 8:32:10 AM
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bmoguy
Posts: 232
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From: Canada
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excellent advice on half moon bay - thanks . What about Akumal Bay. Some people say near the cannons is good. Is it safe. I don't want to get hit by a boat. Speaking of boats is it a good idea to hire a boat for a snorkel at Akumal Bay.
I snorkeled there last year. Always went early as in the afternoon the bay was full of people tripping over each other
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RE: colored coral and cenotes - 10/27/2012 7:57:24 AM
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MM
Posts: 933
Joined: 8/11/2004
From: Utah
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bmoguy
excellent advice on half moon bay - thanks . What about Akumal Bay. Some people say near the cannons is good. Is it safe. I don't want to get hit by a boat. Speaking of boats is it a good idea to hire a boat for a snorkel at Akumal Bay.
I snorkeled there last year. Always went early as in the afternoon the bay was full of people tripping over each other
We like to take a boat out to the Cannons.... and they make a great anchor. (as long as they dont go off!)
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Enjoy!
Mike
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RE: colored coral and cenotes - 10/27/2012 11:16:09 AM
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Vancouver Sundog
Posts: 5891
Joined: 10/1/2006
From: North Vancouver
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quote:
Speaking of boats is it a good idea to hire a boat for a snorkel at Akumal Bay
no need for a boat - just crowds the bay even more
SNorkel by the cannons will show lots of soft (fan) coral, not many fish, then head across the bay (just need to wak for boats at the boat channel between the buoys) and then go over in front of ABR
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AASB 13 Done it - AAFB in the planning
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RE: colored coral and cenotes - 10/27/2012 1:27:21 PM
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PC5
Posts: 867
Joined: 4/4/2008
From: Bishop, CA and Akumal, Q. Roo
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quote:
ORIGINAL: juan rojo
I would walk north from Playa Caribe a bit to a vacant lot about half way to the north end of the bay . There are entry paths that you will see . The bay is very shallow for quite a way out .
Snorkeling is an outdoor sport and, like skiing, you have to take the current conditions during your stay into consideration. Some days it is best to swim right out in front of Playa Caribe, other days you need to walk north to find the best entry. Just look for clear water. We often find the best ecosystems in the reef flats right at entry.
You just have to know how to get into the water without hiking over the broken coral "rocks" at the water's edge. I put on my mask and snorkel, then step into my fins at about midcalf depth and squat down before laying my body out on the surface and pushing forward. It will be shallow and you may have to walk your hands along the coral rubble until you can begin to use your fins.
Don't try to walk in with your fins on or, worse, walk backwards. Squat down, push off, and you are on your way to some fabulous snorkeling.
Here's my spouse giving a demo:
PS I would like to add a comment about the snorkeling map. The area labeled The Wading Pool is not a wading pool. It is filled with little ecosystems living in the coral rubble. Once you are in HMB, please don't touch down with your fins. Thanks!
Have a wonderful time snorkeling in HMB and say hi to the turtles and rays for me. Also, the red lipped blennies.
_____________________________
Annie
Playa Caribe #5
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RE: colored coral and cenotes - 10/30/2012 10:02:29 AM
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bmoguy
Posts: 232
Joined: 11/7/2011
From: Canada
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excellent advice from all. Feb can't come fast enuf. I will start looking for some cenotes as well. Thanks
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