Akumal snorkel spots

We're off to Akumal for two weeks at the end of November. Our main
interests are snorkelling and beach-combing. Anybody have any
suggestions for snorkel sites that shouldn't be missed? (or conversely,
spots that aren't worth the effort) Can you reach the fringing reef from
a shore access or do you need a boat? Any great beaches for walking?
We're thinking of renting a car for part of the time so that we can
take day trips to other areas such as Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa de
Carmen. (We've already been to Cozumel and Tulum.) Given that we're at
an all-inclusive, is this feasible?
Thanks for your help.

In article <418010D3.55042344@snafu.net>,
newfinon94 <fubar@snafu.net> writes:

> We're off to Akumal for two weeks at the end of November. ...
...
> We're thinking of renting a car for part of the time ...

WARNING -- on Mexican two-lane highways passing is common even when there
is oncomming traffic. You are expected to use the breakdown lane.
This is very scary when you first encounter it. It _IS_ dangerous,
but if you are aware you at least know what to do.

Here is a bit I wrote in 2001:

[From Play del Carmen]
We drove south to Akumal. Directly south of town, the road narrows to
two lanes -- plus some good breakdown lanes. Almost immediately I
realized that there were trucks coming toward me in BOTH LANES!!! Turns
out this is the norm -- you're expected to use the breakdown lanes and
get out of the way. And since these are big, double trailer trucks...
well, you DO get out of the way.

Enjoy!

--
Charlie Hammond -- Hewlett-Packard Company -- Ft Lauderdale FL USA
(hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com -- remove "@not" when replying)
All opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily my employer's.

newfinon94 wrote:

> We're off to Akumal for two weeks at the end of November. Our main
>interests are snorkelling and beach-combing. Anybody have any
>suggestions for snorkel sites that shouldn't be missed? (or conversely,
>spots that aren't worth the effort) Can you reach the fringing reef from
>a shore access or do you need a boat? Any great beaches for walking?
> We're thinking of renting a car for part of the time so that we can
>take day trips to other areas such as Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa de
>Carmen. (We've already been to Cozumel and Tulum.) Given that we're at
>an all-inclusive, is this feasible?
> Thanks for your help.
>
>
>
We stayed at Half Moon Bay on Akumal. There was very nice snorkeling
right from shore. Lots of coral although fewer fish than we see other
places. We also went to the lagoon. If you go there, go first thing in
the morning. By later in the day, it gets very murky. The beach around
Half Moon Bay is pretty soft. Better better beach walking down by the
big resort (don't recall the name).