Cozumel, Land of the Swallows

This former sacred site of Mayan antiquity is now a thriving tourist destination, thanks in large part to its fantastic snorkling. In Cozumel, this sport is honed to a fine art, and there is a range of experiences available to beginner, intermediate, and advanced divers. You can check out some of the most astounding sites in the world, both on land on the island’s Mayan ruins, and in the sea, including the toadfish which is exclusive to this area.

An Auspicious History

Cozumel’s snorkling reputation has been hard won. The island, when found by the conquistador Herndando Cortes, was occupied by 40,000 people, many of them skilled fishermen who dove off of the island’s shores to reap the ocean’s harvest. Imagine landing a 200-lb. Black grouper big enough to feed your family for a week! Incidentally, you can still do this—snorkling in Cozumel is the headliner, but sport fishing remains very popular.

After Cortes’ conquest (helped in large part by the smallpox carried by the soldiers), the islands population dropped down to 30. Eventually, the island was repopulated largely by the descendents of the Mayans who had fled earlier. However, the island wouldn’t gain its tourist destination status until French diver Jacques Cousteau checked it out and declared it some of the best snorkeling in the world.

Weather Or Not…

Cozumel is part of Mexico’s balmy southern region, with temperatures in the daytime rarely reaching unpleasant temperatures. There is an official hurricane season, so snorkelers in Cozumel are advised to stay informed of weather conditions. However, do not let this deter you from going; the hurricane season is also an ideal time to visit because of the lowered crowds.

Staying Safe While Snorkling In Cozumel

While keeping abreast of local weather conditions is always smart for the snorkeler who wants to get the most out of Cozumel, it’s also essential that you stay within your skill level. As one of the World’s most varied of snorkeling sites, there are a variety of levels available. It is recommended that swimmers without strong skills in fast waters stay out of the waters off the north end of the island, as here the currents can be quite fierce. They also push you away from land, rather than towards, as they do in more southerly areas.

Perfect For Any Budget

While you can spend upwards of thousands of dollars a day at Cozumel’s luxurious resorts—still more reasonable than those stateside—it is possible to snorkel in Cozumel very cheaply. You can rent a boat with all the bells and whistles, or simply step into the ocean from one of the island’s many ‘put-in’s, groomed areas off the beach that make entry for snorkelers very easy. Enjoy snorkling in Cozumel and be safe!

You’re looking for a vacation spot that’s tropical, that provides you with new experiences and that gives you an opportunity to take lots of pictures that you can show the people back home to make them jealous. You’re also looking for a vacation that’s relaxing that provides lots of excitement and crystal clear beaches and waters. There is just the place for you. This year, gather up your family and take them snorkeling in Bermuda. Bermuda may seem like a long ways away but you won’t regret it. You can often find package deals that include airfare, hotel and snorkeling guided tours, all in crystal clear waters. It’s the perfect vacation for yourself or your family and you’ll be amazed at all that you’ll experience.

Isn’t It Dangerous?

If you’ve never been snorkeling in Bermuda before, or if you’ve never been snorkeling before, you may be thinking that it could be dangerous. After all, you have no idea what’s under that water. What if there are sharks, or man eating fish, or sting rays that can leave you hurt or worse? Have no fear. The best way to go snorkeling in Bermuda is to go on a guided tour. Your tour guide will show you how to use the equipment, will show you how to act if you’re ever in trouble and, the best part, your tour guide will show you where to go to see all the fascinating sights.

What You’ll See

There’s no telling what you’ll see when you go snorkeling in Bermuda. That’s the best part about snorkeling in exotic places. Even if you go two years in a row, it’s likely you’ll never see the same things twice. Under the water, it’s a completely new and living environment so it’s always changing. You’ll see various types of fish, sting rays, eels, corral, rock formations, and even some man made items, such as ship parts that have sunk to the bottom. Since the water is so clear, you’ll be amazed at the sights as you’re viewing this completely new world under the sea.

So if you’re looking for someplace new to go this year for your vacation and you’re looking for new experiences, go snorkeling in Bermuda and make sure you take lots of pictures with a water proof camera so that you can not only make the others back home jealous but you’ll also be able to preserve your vacation for years to come. That is until you return next year, which is likely what you’ll want to do once you experience snorkeling in Bermuda.

Puerto Vallarta 411

Puerto Vallarta offers a lot to any tourist, with its archeological sites, rolling beaches, and friendly people. It’s also a fantastic destination for snorkeling, with a whole world of beauty and splendor available just below the surface.

While Puerto Vallarta is in Mexico, about 50% of the city’s industry comes from tourists, so you’ll find a very hospitable atmosphere as a US traveler. Don’t worry if you don’t know Spanish. Most of the people you’ll interact with there will know both English and Spanish to ease communication woes.

The average daily high temperature is a balmy 86 °F, dipping generally to 70° F. This makes Puerto Vallarta and snorkeling perfectly matched. While winter is the most popular season to come to Puerto Vallarta, the summer months actually offer the best visibility in the water, up to 150 feet! That’s good enough to see one of Puerto Vallarta’s snorkeling prizes, the distinctive and beautiful Moorish Idol.

Boats

How are you going to get out there to do your snorkeling? Well, there are many options. There are a number of beaches at Puerto Vallarta to snorkel from, but those who want instant access to the water will want to look into renting a boat. There are a number of ways to do this. You can rent your own boat and go from there, but some people find they are more comfortable with letting other people worry about the details and embark on their snorkeling adventure with an eco-tour company.

Price

As with most other tourist activities, prices here can be all over the board. There are simple snorkeling tours at the popular destination of Los Arcos where you can get four hours of great snorkeling for around 30 dollars depending on which company you go with. This should include all your snorkeling equipment and water transportation.

For those looking for more deluxe models, you can integrate your snorkeling with an entire day of beach activities and fun, with lunch provided. These generally come in the form of Bay Cruises and can run up to $50 for a day that can include snorkeling, whale watching, and pirate-themed shows for the little ones.

Puerto Vallarta Snorkeling Highlights

By far, the most popular destinations are the Los Arcos Marine Reserve and the Las Marietas Islands eco-reserve. Los Arcos is an amazing geological formation of caves and arches flooded with fish almost any time—including at night! You may see stingrays, puffers, sharks, parrot fish…the list is nearly endless.

Las Marietas is a group of three islands proding some of the best snorkeling Puerto Vallarta has to offer. Damselfish and Angelfish are common sightings here, although there are any number of species that take shelter in the recently-named eco-reserve. A short boat ride away from any hotel in Puerto Vallarta, the snorkeling here is a definite must.