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Half Moon Bay - 1/16/2013 2:58:42 PM

dunibug

Posts: 6
Joined: 9/11/2012
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Heading to HMB in 3 weeks and 2 days. Wondering if the current condition of the beach - is it washed away? garbage? windy?

I've also read mixed reviews on snorkeling there - some great and others not so great.

If anyone has recently been there, please give a shout out. Thanks.

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RE: Half Moon Bay - 1/16/2013 5:29:14 PM

2BVI

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Joined: 5/17/2008
From: Bayfield, WI
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Garbage? Never in all the times I have been there.

Wind? Usually, some days stronger than others.

Snorkeling? Some say its great and I personally have mixed reviews. Its a very shallow entry, wear flippers or water shoes, and always be aware of strong rip currents further out. Don't forget to wear a life jacket or life vest.

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RE: Half Moon Bay - 1/16/2013 8:28:17 PM

PC5

Posts: 867
Joined: 4/4/2008
From: Bishop, CA and Akumal, Q. Roo
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This is Half Moon Bay.

Snorkeling is great.

Have a great trip.

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Annie
Playa Caribe #5

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RE: Half Moon Bay - 1/17/2013 12:01:40 AM

LocoDuk

Posts: 271
Joined: 1/10/2012
From: St.Albert, Alberta, Canada
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I was there in December for 4 nites at Vista Del Mar. Was awesome. Beach is great. Wind? Some. Was sunny for the better part while I was there. Snorkelling was ok. Not Akumal bay but was fine. No crowds so it was awesome, Had area to myself.

And Akumal Bay is within a good walk if you want that spot too.

Never saw garbage. Was nice, A guy came each morning and raked the beach where I was to make the sand look all smooth.
Saw some garbage right by abandoned house for sale in middle of the bay, nothing major though.

Cheers!

Doug

< Message edited by LocoDuk -- 1/17/2013 12:02:14 AM >

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RE: Half Moon Bay - 1/17/2013 6:39:23 AM

SnorkelHound

Posts: 96
Joined: 1/18/2008
From: Rochester, MN
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Here is a link to previous discussions on HMB and a nice map that outlines the different areas for snorkeling.

http://forums.locogringo.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1058696&mpage=1&key=snorkel%2Cmap%2Chalf%2Cmoon%2Cbay􂞈

I have had some very good snorkeling experiences there on HMB. We usually stay at HMB and will snorkel there if it is not windy. Otherwise we head over to Akumal. I usually head straight out from Playa Caribe to the 'deep' ( see map for different areas) section and then head north to 'the coral islands'. Very nice coral and lots of fish etc. to see. Overall great snorkeling when it is not windy. Hope this helps.

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RE: Half Moon Bay - 1/17/2013 6:50:23 AM

crunch

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Joined: 2/23/2005
From: Dreaming of my next vacation to paradise......
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Hallnass usually does a pretty good job removing any garbage as do all the maintenance people from the condos. I have never seen much.

HMB is a more technically challenging snorkel. Rocky entry, but you see a lot more healthy coral wise than other places along with all the fish and turtles and stuff. However, there is a rip current in the back to watch out for. Also there are places that can be very shallow that you need to snorkel around rather than over.

On a very windy day it is best avoided as that really can make it difficult. All that said it is totally worth the effort if you are a decent swimmer/snorkeler as you will see some gorgeous stuff you will never see in Akumal Bay which is a much easier snorkel.

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RE: Half Moon Bay - 1/17/2013 12:06:49 PM

el gran chico

Posts: 355
Joined: 10/21/2005
From: Toronto, ON CANADA
Status: offline

quote:

Garbage? Never in all the times I have been there.

Not on the land, but in the water. Just about everytime I've been there (and that's nearing double digits now

) I've been pulling out plastic bags, plastic water bottles, plastic 6-pack rings, etc.

Last year we went during the Sargassum invasion, so it's got no where to go but up for us this year.

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RE: Half Moon Bay - 1/17/2013 5:37:36 PM

FinsUP

Posts: 6896
Joined: 1/16/2008
From: Oakville, ON ...we have squirrels here!!!
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We've spent the past 3 or 4 years on HMB for the month of February. Most times it's pretty windy, the odd time it's calm in Feb *but it is the windy time of year.

NEVER garbage - don't know where you would have heard that. If you see the odd plastic bottle washed up, don't walk by, pick it up!

Snorkeling is good if you know where you're going. I still prefer Akumal Bay.

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RE: Half Moon Bay - 1/17/2013 7:58:29 PM

PC5

Posts: 867
Joined: 4/4/2008
From: Bishop, CA and Akumal, Q. Roo
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I think you are asking about marine debris. Unfortunately, marine debris is a problem everywhere the ocean meets the shore. Just as the tsunami debris has crossed the ocean from Japan to the west coast of the US, plastics and other debris float into the Caribbean from Venezuela and other points south.

We take nice shore walks with garbage bags to pick up marine debris. You may want to pick some up yourself during your visit. Every little bit helps.

You may find this article interesting.

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Annie
Playa Caribe #5

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RE: Half Moon Bay - 1/29/2013 8:19:31 PM

PC5

Posts: 867
Joined: 4/4/2008
From: Bishop, CA and Akumal, Q. Roo
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What happens to plastic in the ocean? Click here if you are interested.

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Annie
Playa Caribe #5

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RE: Half Moon Bay - 1/30/2013 9:55:09 AM

panesh

Posts: 1470
Joined: 11/27/2009
From: San Rafael, CA
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We're going back for a few weeks in April this year. Been there in Jan, Feb, Sept, Oct. Love HMB
Like Annie says, If you see any debris, pick it up. The beach is beautiful. Remember is you are snorkling in HMB get horizontal as soon as possible since there are coral formations close to shore and do not stand on anything in the bay. Most days you may be the only people in the water. The crowds go to Akumal Bay. Have a great time!
Superbowl Sunday 2012

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RE: Half Moon Bay - 1/30/2013 10:59:20 AM

AKUMALATION

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We have stayed at HMB the last two years, the beach is great and the snorkling is very fine. We snorkle on average twice a day and it is wind dependent.

lots of wind and heavy seas I snorkle at Yalku Lagoon.
Calm day I will snorkel Akumal in the AM and HMB in the afternoon.
If I cant snorkle in HMB i may do Akumal twice a day or Yalku lagoon or take a snokle trip to a cenote.

I am sure you will enjoy the whole area. Have a great holiday

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RE: Half Moon Bay - 1/30/2013 12:02:33 PM

Bosco

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From: Another day..another seedy hotel
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duni...please bring a couple trash bags and walk the beach. Great exercise and you'll get to enjoy a nice clean beach.

To be honest, I saw a lot of plastic trash littering the beach there last week. Not picking on HMB either. Every bay I visited had plastic trash.

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