Tag Archives: Cozumel

Diver Coral
Bonaire, Caribbean, Central America, Cozumel, Islands, Maldives, Mexico, Oceania, Plan, Seychelles, St. Lucia, Tahiti, Thailand

Saving Coral Reefs

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Diving or snorkeling on a coral reef is a magical experience. It’s unfortunate that reefs in many parts of the world now face threats from human impact, but there is hope. Governments around the world continue to establish and expand marine preserves that protect coral reefs. And there’s a growing movement to move beyond mere protection and focus on restoration.

Currently, there are more than 100 international organizations dedicated to rebuilding coral reefs, and the leading method is the replanting of corals. Much like tree saplings, small fragments of living coral can be nurtured in a controlled environment, then replanted in the wild to revitalize natural reefs. This is a labor- intensive process, and many of these programs rely on volunteers to do the planting. If you are a diver or snorkeler who wants to get involved in coral reef conservation, here are nine resort destinations where you can make a difference during your vacation.

Four Seasons Bora Bora

The island of Bora Bora is surrounded by one of the world’s most scenic lagoons, and the Four Seasons Resort plans to keep it that way. Set within the lush landscaping of this premier property is the Sanctuary, a sheltered body of water that’s home to a marine research station and a coral nursery. The guests of the resort are invited to snorkel in this natural aquarium to witness or participate in ongoing coral seeding and planting work. During a half-day immersion session, participants learn how to harvest and graft corals into donut-shaped rings. These structures will later be placed in open water to form new reefs and disperse millions of coral spawn to help ensure Bora Bora’s reefs remain spectacular. For more info: https://www.fourseasons.com/borabora/

Bora Bora

Coral fragments planted by divers at the Four Seasons Bora Bora Resort are thriving and continue to grow and provide habitats for fish and other marine life. Photo: Four Seasons

Buddy Dive Resort, Bonaire

Bonaire has some of the healthiest coral reefs in the Caribbean, thanks to decades of protection. But even healthy and well- protected coral colonies can benefit from an infusion of new growth, and that’s the mission of Reef Renewal Foundation Bonaire and Buddy Dive Resort. The resort offers a range of coral replanting programs ranging from an afternoon session to a full week of volunteering. A Reef Renewal dive takes place on the nursery located in a shallow section of Buddy’s Reef, right in front of the resort dock. Participants learn the basics of assessing nursery health and tending to the corals. Full-day programs have divers helping foundation staff with nursery maintenance and out-plantings at a number of different sites. Buddy Dive also offers a Reef Renewal Week Package that includes 12 dives devoted to foundation activities. For more info: https://buddydive.com/

Bonaire

Newly planted staghorn corals in Buddy Dive’s coral nursery will grow into dense clusters that support a wide variety of marine life. Photo: Buddy Dive

Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort

The Ozone – AKA Outrigger Zone – is this upscale resort group’s conservation initiative to protect coral reefs through awareness and restoration. At Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Castaway Island, guests are encouraged to visit on-site coral nurseries and learn what can be done to protect the world’s coral reefs. Anyone who wants to take it one step further is encouraged to join the resort’s dive team and resident marine biologist in an ongoing replanting program. These programs include the creation and deployment of unique “fish houses” made from cultivated coral fragments. When placed in local waters, these structures transform into new marine life habitats as the corals continue to grow. Both snorkelers and divers can view the coral nursery and take part in the replanting program. For details: https://www.outrigger.com/fiji/fiji-beach- resort

Fiji

A collection of new corals is readied for placement on one of the fish house formations at Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort. Photo: Outrigger Fiji

Sandals Resorts, St. Lucia

Protecting and restoring the coral reefs in the Soufriere Marine Managed Area in St. Lucia is a project headed by CLEAR Caribbean in collaboration with the Sandals Foundation. As part of the project local communities and schools are engaged and educated on the value of reefs. While guests at Sandals may enjoy windsurfing and wakeboarding as part of the activities now scuba divers can add one more endeavor to the list by learning the art of coral planting. This activity is available to certified divers staying at any one of the island’s three Sandals properties – The Grande St. Lucian, Halcyon Beach, and Regency La Toc. The program begins with land and in- water practice sessions that culminate in a special dive trip where participants will attach corals to new reefs. Once these new corals are established, they provide shelter for fish and lobsters, along with coastal protection from storms and swells. For more info: https://sandalsfoundation.org/environment-project-coral- restortation https://www.clearcaribbean.org/

St. Lucia

At the Sandals St. Lucia coral nursery volunteer divers can help transplant newly grown coral fragments to area reefs. Photo: Sandals

Anantara Dhigu, Maldives

Anantara’s Dhigu resort sits on a stunning private island ringed by white-sand beaches and colorful coral gardens. To ensure the future health of these sites, guests are encouraged to adopt a rope. This program, which was launched more than a decade ago, embeds coral fragments onto ropes that are then positioned to provide optimum sunlight and water quality. Guests can adopt a rope by donating, while those who want to get hands-on can participate in attaching corals to their rope with the help of a resident marine biologist. As the rope transforms into a living piece of reef, it will be moved to the resort’s snorkel trail and other area reefs. Along the way, the nursery staff provides updates and photos so participants can witness the results of their work. For details: https://www.anantara.com/en/dhigu-maldives

Maldives

At Anantara’s Dhigu resort, a diver checks the status of corals planted on a new snorkel trail. Photo: Anantara Dhigu

