Professor Beach Blog » Diving http://professorbeach.com The Worlds Best Beach Towns Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:27:16 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Cozumel – Island of the Swallows http://professorbeach.com/2008/09/cozumel-island-of-the-swallows/ http://professorbeach.com/2008/09/cozumel-island-of-the-swallows/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:21:58 +0000 Professor Beach http://professorbeach.wordpress.com/?p=531 Did you know that Cozumel is an island in the Caribbean Sea?  In fact, it is Mexico’s largest island.  It is located off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, opposite the Playa del Carmen, and close to the Yucatan Channel.  Cozumel is a very popular tourist destination and is known throughout the world for it’s scuba diving and snorkeling.  Some of the most spectacular coral reefs are found in Cozumel.

The island of Cozumel is approx 30 miles (48 km) going north & south and approx 10 miles (16 km ) going east & west.   It’s the largest Atlantic island of Mexico.   It’s approx 12 miles (20 kms) from the mainland, and approx 36 miles (60 km) south of Cancun, Mexico.

Cozumel is serene, laid-back and somewhat undiscovered.  Cozumel compares to many Caribbean Islands because of it’s activities, and stunning beauty. The appeal of this island lies with the combination of the best of Mexico with the allure of vacationing on a Caribbean island. The island of Cozumel is tone of the top destinations in the world for cruise ship visits.  This island is surrounded with ivory white sand beaches and crystal clear water, which ranges in color from turquoise to deep indigo.

With the tropical climate of Cozumel, the weather can change from one day to the next.  It is warm year round with an average temperature of 81 F (27 C).  Heavy rains start in June and go on through October.  Even if it rains every day, the usual duration of a shower is short.  Humidity is naturally high during the rainy season.

The west side of Cozumel is calm – ideal for swimming, diving or just relaxing in the sun.  This part of the island is also the most developed with banks, markets, shops, restaurants and hotels.  The east side of the island is more secluded, with very few people living there and little activity.  There are some calm beaches with clear emerald green water.  There are at least 20 live reefs so close to the shore,  it makes snorkeling and diving a must. The island also has it’s share of Mayan ruins hidden in the jungles that can be explored by car, bike or foot.

The area’s diving and snorkeling are legendary.  Following a 1961 documentary by Jacques Cousteau, Cozumel earned a worldwide following of divers who ranked it one of the top five scuba diving and snorkeling sites on the planet.  The island’s surrounding waters are filled with undersea life, colorful reefs, and the wrecked hulls of Spanish galleons.  The area’s marine life & reef structures attract more than 75,000 divers from all over the world, every year.   With over 30 kms of reefs & water visibility up to 200 feet and over 200 species of tropical fish, Cozumel is considered by many to be the best.  It’s very easy to find dive shops – they are everywhere!

For non divers, the island has something for everyone.  Sightseeing includes some archaeological sites.  You won’t want to miss the shopping & dining in the village of San Miguel de Cozumel.   Nature lovers come to Cozumel to see giant see turtles laying their eggs from May to September and to view the island’s variety of exotic migratory bird life.

Fishing is also a major sport in Cozumel.  Species like dorado and barracudas can be caught.  It’s easy to find charter boats.  Other water activities include sailing, water ski & windsurfing.

According to Mayan legends, the home to Goddess Ixchel, the islanders built temples to honor her, the goddess of love & fertility.  In return, Goddess Ixchel sent the swallow, her favorite bird, as a gesture of gratitude, thus the name of “The Island of the Swallows”.

Before traveling to Mexico – click on the link below for some “Good to Know” important travel tips.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/spring_break_mexico/spring_break_mexico_2812.html

Click here for more information on Cozumel and visit Professor Beach’s website

There you will find maps, airport information and other good stuff!

