Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Enjoy The Best Of The Western Caribbean With Cozumel Scuba Diving Packages

By Tanisha Berg


Earth is full of wonderful places to explore. There are jungles, deserts, tundra, mountains and swamps that each have their own particular beauty. However, much of the real magic happens under water in the oceans. To experience a bit of this truly wonderful world, Cozumel scuba diving packages are just the thing for you.

The island of Cozumel is located in Mexico's southeastern parts. It lies in the western Caribbean and just across from Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan Peninsula. Thousands of people visit each year to enjoy the local attractions, the Mexican flavor and the perfect beach weather. The infrastructure is excellent and geared towards tourists, so that even medical tourism is becoming a growing industry here. There is an important port and cruise ships often dock here while sailing in this part of the Caribbean.

Over a millennium ago, Mayans came to the island to start a settlement here. Evidence of their presence is still found in the ruins of San Gervasio, a popular visitor attraction. Those with an interest in history may also enjoy the local museums. When the ocean starts calling, there is a pearl farm as well as two dolphinariums to get acquainted with life under water.

The stars of the show are the ocean and the beaches. There are several good beaches here, including the popular and aptly named Paradise Beach. Along the western parts of the island, the waters are clam and clear, perfect for snorkeling and swimming. On the eastern side, waves are big and a surfer's dream. Other popular activities include fishing and sailing as well as trips in glass-bottom boats or little submarines.

The best way to see a different side to Cozumel is to take to the water and go scuba diving. The Mesoamerican Reef here is a must-see and there are plenty of dive shops that will help make this possible for you. You can also take a course to learn how to dive and many beach hotels employ in-house diving instructors.

The waters around the island offer a variety of dive sites. There are shallow waters that can be explored through snorkeling too, and there are midwater reefs, pinnacles and vertical walls. The water is normally pleasantly warm and visibility is high. Turtles, seahorses and stingrays are just some of the marine animals that can be seen.

There is a good reason why the marine life is so abundant and varied in Cozumel's waters. The reef is protected by law. When choosing a dive outfit, look at its safety record but also look at whether the staff take reef conservation seriously. When you're in the water, be a responsible diver too by not touching or stepping on the fragile reef and not taking anything away. Use biodegradable sunscreen too, since chemicals in regular sunscreen can adversely affect the reef ecosystem.

It's easy to reach Cozumel if you're traveling independently. You can fly in direct from the USA or you can travel to Cancun and then to Playa del Carmen, from where it's possible to take a ferry. However, if you like travel preparations to be hassle free, you may want to opt for a package that includes everything, from your travel and accommodation to the actual dives. Simply look online or ask your travel agent.




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