Four Seasons Seychelles

This premier Four Seasons property created the Petite Anse Reef Restoration Project to protect and nurture corals. A key element of the program uses divers to collect pieces of broken coral damaged by natural events such as wave action. These rescued corals are placed in the resort’s coral nursery for later replanting, and in the first two years of the program, more than 16,000 coral fragments were replanted on the reef. A unique element of the program is known as the Love Grows Beautiful Things experience, which gives couples a chance to use rescued corals to create a heart-shaped coral formation that will be placed on the reef. For info: https://www.fourseasons.com/seychelles/

Seychelles

At the Four Seasons Seychelles, coral fragments are placed on frames that will allow them to grow into heart-shaped formations. Photo: Four Seasons Seychelles

Xbalanque, Roatan

The Roatan Marine Park is always looking for volunteers to help keep the island’s coral reefs healthy. You don’t have to be a diver to participate in the various educational and outreach programs at the foundation’s coral nursery. Divers can take their experience to the next level with a Coral Restoration Certification Course to learn the skills needed to participate in coral restoration. Once qualified, divers can become coral farmers for a day. Those with a true passion for the reefs can take the next step with a longer-term internship program. The foundation works with a number of local hotels and resorts, and a favorite with vacationing divers is the Xbalanque, which is a luxury boutique property located within easy walking distance of Marine Park headquarters. For info: https://www.xbalanqueresort.com/

Roatan

Divers surface after relocating corals to a reef in the Roatan Marine Park. Photo: Roatan Marine Park

El Cid La Cieba, Cozumel

In 2023 the Cozumel Reef Restoration Program will mark its tenth year of research and action to protect and restore coral reefs in the waters of this favorite Mexican scuba diving destination. Founder Dr. German Mendez remains hands-on with both educational programs and volunteer diving activities. A unique aspect of this restoration project is the use of underwater platforms that become recovery stations for damaged corals. Volunteer divers help by scouring the seabed for coral fragments, which are then placed on the platforms and allowed to grow until they are large enough for replacement on the reefs. One to five-day programs are offered by the foundation, which is based at the El Cid La Ceiba Beach Hotel. For info: https://www.elcid.com/cozumel/el-cid-la-ceiba-beach- hotel/

Cozumel

Divers attach rescued coral fragments to a concrete platform as part of the Cozumel Reef Restoration Program. Photo: Cozumel Reef Restoration

Zeavola, Thailand

Set on a scenic beach at the northern tip of Koh Phi Phi Island, Zeavola is one of Thailand’s leading Five Star PADI dive resorts. The resort combines luxury accommodations with diving adventures that offer an opportunity for guests to get involved and make a difference in the marine environment. The volunteer program begins with instruction and practice on the methods used to reconstruct and replant coral structures. These skills are then put to work during dive trips that restore corals in the surrounding waters. Non-divers can also help, as the resort schedules regular snorkel excursions that remove fishing gear and plastic debris from the reefs to prevent corals from suffocating. For more info: https://www.zeavola.com/

Thai Phi Phi

A free diver participates in a coral reef cleaning session at Thailand’s Zeavola resort. Photo: Zeavola

Cozumel Benito Fountain
Cozumel, Mexico, Plan, Trip Ideas

Just Back from Cozumel

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Some three decades after my trip to Cozumel, I was back for the umpteenth visit – but for the first time in nearly five years. I knew there would be changes and new development, but hoped that the island still retained its laid-back, small town vibe. Like many Caribbean destinations, Cozumel has become a major stop on the cruise ship circuit, and there are occasions when six or more of the big ships arrive at the same time to disgorge up to 10,000 day-trippers.

To really experience all the island has to offer, you need to stay a while. Some longer-term visitors escape to one of the upscale resorts that lie well south of the town of San Miguel. These properties become oases of leisure that cloister guests in a wealth of all-inclusive indulgences and diversions, but they also remove you from the local essence of the destination.

A Downtown Palace

Rather than head south, I checked in to the Cozumel Palace. This downtown landmark was originally known as the Hotel Plaza Las Glorias. After it was acquired by the Palace hotel group, it underwent a full renovation that transformed this 176-room property into an all-suite hotel with luxury touches such as two-person Jacuzzi whirlpools, a full-service spa, two infinity-edge pools and four specialty restaurants. Dollar for dollar, the Plaza represents one of the best values on the island. Like many Cozumel resorts, the Palace offers an all-inclusive rate plan that covers all meals. But don’t think warming trays and buffet lines, because the Plaza’s culinary team takes things to the next level, and no matter which of the resort’s dining venues you opt for, you’ll enjoy cuisines that are a level above the expected.

Cozumel Palace

The landmark downtown hotel now known as the Cozumel Palace has been upgraded and transformed into one of the island’s more luxurious options. Photo: Ione Ascanio Green/Cozumel Palace

Beyond the waterfront

Another reason for staying at Plaza was its walking distance location to downtown San Miguel. When you walk the waterfront, you may think there’s nothing more to this town than timeshare kiosks and duty-free shops. But as you explore a few streets inland, you’ll begin to discover a variety of eclectic and low-key shops that don’t just serve the cruise ship crowd. Cozumel is Mexico’s equivalent of Key West, and it has long attracted artists and artisans from all parts of Mexico. One of the best known is Galo Ramirez. Though originally from Mexico City, Galo has been a fixture of the Cozumel art scene for more than 25 years. His work in acrylics, charcoals, and oils often depicts subjects such as jazz musicians or island scenes, and he is also an accomplished sculptor. He and his equally talented wife Niurka live and work at their studio on 25th Avenue, where he welcomes all who drop in.