]]> http://professorbeach.com/2008/09/cozumel-island-of-the-swallows/feed/ 1 Diving in the Cayman Islands http://professorbeach.com/2008/08/diving-in-the-cayman-islands/ http://professorbeach.com/2008/08/diving-in-the-cayman-islands/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 20:36:19 +0000 professorbeach http://professorbeach.wordpress.com/?p=436 The Cayman Islands are an outstanding choice for couples or families looking for a fabulous vacation. The Cayman Islands consist of 3 islands – Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.  This group of islands is located in Caribbean Sea, approx 150 miles (240 km) south of Cuba and 268 km northwest of Jamaica.  The Cayman Islands are located approx 20 degrees north of the Equator. This results in nice temperatures year-round. The coolest month in the Cayman Islands is February and the warmest month is July.

Winter (Dec-April) is the peak tourist season.  This is when hotel rates are usually higher and the beaches and lodgings are more crowded.  The winter temperatures average  75°F (23.9°C) during the day and 68°F (20°C) during the night & humidity is at its lowest.  Summer is great time to visit if you are looking for a bargain.  The weather is hot, but accommodations are less expensive (approx 40% ) and the crowds are much thinner. There is more rain in summer but it tends to clear quickly.  During the summer, temperatures average 83°F (28.3°C). Rainfall is highest from middle of May to October, but the frequent showers clear as quickly as they arrive.  Remember though, summer is also hurricane season.

Grand Cayman is approx 22 miles long and 8 miles at its widest point.  Grand Cayman is approx 90 miles south of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, which are approx 5 miles apart.

Cayman Brac is approx 12 miles long and 1 mile at its widest spot.  Cayman Brac has the highest point in all of the Islands with the impressive “Bluff” that rises 140 feet out of the sea.

The smallest island is Little Cayman.  This island has a population somewhere around 150 people.

This illustration is not to scale.  Little Cayman & Cayman Brac are much further north and east of Grand Cayman.


This map puts the islands into better perspective

If you are a beach lover, you have many choices on Grand Cayman – Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman Public Beach, Spotts Beach, Smith Cove, West Bay Public Beach, Cemetery Beach, Rum Point, East End Public Beach, Cayman Kai and Heritage Beach.

Depending on your likes, there are many places of interest on Grand Cayman:

  • Boatswain’s Beach (Cayman Turtle Farm)
  • National Gallery of the Cayman Islands
  • Pedro St. James Castle
  • Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park
  • Wreck of the Ten Sails Park

There is public minibus service on Grand Cayman but I suggest renting a car.  This is the best way to explore the island.   Motorcycles and scooters are also available on all three islands. Traffic moves slow and driving is on the left.

Taxi are readily available on Grand Cayman, though they become fewer the further you get from George Town.  Taxis are not available on Little Cayman or Cayman Brac, however, many hotels offer shuttle services to guests.

Surprisingly enough, there isn’t a ferry service from Grand Cayman to either of the sister islands.  There are many private boat operators that will shuttle you between Cayman Brac and Little Cayman for a fee.If you don’t want to charter a private boat, the only way to get from Grand Cayman to the sister islands is by air.  Cayman Express and Cayman Airways offer regular service from Grand Cayman to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.  Owen Roberts International Airport on Grand Cayman is less than 3km (2mi) south of George Town. Taxis are abundant for the trip into town.  Gerrard-Smith International Airport is located at the western end of Cayman Brac. On Little Cayman, Edward Bodden Airfield is located just west of South Town, on the southwestern coast.  These 2 sister islands do not offer an airport taxi service, but the hotels will be happy to pick you up.

The Cayman Islands are noted for diving.  If diving is your pleasure, check out these links:

http://www.divecayman.ky/

http://www.cayman.org/scuba.htm

http://www.petermilburndivecayman.com/index.htm

http://www.paradise-divers.com/

http://www.donfosters.com/index.html

Before you book your trip, take a peek at the links below for more info on the Cayman Islands where you can visit Professor Beach’s Worlds Best Beachtowns Website!
Click here for Grand Cayman
Click here for Little Cayman
Click here for Cayman Brac
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