which has "postcard" clear blue water, white sand: Almaplena or Blue Kay?

[MBS430]

dear fellow cruiser,

 

apology if this topic has been covered before.

 

I will be on Liberty OTS departing on 10/9.

please educate me on where to go in costa maya:

 

I like to find that "postcard" Caribbean clear-blue water, white sand beach in costa maya.

Based on what I read so far, it is either Almaplena or Blue Kay.

 

1. Which has better chance for that clear blue water?

2. which has more shaded area?

3. how far is blue kay from cruise port?

 

Thank YOU very much in advance for your help!

[Carolina Girl 99]

Have not been to Costa Maya yet (we'll be there next month) but if you can find posts from CC member Mitsugirly, she has in depth reviews with pictures on both places :)

[AKLydia]

Blue Kay is the first beach you hit when coming from the cruise port however all the beach clubs are very close.

[lifes-a-beach]

In case you check this while aboard ship, when we were at blue key the water was very clear. I'll be there Thursday and hope to find it the same.

[crewsweeper]

Almaplena is furthest from the cruise port and is down the coast from the malecon. You'll need a reservation there as they limit their # of guests.

 

Depending upon the recent weather, you're most likely not going to find a picture post card blue water anywhere along the Yucatan coast as the currents are very favorable for such like they are in the Eastern Caribbean islands. But unless there's been a recent storm or the current weather is poor, you can find clear water at Blue Kay.

[mitsugirly]

Hopefully you have managed to find my reviews on both places. If not, they are in my signature line.

 

Almaplena is beautiful, but not much shade there and it is further away. It's an AI, so transportation, food and drinks are included in 1 price.

 

Blue Kay, about 7-8 minutes from port and $3 taxi ride. It's pay as you go, but prices are cheap (I thought). Definitely a MUCH bigger beach and area and plenty of shade with trees along the beach and also palapas. Beautiful place. :)

[lifes-a-beach]

Blue Key was just as amazing as I remembered it. Beautiful clear water, no big crowd, we even had the ceviche and it was very good. This is becoming my favorite beach day spot.