Cozumel Art Gallery

Galo and Niurka Ramirez pose in front of their namesake gallery on San Miguel’s 25th Avenue. Galo is the best-known member of Cozumel’s thriving artist community. Photo: Pierce Hoover

Dine Around

There are a number of charming local eateries to be discovered when wandering the back streets of San Miguel. As you might expect, there are quite a few that serve traditional Mexican dishes and regional cuisines, and two worth checking out are and Diegos and Pescadaria San Carlos. When looking for a change from the usual regional fare, my favorite find is La Cocay on Calle Ocho Norte. Slightly upscale but completely unpretentious, this local favorite serves a savory Mediterranean menu, accompanied by a respectable wine list and live music on certain nights. Closer to the central square, the corner bistro known as Le Chef is famous for it’s fish burgers and lobster/bacon sandwiches, while a stroll to the south side will bring you to Chocolateria Isla Bella. This family-run confectionary creates fresh and tempting chocolate creations each day.

La Cocay Cozumel

Locals and in-the-know visitors to Cozumel tend to avoid the waterfront restaurants in favor of venues such as La Cocay, which is located a few blocks inland. Photo: Pierce Hoover

The Return of the Locals

One of the more charming aspects of life on Cozumel has always been the evening activity around the central waterfront square. As night falls and the cruise ships depart, the town folk would gather on the square, often to the accompaniment of a band playing in the landmark gazebo. In 2016, the square was given a major facelift, which included the removal of the old bandstand in favor of a larger stage. Some decried these changes as the end of an era. An evening stroll from the Cozumel Palace revealed that this wasn’t the case. Families, young couples and old friends could all be found taking in the night air, and children were playing in the square’s latest addition, which is a lighted display of dancing water fountains. Similar activity was taking place at Quintana Roo Park, which is adjacent to the Municipal Palace. Here, parents and grand parents bring youngsters for a lively scene includes food carts, vendors, face painting booths and nightly concerts.

Cozumel Park

The clock tower is one of the enduring landmarks on Cozumel’s central plaza. At night, this area becomes a gathering point for locals, and often features live music. Photo: Pierce Hoover

Life’s a Beach

Though the Cozumel Palace is a waterfront hotel, like many similar properties located on the island’s north and central coast, it lacks a true beach. Cozumel’s best beaches lie several miles to the south. Some stretches of sand are accessible only to guests of the cloistered resorts scattered along this coast, but others are the sites of beach clubs. These venues cater to daytime visitors, with amenities that go beyond beach chairs and restrooms to include full-service bars and dining, water sports and entertainment. The key to a good day at a beach club is avoiding the crowds that taxi down from the cruise ship docks. To maintain personal space on the sand, some clubs limit the number of guests admitted. This is the case of what I consider the island’s current best club, which is known as Nachi Cocom. This waterfront day park sits on the north end of San Francisco Beach, flanked by jungle on each side, and facing the snorkel and dive sites of famed Palancar Reef. Daily capacity is limited to just 130 guests, who enjoy water sports, beach massage and a four-course lunch.

Nachi Cocom Beach Cozumel

A select number of beach clubs such as Nachi Cocom are scattered across the island’s southwest coast. This area combines calm water with some of the island’s best sand beaches. Photo: Nachi Cocom

In the Water

It was scuba divers who first put Cozumel on the travel map. Beginning in the 1970s, the first wave of traveling divers returned from the island with stories of tall coral reefs covered in rich growths of multi-hued sea fans and sponges. By the late 90s, Cozumel had grown into one of the most popular diving destinations in the Caribbean, with more than 90 individual dive operators on the island. Too often, this sort of popularity can spoil the very things that make a place special. Not so with Cozumel’s reefs. Thanks to decades of protection within a marine park, and a constant flow of nourishing oceanic water, the reefs are in excellent health, and rich with fish life.

Cozumel Dive Wreck

The shipwreck known as the Felipe Xicoténcatl is a former Mexican naval destroyer that was sunk intentionally as a fish haven and attraction for scuba divers. Photo: Walt Stearns

I never miss a chance to dive and snorkel when on Cozumel, and on this latest visit, I started with an exploration of the island’s signature shipwreck, the Felipe Xicoténcatl, which is now home to a very large moray eel. The following morning, I boarded the Aqua Safari boat for a longer trip to the southern reefs. The most famous of these is Palancar, where a wall-like line of coral formations rise two stories above the sand, and are riddled with a maze-like network of canyons and tunnels. After the dive, we moved closer to shore to join the fleet of snorkel boats that visit sites in the National Coral Reef Marine Park.

Cozumel Occidental
Cozumel, Mexico, Stay, Trip Ideas

All-Inclusive Beachfront Resorts in Cozumel

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Over the years, the island of Cozumel has morphed from a low-key scuba diving destination into a major cruise ship port, often hosting up to a half- dozen of the big ships each day. But once you escape the shore leave crowds, time-share hustlers and gift shop clutter of downtown San Miguel, there’s still much to like. Savvy travelers head south, and check in to one of the beachfront all-inclusives scattered along Cozumel’s southwestern shore. Not only do these resorts provide privacy and space, they are also sitting on the island’s best beaches, and overlook prime diving and snorkeling reefs. Here are three top picks down south.

