Water, Water, Everywhere!

I was told if you dig deep enough anywhere in Riviera Maya, you will hit water.  I can see why as there are nearly 100 miles of beautiful white-sand beaches with brilliant turquoise colored water located just south of Cancun. This world-renowned paradise offers a multitude of opportunities for water sport enthusiasts. 

Scuba diving is a major pastime for visitors and residents alike in the region. Mayan Riviera's city of Playa del Carmen is known throughout the scuba diving community as a dive spot conducive to abundant wildlife, clear visibility and a strong network of dive shops. The city's dive shops offer rentals and initial certification, which can be accomplished in three to four days.

A ride up route 307, the main route going from Cancun to Tulum (and beyond), demonstrates the abundant locations for snorkeling as you will see signs depicting the sport all along the ride.  Of particular note is the Yal-Ku lagoon in Akumal.  Snorkeling there is like being in an aquarium.  The region boasts the world’s second largest coral reef, so there is no shortage of snorkeling opportunities here. 

What’s so great about summer here? Besides being off season with less visitors and lower prices, there are two very specific reasons to visit: turtle nesting and hatching, which can be experienced from May to October, including swims with the turtles, and whale shark viewing/swimming, which occurs mainly from July to September.

The largest fish on earth, whale sharks are not whales but rather sharks, though they live on plankton and are the only member of their unique genus. Their lifespans are about 70 years and they can reach more than 40 feet in length and 20 tons in weight. They are docile and swimming with them is a popular bucket list item for divers and snorkelers, which you can do in only a handful of places around the world, including the Riviera Maya.

Swimming with the graceful sea turtles is nothing to sneeze at either.  I must admit, the first time I did it, one of the turtles suddenly changed his direction and started heading straight towards me.  My first thought was, “do sea turtles have teeth?”  I have since learned they do not, they have beaks with bony ridges that help them break through tougher plant material.  Still not sure I want one to mistake me for seaweed.  

 If windsurfing and/or kite-surfing are something you enjoy, the Mayan Riviera boasts prime sailing conditions with a steady wind, a heavy surf break and shops that cater to these sports. Winds generally blow between 15 and 20 knots January and February and 12 to 18 the rest of the season.  Not a day goes by that I do not see someone on a kayak gingerly rowing up the lagoon behind our condo.  Kayaking and paddleboarding are both popular pastimes here. 

In the mood for adventure? You can take your pick of underground cenotes (pronounced “say no tays), take a day cruise on a chartered catamaran, or try your luck at deep-sea fishing. The list really goes on and on.

If none of the above sounds exciting to you, then just grab a drink by the pool, or park yourself under a palapa at the beach, and make that your adventure for the day.  This is a sport I frequently enjoy!