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Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/16/2013 10:20:31 AM
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bmoguy
Posts: 232
Joined: 11/7/2011
From: Canada
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I will be heading down in Feb. I have read in the forums that there is good snorkelling where the cannons are. Can someone tell me where the cannons are? Is the snorkelling good there?
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/16/2013 10:27:17 AM
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SchnauzerDog
Posts: 6354
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Facing the ocean, they are located near the left shore about halfway out to the reef. Snorkeling is very good there. There is a small beach on that end with great water entry.
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/16/2013 10:39:26 AM
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bmoguy
Posts: 232
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From: Canada
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that was fast - thanks for the info. I will definitely try that. How about the south end near ABR? When I was there last year I basically stuck in front of the building where the web cam was and a little left. I want to explore a bit more. I will go early to avoid the day snorkellers. It does get hectic when they invade the beach.
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/16/2013 11:09:04 AM
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SchnauzerDog
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I like to go in by that little beach by the cannons... swim out towards the reef then drift/swim towards ABR, getting out of the water there. That way you're going with the current somewhat. Not much of a current in the bay but it's noticeable when you swim against it. the area in front of the web cam is mostly sandy... you'll see turtles but not much more. Lots in front of ABR but don't go too far south cause it's ironshore and rougher water in front of building 6 and 7 and tough to get out of the water.
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/16/2013 3:32:59 PM
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uphillklimber
Posts: 5531
Joined: 2/17/2005
From: Bryant Pond, Maine
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You have to pay attention, because at first they look like logs under water, then it dawns on you! Cannons!!!!
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/16/2013 3:47:24 PM
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juan rojo
Posts: 691
Joined: 12/13/2010
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At New Years 2013 just south from the submerged cannons or toward LolHa , but no farther east or out to sea , there was a yellow boat moored semi permanently in four feet of water . sorry I forget the name . Just ahead of this boat there is a fairly regularly shaped oval of rock or old coral that fairly uniformly rises a foot or so out of a Turtle grass surrounding area . There are two or three of these similar formations , rising up like small submerged , flat top islands from the grass . The one in question is just ahead of where the forward anchor rope of the yellow boat is secured . We have passed by here 25 times at least .
I encountered a very large , three to four foot , lime green Moray Eel , about as round as a softball , just at this spot . Luckily I saw him from a good distance away , as he was free swimming , and I could watch him from a safe distance , which I did for a spell , no camera of course . He disappeared around the oval only to reappear a few seconds later and swam toward the boat and myself , somewhat . I looked around for a route to swim in order not to crowd the big fella and when I turned back very quickly he had disappeared for good in the rocks that help anchor the yellow boat . Rest assured that I did a full 360 to make sure he was gone ! This was a very cool experience but one that included an escape plan , just the same . We love to snorkel the route that Shnauzer describes and we will do it many more times , the gods wiiling , but I will keep this close encounter in mind while sticking my face into hidey holes out there . He did do some jaw snapping , while looking directly at me , that Wikipedia and the nature channel can explain as natural and non threatening but the receiver is the best one to interpret any threat and extra caution seemed wise to me . I think that I read elsewhere about this same location and someone's similar sighting . Wikipedia also states that ," Most attacks stem from disruption of a moray's burrow , to which they do react strongly ". So look for this guy but not really closely and enjoy the bay .
Looking toward the reef from the cannons , there is often a large catamaran moored , holding a baracuda or large grouper hiding in it's shade . The shade of smaller boats can also be useful in the same way . Cheers and enjoy .
< Message edited by juan rojo -- 1/16/2013 3:51:05 PM >
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/16/2013 9:23:53 PM
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GlennAP
Posts: 242
Joined: 8/16/2004
From: Vernon, BC Canada
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Hey BMOguy,
I had always thought these cannons were just a fake tourist deal (like their namesakes on the shore above!) but when we spent some time examining them closely on our last trip it turns out they are real and there is even some vague info in town about a small Spanish ship that went down in the 1700s. Hard to imagine how the guns ended up where they are mind you unless these unlucky guys got blown straight in thru the gap and hit the shoreline coral...entirely possible! Being a bit of a naval history fan I noted that there are two types of guns there: 4 or 5 like this one:
Theis is a standard "12 pounder" ie they fired a 12 pound cannonball from the main or gun deck. These are 7 or 9 feet long and I think there are both lengths.A good crew on a 12 pounder could fire 3 rounds a minute
And a much shorter one like this:
This is a carronade which was designed to fire when the enemy was very close at hand and were mounted on the quarter deck. Both devastating weapons of their time (c. 1750 - 1850). The carronade is the first one I saw as it is layong on top of an old coral formation.