Natural Attractions

If you are seeking a more private and natural setting for a beach vacation, the Occidental Cozumel is the place to be. This upper-end property is the southernmost resort in Cozumel, and it is tucked into the wooded grounds of a nature preserve. Here, a collection of hacienda-style buildings with red tile roofs are set in beautifully landscaped grounds that include fountains, courtyards and flower-lined pathways. Guest rooms are large and comfortable, decorated in bright colors that create a cheerful and welcoming atmosphere. The resort attracts both families and couples, and offers all-suite options at the Royal Club for those seeking a bit more space to spread out or keep everyone together. There are dedicated facilities and activities for children, including a dedicated youth pool. Overall, however, the vibe remains low-key, and the atmosphere will please adults looking for a relaxed getaway.

Cozumel Occidental Exterior

A cheerful courtyard at the Occidental Cozumel is typical of the resort’s setting, which places the emphasis on quiet relaxation and the beauty of the natural surroundings. Photo: Occidental

While rooms are set back from the beach in the garden-like grounds, the main pool deck sits on the edge of the beach, offering ocean views and easy access to the white sand beach. The all-inclusive plan includes a range of water sports such as kayaking, sailing and snorkeling, and guests have access to a spa, gym, beach club and six restaurants. A favorite dining option is the beachside terrace, where evening meals are accompanied by sunset views. Nightly entertainment programs are over before ten o’clock, leaving time for guests to enjoy the sounds of the forest as they fall asleep. There is also a dance club for those seeking an extra helping of nightlife, but the music doesn’t intrude into the rooms, or disrupt the tranquility of the setting.

Occidental Cozumel Pool

The pool at the Occidental Cozumel resort overlooks a white sand beach. The island’s best coral reefs are just offshore, and can be enjoyed by divers and snorkelers. Photo: Occidental

Just for Two

If you are looking to score points with your significant other by creating a romantic getaway, Secrets Aura is the resort of choice. This adults-only, all- suite resort edges into the five-star category, with upscale touches such as 24-hour room service and the island’s best wine cellar. The resort is spread out around a number of courtyards that hold bars, shops and clubs. This allows guests to choose between the lively scene at the Party Pool or the ultimate tranquility of the beachfront Relax Pool. For even more luxury, the resort offers Preferred Suites, which include soak tubs, rainforest showers, a dedicated pool and access to the Preferred Club. In addition to the waterfront buffet station, there are four gourmet a la carte restaurants to choose from, and guests also have full access to the amenities and dining options of the next-door Sunscape Sabor Cozumel.

Cozumel Aura Preferred Club Pool Cozumel

Guests who stay at the Preferred Suites section at Secrets Cozumel have a dedicated pool with a swim-up bar, and exclusive access to a private beach area. Photo: Secrets

Active guests have access to a full-featured gym, weight room and yoga studio and the island’s only clay tennis court. There is a full menu of water sports that includes concierge-level snorkeling and scuba diving services, with boat pick up at the resort’s private pier. Those who prefer relaxation have even better choices, as the 14,000-square-foot Secret’s Spa by Pavonia is the largest and best on the island. Unique experiences at the spa include fish tank pedicures on arrival, and access to a hydrotherapy area that includes hot and cold plunges, water massage stations and waterfall experiences. In keeping with its couple-centric theme, Secrets offers a number of special packages for weddings, honeymoons, anniversary and romantic getaways. These can include special experiences such as couple’s massages, breakfast in bed, private beachfront dining and vows ceremonies.

Secrets Cozumel Room

All accommodations at Secrets Cozumel are suites, and include garden and ocean-view options, as well as rooftop suites with private pools overlooking the ocean. Photo: Secrets

Family Values

You don’t have to bring the kids when you stay at Allegro Cozumel, but if you do, you won’t have to worry about keeping them busy. You can drop the younger ones at the resort’s kids’ club, where they can enjoy a full day of age-appropriate games and activities. If they are good on their own, there are dedicated play areas, but you will probably find them splashing about in the water park that sits within the resort’s activity pool. Don’t worry; there are three more pools on the property for those seeking tranquility. Teens can hang out in their own club, get active on the tennis or basketball courts, pump up at the fitness center, or hit the beach for beach volleyball or water sports.

Allegro Cozumel Resort Pool

Guest rooms at the Allegro Cozumel are separated into two-story, thatch- roofed clusters that include private balconies with hammocks. The beach is one of the islands best. Photo: Allegro

Mom and dad aren’t forgotten either. The beach is one of the islands finest, perfect for napping or snorkeling. The on-site spa offers a range of pampering treatments, and hot tubs and saunas to enhance the relaxation. Allegro sits on the edge of the famous Palancar Reef, which is one of the Caribbean’s best. Daily snorkeling and scuba diving trips can be arranged, and the shores can be explored by kayak or stand up paddleboard. When it’s mealtime, there are four restaurants to choose from, and five bars for happy hour. Like a number of Cozumel resorts, Allegro provides an all-inclusive plan that covers room, meals and activities. What makes this 261-room property especially appealing for family groups is not only the amenities, but also the value. Rates are often some of the most attractive of any comparable property on the island, making it possible to bring everyone along without breaking the bank.

