Snorkeling at Costa Maya - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

canarymoon · 05-29-2009, 09:03 AM

When you arrive at Costa Maya, you can easily find snorkeling opportunities with private tour operators right there at the pier complex.

There's a booth there in the shopping area where you can book various tours on the spot, ncluding snorkeling. You'll then be taken by taxi to the little fishing village of Majahual, where you will most likely find that the boat you'll go out in is small. But, the small boat will be sufficient, considering most of these excursions take you to a reef that is very close in to shore.

It's not unusual for the water to be quite choppy in this area, but it's quite manageable, unless you are a dog paddle type swimmer. If so, I'd recommend just doing a beach day. (There's plelnty of places to laze in and around shallow water at Costa Maya and Majahual.)

The snorkel excursions here tend to be on the affordable side when you buy them on the spot, around $35 or so, as I recall.

canarymoon · 05-29-2009, 09:10 AM

If you want something a little nicer, you can get it for around $50.00 pp. Now,, this is NOT a recommendation for this particular tour operator.. just letting everyone know about an alternative I found, but have not yet had the opportunity to try. It's a 'private' snorkel trip for 4 to 6, and will run you around $40-50 PP. Here's a bit of information foro their website:

Costa Maya Coral Reef Snorkeling Fishing by Private Boat for Cruise Ship Passengers

The Private Snorkeling tour departs from our beautiful Beach Break Resort located just a few minutes south of the busy cruise ship town of Mahahual. Our tour takes you away from it all to one of the best snorkeling areas along the Costa Maya reef where you will see an abundance of tropical fish and the best coral formations on the coast.

This fantastic excursion will take
you to pristine reefs

A quick 20-30 minute journey by boat will transport you to the snorkeling site, a pristine coral reef that boasts spectacular Elk Coral, schools of brightly colored Blue Tangs and a multitude of species of tropical fish. Spotted Eagle Rays, stingrays and sea turtles often frequent this site so keep your eyes open!
Following your snorkeling adventure you will have the choice to either fish in the abundant waters of Costa Maya or enjoy a deserted beaches exploration tour, the choice is yours.

canarymoon · 05-29-2009, 09:16 AM

The above cited website also says this:

PLEASE NOTE:You will find snorkeling trips offer in Costa Maya for as little as $35usd pp. The cheaper trips will take you to a nearby reef (5 minutes from the beach) on the mouth of the main entrance channel. The water is mostly rough with outward, swift, moving currents. The cheaper trips are only 45min beach to beach.

Having used the $35 operators at Costa Maya a couple of times myself, I can tell you that what they say about the water conditions and reef location is pretty accurate, though I found that one of the operators I used stayed out a bit longer than the other one.

mechcc · 10-13-2009, 09:44 PM

Thank you for the information as we are trying to figure out what to do when we are there in Feb.

wandering writer · 10-15-2009, 09:19 AM

We did a scuba dive and left in a small boat from the beach. Yes, the water was rough. For a diver that's not too bad until you are ready to get back in the boat.

canarymoon · 10-20-2009, 03:33 PM

Yep . . . as I ssaid, and would like to emphasize: If it's a 'rough water day,' you will be more comfortable if you are an actual swimmer, rather than someone who just knows how to keep your head above calm waters.