Snorkelling near the port?

[Tipsy252]

I know that there is a beach at Mahahual and a swimming pool near the cruise ship dock, but is there anywhere to snorkle near where the ship docks ? We have a morning snorkle trip booked with the ship but we also want to visit some of the bars, restaurants and shops near the pier, so were looking for a place to the pier for a last minute snorkle before we leave.

[Emsla]

I'm curious about this too, for my cruise in early Feb. 2011.

[Suebee42]

I'm also curious. Funds are really tight for us this year, and I am pregnant (15 weeks along during the cruise Feb 6-11), so something near the port and economical would be great. We have our own gear.

[Snorkel2Much]

The immediate area near the pier is iron shore and unless they've recently cut a lot of rock, there isn't a safe place for a beginner to enter/exit the water. A taxi to town is cheap, but the shore snorkeling in town can be a challenge for newbies (and experienced swimmers). I wrote some Costa Maya shore snorkel reviews 2 years ago, and as quiet as this forum is they're probably easy to locate.

 

Your best bet there is asking a local in a boat to run you out to the reef. (It's close)

[Emsla]

Thanks Snorkel2Much! (btw - is that possible?) I have family members who want to snorkle at Costa Maya, so your info is helpful.

[crewsweeper]

Ship excursions offer snorkeling and power snorkeling. They take you up north aways. Sandy entrance some ironshore. Snorkeling is probably average in terms of fish and wildlife you'll see. Not like being directly off a reef. But no sea grass and it'll be quiet and you'll be the only people on the beach.

[Snorkel2Much]

Thanks Snorkel2Much! (btw - is that possible?) I have family members who want to snorkle at Costa Maya, so your info is helpful.

The beachfront in town isn't very long, it'll be easy to spot the guys with the Pangas (small fishing boats) that can run you the short distance out to the reef for $15 or so. Have the taxi drop you at the south end of town and start walking north (back towards the ship), watching for the boats.

[Whumcruise]

Snorkeling near the pier area is not a good idea, it is very rocky and on our day, the waves were too rough to even get into the water. We went to the silver moon beach (or similar) and spent a great day with nice service. The kids were offered a snorkel tour that took them out just a quarter mile to the reef (we could see them at all times) and they had fun. We were told this is the way to go and they enjoyed it!