Cozumel Allegro Room

An updated guest room at Allegro Cozumel showcases the resort’s clean, simplistic approach to comfort, which includes all the expected amenities without pretension. Photo: Allegro

Belize Biancaneaux Lodge Outdoor Shower
Asia, Belize, Caribbean, Central America, Costa Rica, Cozumel, Florida, Guatemala, Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Islands, Jamaica, Kauai, Key West, Maldives, Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, St. Lucia, Stay

Outdoor Showers: 15 Top Resorts with Amazing Private Open-air Cascades

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There’s nothing like standing under the cool, cleansing flow of an outdoor shower set amid natural surroundings. While lathering up in bubbles, you might hear the songs of birds, monkeys chattering in the trees or the sea rolling ashore. Bringing you closer to nature and pictured here is a close up of a private courtyard outdoor shower at the Blancaneuax Lodge in Belize.

Cozumel Landmark Hotel
Cozumel, Mexico, Play, Stay, Trip Ideas

Cozumel Snorkel Resorts

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The island of Cozumel boasts some of the best coral reefs in the Caribbean. Scuba divers come from around the world to discover the dramatic coral formations that line the island’s western coast. But you don’t need air tanks to enjoy the underwater landscape. Within swimming distance of shore, shallow reefs provide shelter for a menagerie of marine life. A number of these snorkel-friendly sites are located near beach resorts that offer exclusive water access. Stay at one of these prime properties and you will be just a few fin strokes away from the action.

InterContinental Presidente Cozumel

This upscale property provides an ideal blend of water access and convenient proximity to all of Cozumel’s attractions. Its water’s edge location provides sweeping ocean views from guest rooms, all less than a mile from the shops and restaurants of San Miguel. The property boasts the only sand beach in the area, and faces a protected cove that provides easy water entry for snorkelers. Coral heads begin just a short swim from shore, and the currents that sweep the island’s western coastline are often mitigated by nearby reefs. The Presidente is a full-service resort that accommodates for everyone from the business travelers to honeymooning couples and vacationing families. Amenities include an oceanfront pool, spa, tennis courts, fitness center and three on-site restaurants. The Chiqui Club provides youngsters with a range of age-appropriate activities, including the hotel’s signature iguana hunt. Adults are similarly indulged with a full range of concierge services.

Intercontinental Presidente Cozumel

The protected swimmers cove at the InterContinental Presidente resort provides an easy water entry for snorkelers, who can make a short swim to a collection of shallow coral reefs. Photo: InterContinental

Landmark Cozumel

Guests can enjoy views of Cozumel’s most famous snorkeling reef from the balcony of their two- or three-bedroom suite at the Landmark. This five-star residential resort delivers a full range of creature comforts and amenities, including full kitchens, living and dining areas and large sea-view balconies. There’s a pool and outdoor hot tub on site, but many guests prefer the adjacent beach club, which provides exclusive access to the coral gardens of Dzul Ha Reef. This site has been named the best snorkeling destination in Cozumel, thanks to its shallow depths and abundant marine life. Expect to see lobsters, stingrays, colorful parrotfish and swarms of colorful tropicals, all just a short swim away from the beach. For a special experience, rent an underwater flashlight from the watersports center and head out at sunset for a twilight snorkel. This is when many creatures such as octopus that have been hiding during the day come out to forage. Time it right and you’ll finish your explorations just about the time the live band starts up at the beach club.

Landmark Cozumel

A school of small snappers find shelter in the shadow of a coral head at Dzul Ha reef. This shallow snorkeling site is located directly off the waterfront of the Landmark Cozumel resort. Photo: Landmark Cozumel

Fiesta Americana

Snorkel excursion boats often bring their passengers to the reefs right in front of the Fiesta Americana Resort. This gives guests of this popular all- inclusive resort a home-field advantage, as they are not constrained by schedules, and can make the short swim from shore at their leisure. And should they want to take a boat ride, the on-site concession for Dive House can provide transportation to other areas along Cozumel’s southern coast, getting snorkelers to prime areas ahead of the tour groups from the cruise ships. But easy access to the best reefs isn’t the only reason to stay at the Fiesta Americana. With a water sports center, two pools, seven restaurants, a fitness center, dedicated children’s programs and a large on-site spa, there’s something for everyone. All of the resort’s spacious studio and one- bedroom suites feature oversize private balconies or terraces with partial or full ocean views, and attractions such as Chankanaab Park and Playa Palancar are nearby.

Fiesta Americana Cozumel

The Fiesta Americana resort overlooks one of the best snorkeling reefs on the Cozumel coast. The hotel’s beach club provides changing areas, showers and a waterfront bar and restaurant. Photo: Fiesta Americana

 

Shark Cuba
Bonaire, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Cuba, Mexico, Play, Trip Ideas, Turks & Caicos

The Caribbean’s Best Coral Reefs

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The islands of the Caribbean are ringed by coral reefs. These colorful underwater gardens are special places. But some are more special than others. There are a number of qualities that put certain sites at the top of divers’ and snorkeler’s aquatic bucket lists, including the clarity of the water, the health of the corals and the variety of fish life. When these factors are tallied up, a handful of reefs always top the list. Here are five of the best.

