Photo by bettyx1138
Akumal Bay is known for its various species of sea turtles which use the grounds for breeding, feeding and rearing their young. This provides an optimal opportunity to experience the animals in their natural habitat, including the many colorful species of fish and plant life.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are perhaps the most popular activities to pursue during a visit to Akumal, but snorkeling offers a less physical demanding and technical option. With a short instruction course and the ideal site choice, snorkeling is quite easy for even first-time novices.
One popular area for snorkeling in Akumal is the Yal-ku lagoon. This area is an extremely rare environment where fresh water coincides with salt water from the ocean. The combination of the two types of water is called a “halocline” effect.
Only very specific species can survive and prosper in this halocline lagoon, and the mixture of salt and fresh water supplies creates an altered appearance of the water itself. Many species found in this area are not found anywhere else in the world, and have been featured on many travel channel specials in recent years.
Casa Cenote is a lagoon featuring mangroves and colorful fish displays. Interested snorkelers find the fossils in Cenote at Dosojos quite interesting for a day of exploration. Many of the fossils seen at Dosojos date back to Mayan civilizations that once inhabited the area.
Snorkel lessons are always a good idea for first-timers prior to traveling to one of these sites. Although the activity is not difficult, some find that they are uncomfortable with the equipment or unsure how to best view the underwater life while safely using it.
A popular activity for locals and tourists alike is night snorkeling. Typically, a flashlight is used in conjunction with traditional snorkeling equipment for this activity.
Many species which are not seen during daylight hours can be viewed when snorkeling at night. This is typically because they are night-feeders or resting during the day.
The octopus is a perfect example of this phenomenon. Octopuses only come out to feed at nighttime, and change color when a flashlight beam is focused on them. Virtually all of the life seen at night is safe for swimmers, so night snorkeling is a family-friendly activity as well.
Plant life and some types of fish are also luminescent at night. This creates greenish lights shining either continuously or flashing after daylight hours – quite a show for someone who is only accustomed to snorkeling during the day!
