Xel Ha lagoon

[emcbride81]

Anyone know if you can dive in Xel Ha lagoon near Playa del Carmen? I heard that it is a cool place to snorkel, but I have not found out if it is diveable. Is it worth the $19 entry?

[ReefHound]

It's been many years since I've been but it used to be a great place to take the family snorkeling. That's the basic entry fee only (lower than I expected) but they really try to push their all-inclusive fee (includes equipment, towels, lockers, lunch) for $70 or so. You can bring in your own equipment and towels, not sure about food and drink.

Much if not most of their business comes from the tour buses that arrive and leave like clockwork, depositing hundreds of naive tourists. Best times to go were early morning before the buses arrive and mid-afternoon after they leave.

They have a pretty good website. It lists activities available, no mention of scuba but they offer snuba.

[tntnitro9961]

Xel ha is worth the $19 if you have the time the large Parrot fish are interesting . Some of the biggest ive seen.

I dont think they will let you dive there but I would double Ck the web site.

Have fun

[tlmainer]

I did not see any diving when we went there about 3 years ago. It is worth a snorkeling trip. Some of the fish (grouper looking) we saw were 5' long. We paid something like $60 p/person which included transportation from Cancun, entry, snorkeling equip and a nice meal etc.

[divingchef]

Its been a loooonnnngggg time since I was there, but I think its only snorkel.......get there early....in high season with all the tourist the vis is horrible after 12pm......get in before the buses....

[ReefHound]

Originally Posted by tlmainer

I did not see any diving when we went there about 3 years ago. It is worth a snorkeling trip. Some of the fish (grouper looking) we saw were 5' long. We paid something like $60 p/person which included transportation from Cancun, entry, snorkeling equip and a nice meal etc.

I don't think so unless that was a time share deal. Tours from Cancun were $80 over ten years ago, their website today lists $119. At the gate admission is $75.

[Chocoholic]

We're going to take my mother in law there, can't wait to go again. I remember seeing people doing snuba but not any scuba divers, it is very shallow in most places.