Kline Bonaire, Bonaire

The entire island of Bonaire is surrounded by a marine park that protects some of the most vibrant coral reefs in the Caribbean. At points all along the island’s calm western shore, divers and snorkelers can wade in from shore to discover a wealth of underwater diversity. But to discover the very best of Bonaire’s underwater treasures requires a short boat ride to the small, uninhabited island of Kline Bonaire. There isn’t much to look at above the surface, as the land is a barren limestone plateau almost devoid of vegetation. Slip below the waves, however, and you will be immediately immersed in riotous growths of colorful soft corals and sponges. The exceptionally clear water allows ample sunlight to penetrate and brighten this underwater garden, which begins just below the surface and continues into the depths in a series of slopes and ledges.

Bonaire Reef

The shallow reefs of Kline Bonaire give snorkelers a prime window to the underwater world. These sites are noted for colorful coral formations and abundant fish life. Photo: David Stahl/Flickr

Bloody Bay Wall, Little Cayman

Imagine hovering weightless on the face of a sheer cliff that drops vertically into unseen depths. This is wall diving, and for many, it is the Holy Grail of scuba. The Cayman Islands have long been a mecca for wall diving, as they sit atop oceanic plateaus that plunge dramatically into the depths just a short distance from shore. The most famous of these aquatic precipices is found off the northern shore of Little Cayman island. While most underwater walls in the Caymans start at depths of 70 to 80 feet, Bloody Bay Wall rises to within 20 feet of the surface, and then falls away abruptly to a depth of more than a mile. Adding to the drama is the site’s extremely clear water, which creates the illusion that divers are floating in air. For added adventure, there are canyons and tunnels that cut into the wall, creating an underwater maze ripe for exploration.

Cayman Islands Reef

A diver hovers on the face of Bloody Bay Wall. This mile-long underwater formation is the prime attraction on quiet Little Cayman island, which is home to fewer than 200 people. Photo: Erwin Poliakoff/Flickr

Palancar, Cozumel

Marine life thrives on the nutrients brought by moving water. And the steady oceanic currents that wash the western shores of the Mexican island of Cozumel create a bountiful buffet for both fish and corals. Small wonder that Cozumel has remained one of the Caribbean’s top diving destinations for more than 40 years. In addition to nurturing a rich variety of marine life, the moving waters are ideal for drift diving—a technique in which divers are dropped at one end of the reef, then picked up by the boat down current after enjoying the underwater equivalent of a soaring Superman flight. A series of shallow coral formations closer to shore allow novices and snorkelers to get in on the action, but the big ticket are the outside reefs, which rise on the edge of an underwater abyss that plummets to unseen depths.

Cozumel Reef

At Cozumel’s Palancar Reef, a grove of gorgonians extends webs of finger– like appendages to capture nutrients carried by the currents that wash over this site. Photo: Tam Minton/Flickr

West Caicos, Turks and Caicos

One of the thrills of diving is never knowing what might swim up from out of the blue. And one of the best places for these chance encounters are the reefs of West Caicos island. Here, just a chip shot from shore, a coral- encrusted sea wall faces the open ocean. These reefs are especially colorful, home to huge, bright-orange elephant ear sponges and multi-hued vase and barrel sponges. Stands of pillar coral shelter colorful butterfly, angel and parrot fish, along with large groupers, toothy barracuda and swirling schools of jacks. As captivating as these reef scenes can be, divers often keep one eye on open water while exploring these reefs. At any given moment, a squadron of spotted eagle rays may glide by, a curious sea turtle may come in for a closer look or patrolling reef shark may be seen in the distance. For the truly lucky, there may even be a visit from a passing pod of dolphins, and each winter humpback whales have been known to swim by on their way to southern breeding grounds.

Turks and Caicos Reef

A coral head near West Caicos island becomes a gathering point for numerous species of tropical fish, while the crevices hide lobster and crabs. Photo: Benignorco/Flickr

Gardens of the Queen, Cuba

When Christopher Columbus sailed into this archipelago of 250 coral and mangrove islands on Cuba’s southern coast, he was overwhelmed by the beauty of the waters, and christened the area Jardines de la Reina—Gardens of the Queen—to honor his Spanish Queen Isabella. These waters later caught the attention of another historic figure. In the 1990s, Fidel Castro declared the entire area a marine sanctuary, and banned all forms of commercial fishing and industry. A diver himself, Castro was reputed to enjoy exploring the reefs in his younger years, and considered the waters to be his private fishing spot. The gardens have since been opened for limited dive tourism, and those who visit proclaim the reefs to be the most vibrant and pristine in the entire Caribbean. As an added bonus, divers can move from the corals into nearby grass beds and mangrove lagoons that hold a wealth of juvenile fish species. The truly adventurous can seek out the North American crocodiles that visit certain reefs, and are said to be non– aggressive when encountered in clear water.

Cuba Reefs

A school of colorful grunts patrol a garden of soft corals in Cuba’s Gardens of the Queen. This protected area supports thriving fish populations. Photo: Jon McClintock/Flickr

Mexico Cozumel Beach Swing
Cancun, Cozumel, Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, Stay, Trip Ideas

Best Family Beach Resorts in Mexico

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The family is ready for a vacation, and everyone’s thinking beach. But as much as mom and dad love the little ones, they are ready for some personal time. And that’s fine with the kids, who also want to do their own thing. The answer is stay at one of Mexico’s family-friendly beach resorts. And for the summer season, a number of the best properties are offering special savings and incentives for families that stay together, but want to play apart.

