Has anyone been to Punta Sur recently?

[prescea]

My husband and I are going to be in Cozumel on the Carnival Dream in May. This will be our 4th visit to Cozumel, and most times we rent a jeep, sight-see, and then end up at Carlos n Charlies. We are thinking of renting a jeep again, and heading to Punta Sur to climb the lighthouse and snorkel. How far is the reef from shore? We are strong swimmers and snorkel quiet often. Any information about the park would be great! Thanks! :)

[dcikon2]

The Punta Sur that I am familiar with is on Isla Mujeres. I don't think you are planning on heading there.

[prescea]

The Punta Sur that I am familiar with is on Isla Mujeres. I don't think you are planning on heading there.

 

This is the one we are talking about. I believe Carnival offers an excursion here.

 

http://www.cozumelparks.com/eng/punta_sur.cfm

[prescea]

Anyone??

[crewsweeper]

I haven't been there recently, but as I recall there some park staff that use a truck and will take you down to the beach. Food and drink are not allowed on the beach. There's a couple of kayaks manned by the park staff that'll assist you in going out if needed. There are some platforms in fairly shallow water, but you need to look for the white buoys that mark the sections of the reef. The reef is all part of the Palancar Reef and as I recall the area nearest the lighthouse is Punta Celarain (?) (5'-20' deep).

[c-leg5]

We haven't been recently either but it is on my to do list of places to revisit. When we went it was shortly after the hurricane did a lot of damage to that area. I am assuming that you have seen the website but if not http://www.cozumelparks.com/eng/punta_sur.cfm

It seems as though the area is recovering and developing.

[Cmildenb]

I just signed up for this Punta Sur excursion since it was recommended on this forum in another thread.

http://www.***********************/mobile/secluded_all_inclusive_day_pass_papitos_beach_club_punta_sur.htm

[valentinebaby1]

We were there just a few weeks ago, I'm not sure snorkeling is allowed there anymore... Maybe there was an area we didn't see that allowed it, but at the lighthouse, they had signs up that you could not enter the water there. We had asked about snorkeling there (we were on a private jeep tour) and were told they aren't allowing snorkeling there, but I'm not sure if that was that the jeep tour wasn't doing it or that Punta Sur wasn't allowing it. But there was definitely a sign at the beach area by the lighthouse saying no swimming.

[ISLABONITA]

I believe by reading on TripAdvisor that there are snorkeling boats from the Caleta Marina to the area in Punta Sur you are asking about.

Columbia reef

 

http://www.scubagamma.net/assets/images/Map_of_Cozumel_island.JPG

[JKirkN]

Punta Sur is beautiful! I'm pretty sure you can't snorkel from shore though. I think you can snorkel if you get there by boat, but you can only wade into the water...no swimming...

Here's a couple pictures... and if you do go, make sure to say hi to Charlie at the restaurant below the lighthouse (he's a pizote) He's really cute...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[#1TravelMom]

We were there just a few months ago. It is our favorite beach - we've been there many times. You can snorkel from shore. It is quite a distance. We always sit at the snack hut with the hammocks. They are really friendly and the food is excellent! They make everything fresh as you order it.

 

To snorkel - look for the platform and beyond the platform a white bouy. The bouy marks the reef. You can rest at the platform if you need to. We always start there and snorkel down the reef to the right(facing the ocean) and then swim to shore and walk back up the beach. There are lots of fish and some really large brain coral.

 

Sometimes there is a guy with a kayak or little boat who will take you out to the reef for a fee.