This morning six of us went snorkeling at Akumal, an area way down the road (10 miles) where one can generally dive with sea turtles and stingrays. We were not disappointed! Although there were a lot of people at the beach, we were not crowded on the snorkeling grounds. We saw several sea turtles, one large one with a remora attached and we saw a stingray with a blue runner (a fish) keeping it company. Actually the fish was staying near the stingray because when the stingray kicks up the bottom as it feeds, it often scares up a shrimp, small crab, or other tidbit. Then the blue runner zips in for a bite. I don’t know what the remora feeds on as the turtles are eating grass off the bottom and I’m not sure that the remora is a vegetarian.
After the swim, we took a table at the nearby bar and quaffed a few cool ones.
From left to right: Helen, Rob, Shirley, Brenda, and Gerry.
From left to right: Me, and Helen
In addition to the fish and turtles we saw underwater, as I was walking back along the beach there was a large bonefish swimming only about 3 or 4 feet from shore. In Florida, the bonefish is a prized target for some avid fishermen because it is hard to catch. They are extremely shy in shallow water and a noise in the boat or a sloppy cast can send a whole school of bonefish heading for deep water. Here was a very good sized specimen swimming along a very populated and busy beach. It was quite a surprise.
We all had a great time and I’m sure we will be doing it again. Of course, we have snorkeling right off our beach, but the first reef is not too interesting and the second reef is a long way out for snorkelers who do not have a dive flag buoy with them, and NO ONE down here uses a dive flag for snorkeling. It wouldn’t be so bad, but there is some boat traffic between the two reefs and it would be all too easy to get hit. We didn’t have a dive flag with us at Akumal, but no one else did either and we could keep our eyes out for a boat as we were only out a few hundred feet.
Just another day in paradise.
Later!
Paul we are enjoying the pictures and glad to see you guys are in the water and enjoying your vacation. It is always more fun when you have good neighbor to.We are still enjoying a little milder than normal weather it is almost 60 and sunny right now, who knows when old man winter will arrive. Rigg's is guarding the door while I type this,My niece Tammy will be coming for another visit on Saturday, so that will be pizza night this week.Give the girls all a hug from Donna & I. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder to dig out my dive flag and bring it back to Xpu Ha with me! It was a nice last day in Mexico for me.
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