Fiesta Americana Cozumel

This family friendly all-inclusive is about fun in the sun and time on the water. The resort’s private beach club provides easy access to on-site snorkeling and a convenient starting point to the island’s best dive sites. The hotel is set well away from the cruise ship crowds of downtown, but close to Chankanaab Natural Park, Mayan ruins and a number of the island’s premier attractions. Spacious guestrooms and suites include large private balconies or terraces with partial or full ocean views. Mid-century modern hardwood furnishings complement wood-grain porcelain tile floors and modern artwork, with fixtures that include LCD satellite TV and Wi-Fi Internet access. Families can upgrade to a suite for additional living space. The property includes seven restaurants, with cuisines ranging from Asian and Italian to traditional Mexican fare and fresh seafood. The special includes 30 percent off summer rates when you book and stay from May 9 through August 12, 2017. www.lacoleccionresorts.com

Fiesta Americana Cozumel

Following a three-year closure and a $17 million property-wide renovation, the Fiesta Americana Cozumel reopened as one of the island’s premier all-inclusive properties. Photo: Fiesta Americana

Club Med Ixtapa

This all-inclusive resort has all the ingredients needed for a perfect family vacation. Attentive child care and engaging youth programs allow parents to enjoy some away time without worries, enjoying everything from water sports, fitness classes and tennis to spa time and naps on the golden sand beach. Families can also come together for shared activities such as sailing lessons, stargazing and a unique circus school with flying trapeze lessons. Four on-site restaurants serving a variety of cuisines to please both simple and sophisticated palates, and three bars pour complimentary libations for the adults. All this would seem reason enough to stay as long as possible, but as a further enticement, Club Med is offering incentives for stays booked by June 21, for travel through December 23, 2017. Book 3 to 5 nights for a 45 percent discount, 6 to 7 nights to save 50 percent, and enjoy 55 percent off on stays of eight nights or more. www.clubmed/us

Club Med Ixtapa

In addition to offering poolside relaxation, the Club Med Ixtapa is home to a large sports school staffed by experienced coaches and instructors. Photo: Alessandro Carpentiero/Club Med

Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta

There are a number of reasons why this landmark all-inclusive property in Puerto Vallarta’s popular North Hotel Zone is a family favorite. Rooms are well appointed and spacious—some can accommodate groups of up to six. Each has the added space of an open-air balcony with either ocean or mountain views. Eight on- site restaurants accommodate every taste from children’s favorites to elegant international cuisines. And then there are the programs, tailored to age groups ranging from preschoolers to teens, with a playground, supervised pool and beach games, arts and sports activities. The adults have a private beach and a sprawling outdoor pool with a swim up bar. They can also enjoy some pampering and personal time at Nakawe Spa, where treatments and the atmosphere are eco friendly. Take advantage of summer savings in July and August. You’ll receive 40% off when you book and travel from July 7 to August 12, 2017. www.lacoleccionresorts.com

Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta

In keeping with the resort’s inclusive but separate theme, the expansive pool at the Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta separates the swim up bar from the children’s swim area. Photo: Fiesta Americana

Grand Oasis Palm Cancun

This upscale beach resort goes beyond the usual definition of family friendly with a range of kid-centric features that will keep youngsters busy and engaged day and night. In addition to a separate pool with water slides, fountains and water trampolines, there’s a dedicated kid’s beach club that includes game rooms, a movie theater and dance club. Daily-supervised activities extend to evening entertainment and overnight camps. Several of the property’s 12 restaurants offer children’s favorites and the next- door sister property hosts a kid-centric buffet. While all this is going on, adults can spend the day at their own beach club or pools, make use of the on-site nine-hole golf course, relax in the Kin Ha spa, enjoy gourmet dining and take in a nightclub performance. During the summer vacation season, the resort is offering a “Kids Stay Free” deal where two kids 12 years old and under can stay and eat free when sharing the room with two adults. Rates start at $241per person, based on double occupancy. www.grandoasispalm.com

Grand Oasis Cancun

Cancun’s Grand Oasis Palm combines five-star amenities with a wide range of family-friendly features. Guests also enjoy reciprocal privileges at the Oasis Palm next door. Photo: Grand Oasis Palm

The Explorean Cozumel

This isn’t your average Caribbean beach resort. In fact, the Explorean Cozumel isn’t even on the water. Instead it is tucked into the jungles of Cozumel—though the ocean is just a short walk away through the grounds of the sister property, Fiesta Americana. The all-inclusive concept at this family-friendly property goes beyond buffets, bars and shows to include a range of daily guided adventures. Guests are invited to join in on activities that range from kayaking, paddle boarding and snorkeling trips to jungle treks, bike tours, archeology projects and horseback rides to Mayan ruins. Guests also have access to all the amenities at Fiesta Americana. This summer, guests can settle in and relax at the jungle pool or the private beach club, while saving 30 percent on stays through August 12, 2017. www.lacoleccionresorts.com

The Explorean Cozumel

Stone, wood and earth tones help the Explorean Cozumel blend into its jungle surroundings. The property was designed as a relaxing alternative to large beachfront hotels. Photo: Explorean

Yucatan Ik Kil Cenote
Cancun, Cozumel, Mexico, Plan, Playa del Carmen, Trip Ideas

Mexico Snapshots: Cenote Ik-kil

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The limestone substrate of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is riddled with underground rivers and flooded caverns. When the roofs of these chambers collapse and expose the subterranean waters to the sky, they are known as cenotes. One of the region’s most spectacular cenotes is known as Ik-kil. Located near the ruins of the ancient city of Chichen Itza, the clear waters of this natural pool are surrounded by 85-foot cliffs, and plunge to depths of more than 130 feet.

