Akumal Bay is known for its many species of sea turtles which use the grounds for breeding, feeding and rearing their young. This provides an optimal chance to experience the animals in their natural habitat, including the many different species of fish and plant life.
Snorkeling and scuba diving are perhaps the favorite activities to do during a visit to Akumal, but snorkeling is a less physically demanding and technical option. With a brief instruction course and a good site choice, snorkeling is relatively easy for even first-time novices.
One popular site for snorkeling in Akumal is the Yal-ku lagoon. This site is an very rare environment where fresh water meets with salt water from the sea. The combination of the two types of water is called a “halocline” effect.
Only very specific species can live and prosper in this halocline bay, and the mixture of salt and fresh water supplies creates an changed appearance of the water itself. Many fish found in this area are not found anywhere else in the world, and have been shown on many travel channel specials in recent years.
Casa Cenote is a lagoon featuring mangroves and unusual fish displays. Some snorkelers find the fossils in Cenote at Dosojos quite worth while for a day of exploration. Many of the fossils seen at Dosojos date back to original civilizations that once occupied the area.
Snorkel lessons are always a good thing forbeginners prior to traveling to one of these sites. Although the activity is easy, some find that they are uneasy with the equipment or unclear how to best watch the underwater scenery while safely using the equipment.
A fun activity for locals and tourists alike is night snorkeling. Typically, a light is used in conjunction with traditional snorkeling equipment for this activity.
Many fish which are not observed during daylight hours can be observed when snorkeling after nightfall. This is usually because they are night-feeders or sleeping during the day.
The octopus is a good example of this spectacle. Octopuses only come out to feed at nighttime, and change color when a light is focused on them. Virtually all of the life seen at night are safe for snorkelers, so night snorkeling is a family-friendly activity also.
Plant life and some types of fish are also luminescent after dark. This creates greenish lights shining either continuously or flashing at night – quite a show for one who is only used to snorkeling during the day!