In the bay you see only the barrels, no carriage or wheels. There is sometimes a big green moray around the cannons and some say he lives inside one!!
I will try to find the pics we took so you can see what you are looking for.
Happy exploring...these are a cool thing to discover on your snorkeling forays.
Glenn
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/16/2013 9:25:05 PM
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GlennAP
Posts: 242
Joined: 8/16/2004
From: Vernon, BC Canada
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sorry pics didn't hold will try again.
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/17/2013 8:12:53 AM
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Jamie
Posts: 2548
Joined: 3/10/2005
From: Southern California
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Hey GlennAP,
If you have not already been, you should check out the CEDAM museum in Puerto Aventuras, it is small so does not take much time, and donations are requested. Lots of good stuff from the Matanceros (name of the boat that sank) and the early founding of Akumal, etc. Just be aware it is closed for an hour or two in the early afternoon, as we found out after visiting there after a lunch at the old Gringo Dave's.
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/17/2013 10:42:05 AM
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vintagefxr
Posts: 12
Joined: 9/29/2009
From: Channahon,IL
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If you want more info on where the cannons cam from just search "Wreck of the Matanceros" in Loco Gringo's search line
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/17/2013 7:35:19 PM
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Jazzsmith10
Posts: 95
Joined: 1/1/2013
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Thanks so much for posting the great pics!
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/17/2013 8:35:16 PM
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rucruizin
Posts: 1963
Joined: 1/7/2010
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If you are looking at the shore, from the water. The cannon, farthest left... it's not there. The cannons are DIRECTLY in front of the palm tree, just to the left of the farthest, left cannon. About the same distance out as the blue boat, haha...
This may not make sense now, but it will, when you get there 
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3779876855839.2141422.1244441640&type=3&l=0324a5fb83
If you look for the picture on this link, it shows the cannons on the shore, and the blue and white boat, more light aqua, than blue, or light blue. That's the boat, about that distance out, directly in front of the small palm, left of the first cannon. BAM!
< Message edited by rucruizin -- 1/17/2013 9:05:34 PM >
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It becomes, what you make it.
Make it spectacular!
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/18/2013 5:22:36 AM
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coralfan50
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Joined: 12/4/2008
From: Northern Minnesota
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Perfect timing on seeing this info. I have tried in the past to locate these in the water but have not seen them yet. With this info I plan to search again on this trip. There in 9 days. Can't wait.
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/18/2013 7:01:51 AM
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Cabin Boy
Posts: 1992
Joined: 11/6/2008
From: A place that GPS does not work
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RU.... That blue stripe boat is called the "Evanglin" or something close to that.
Have fun finding them.
CB
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We do the best we can with what we have,
and the rest we just wing.
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/18/2013 9:02:29 PM
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rucruizin
Posts: 1963
Joined: 1/7/2010
Status: offline
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Thanks CB.
When we were at ABR, I heard a guy talking to people at the moonrise, asking if they knew how to find the cannons. I gave him my instructions, and then he took off. I saw him later that night, and he was stoked. He said he went right to them, with the insturction I gave.
quote:
ORIGINAL: Cabin Boy
RU.... That blue stripe boat is called the "Evanglin" or something close to that.
Have fun finding them.
CB
_____________________________
It is, what it is.
It becomes, what you make it.
Make it spectacular!
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RE: Cannons in Akumal Bay - 1/19/2013 11:42:06 PM
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GlennAP
Posts: 242
Joined: 8/16/2004
From: Vernon, BC Canada
Status: offline
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OK I admit I was wrong about the shore cannons not being real...from the water side they look way too small to be real and the "carriages" are just stone blocks but I now see they are just very weathered and rusted out compared to the ones in the water which are amazingly well preserved I think.
Jamie thanks for the tip about the CEDAM museum in PA...somehow missed that when we were there a few years ago...must do it next visit.
I like to spend half my weekend figuring out confusing techo mumbo jumbo (not!) but for fun I am still trying to figure out how to post some pics of what these cannons would have looked like prior to their unhappy swim off the Matanceros.
Stay tuned!
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