Vines drop rope-like runners from the surface to tap into the water source, and small waterfalls often cascade over the edges. Revered as a sacred site in traditional Mayan culture, it was once the site of ceremonies and sacrifices. Today, it is a popular swimming hole, with a wooden stairway leading down to the water. A dip in the waters of Ik-kil is often bundled with tours of Chichen Itza, giving visitors a chance to cool off after exploring the ruins.

Grand Cayman North Sound
Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Play, Trip Ideas

Best Caribbean Islands for Water Sports

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Which destinations have the best water sports will likely remain a subject of endless debate among aficionados of diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kiteboarding and fishing. Every island has something to offer. Some provide the best conditions for one sport, but may not be well suited to another. And then there are the islands that deliver a bit of everything, from wind and waves to calm, clear shores, along with the necessary infrastructure to support these aquatic pursuits. If you are looking to sample a broad range of on- the-water adventures, here are the islands that deliver on multiple fronts.

Grand Cayman

It’s hard for one island to please everyone looking to get wet and have fun. Divers want clear water and calm seas. Sailors want wind; big game fishermen need access to deep water. If there is one island in the Caribbean that can please the widest variety of water-sports enthusiasts, it is Grand Cayman. World famous for its precipitous underwater walls, it remains one of the prime diving destinations in the Caribbean. But that’s just the beginning. The expansive bay known as North Sound is an aquatic playground. Kayakers cruise the mangrove-fringed corners, while fly fishermen tempt tarpon and bonefish on nearby flats. Day sailors zip across the breezy yet protected waters of the sound, while closer to the wave-washed northern edge, windsurfers and kiteboarders carve and hop in the chop. From marinas daily fishing expeditions depart into the blue waters beyond, while the Seven Mile Beach, on the island’s western leeward shore, is perfect for flat water pursuits such as stand-up paddleboarding, glass-bottom boat tours and waterski runs.

Cayman Windsurfing, Best Caribbean Islands for Water Sports

A windsurfer skims across clear waters along the north coast of Grand Cayman Island. An offshore reef beyond the sandy shallows provides a buffer from large offshore swells. Photo: Cayman Windsurfing

Cozumel

It was Jacques Cousteau who kicked off the Caribbean diving craze with his 1961 declaration that Cozumel was one of the best diving destinations on Earth. And he was right. The island, which sits at the northern end of the massive Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, is blessed with a magical combination of clear water, spectacular reefs and abundant marine life. Along the island’s sheltered western shore, a sloping bottom leads to enormous reefs towering up off the sand. The structures are washed by a steady north-flowing current that delivers a stream of nutrients that leave the filter-feeding creatures of the reef—corals, sponges, and gorgonians—very, very happy. It also keeps the ocean clear, and this was the place where divers first spoke of “gin clear” water. It’s so clear that light that usually fades to dusky blue at 60 feet is still clear and bright at 100 feet or more. In the deep blue waters beyond, there’s also excellent fishing, and each spring sees an international cast of anglers arrive to do battle with plentiful populations of high-flying sailfish. Angling action also extends to the reef and into the mangroves where feisty bonefish play hide and seek with your fly all day long. When conditions are right, explorers can hop a speedboat for a run to the island’s wild east side, or remain on the sheltered west and discover the shoreline in a kayak, or launch a catamaran into the mellow breezes that grace western beaches.

Cozumel Underwater

A school of yellow grunts congregate over a shallow reef off the island of Cozumel. Steady currents wash sites such as this, nurturing coral and sponge growth. Photo: Brian Lasenby/Shutterstock

Dominican Republic

Good diving and snorkeling can be found in the Dominican Republic, especially in the south around Catalina Island, but the real water-sports action is on the north coast at Cabarete. This is a world mecca for windsurfing and kiteboarding. Strong and consistent winds blow into the bay, while an offshore barrier reef breaks up the prevailing swells and creates surfable and jumpable breakers for the more advanced, as well as sheltered nearshore areas for beginners. Kiting is best just northwest of Cabarete, and scores of operators are eager to hook you up with gear, lessons, advice, whatever you need. There are dive sites nearby, including some awesome pinnacles, but the wind, waves and runoff limit the appeal. Around the corner and down the coast to the south at Punta Cana you’ll find superb deep-sea fishing. The area faces right into the Mona Passage between Hispaniola and Puerto Rico, with deep water not far offshore. Blue marlin run year round, peaking in the summer months, and you can chase white marlin, mahimahi, tuna and sailfish too.

Dominican Republic Kiteboarding

Steady easterly trade winds power a fleet of kiteboarders at popular Cabarete Beach. Located on the north coast of the Dominican Republic, this site has become a mecca for the sport. Photo: iStock

Caribbean Hammock
British Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Cozumel, Mexico, Nevis, Stay, Trip Ideas

Six Caribbean Resorts Where Irresistible Hammocks Await

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The word comes to us from the Taino people: amaca. These woven strands evolved from fishing nets into chairs, beds and carry sacks. Sailors slung them in the holds of their trading vessels and jungle explorers carried them in lieu of bedding. Today, hammocks evoke relaxation and provide a perfect place to rest or nod off for an afternoon nap as a sea breeze tempers the heat of the day. Whether suspended over lush green grass, beachfront or just outside your private palapa, a hammock is always a welcome site when you arrive at a Caribbean resort.