Travel Agent - March 31, 2008 - (Page DS9) fun for novices Palancar. Monstrous coral heads climb 80 feet, crowned with red gorgonian fans and enormous yellow sponges. Internal fissures create dramatic passages between the masses of coral, which plummet abruptly into the depths below. Divers can also explore great mounds of coral and see underwater sculptures of Christ and the Virgin at Chankanaab National Park, face off with great grouper and moray eels at Tormentos, or plunge 120 feet into the brilliant green abyss of San Francisco. For more experienced divers, however, the spectacular coral-covered tunnels of Maracaibo that circle the southern tip of the island descend to 130 feet or deeper along its walls. At 70 to 80 feet, Maracaibo Shallow often finds divers swimming alongside large schools of grouper and yellow jack. the largest and oldest coral reef in North America. In close proximity to the Sea Trek, Cozumel island’s most popular dive sites, the resort features For clients who would like to explore the underwater world, a private pier, daily boat but aren’t ready to take the plunge as a scuba diver, SeaTrek trips, PADI certification at family-friendly Chankanaab National Park [www. and resort courses, scuba cozumelparks.com] provides an easy, comfortable option. gear rentals, a diver’s Undersea visitors wear a special oxygen-supplying helmet boutique, rinse tanks to venture below the surface to experience the reefs and their and lockers for gear thousands of inhabitants. The park is also home to Dolphin storage. It is also an excelDiscovery [www.dolphindiscovery.com], where visitors can lent departure point for swim and interact with these friendly and intelligent aquatic diving and snorkeling at mammals. Chankanaab is open daily, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Price Chankanaab. of admission is $16 for adults and $8 for children 3 to 11. The majority of Cozumel’s lodgings are located beachfront near any of the three massive reef sysMany marinas and some hotels offer lessons tems that come close to shore: Colombia, and guided tours for everyone from beginwhich includes a shallow region excellent ning snorkelers to pro divers. Water lovers for snorkeling; Palancar, renowned for its will want to investigate the popular reefs of Most Accommodating underwater caves and gardens; and Santa Farito, Manchones and Chitales, just to name To further accommodate dive enthusiasts, Rosa, best for experienced divers due to its a few. Following is a sampling of the aquatic most of the island’s first-rate hotels offer strong currents. excitement waiting for you in Cancun: on-site dive facilities for the convenience of There are more than 30 certified dive Rated five-stars by PADI, Scuba Cancun guests. One of the best examples of this is operators on the island, 11 of which are [www.scubacancun.com.mx] offers packages the Fiesta Americana Cozumel Dive Resort members of the Cozumel Watersport and for divers of all levels of expertise as well as [www.fiestamericana.com], which overlooks Tourism Association [ANOAAT]. Condeep-sea fishing and cave diving packages, tact ANOATT by e-mail at: just to name a few. The AquaWorld Marina anoaat@cozunet.finred.com. in Cancun [www.aquaworld.com.mx] is a mx. For more information haven for water sports aficionados from all ‘SNUBA’ DIVING on Cozumel itself, visit www. walks of life. Visitors can dive here, receive Snuba is a unique, patented shallow-water diving islacozumel.com.mx. PADI open-water certification, tour the system, bridging the gap between snorkeling and Nichupte Lagoon aboard a wave runner, or scuba diving. Snuba is safe, easy and does not snorkel the Great Mayan Reef – the second require certification. Even if your clients have never largest natural reef in the world. Also popuCancun’s snorkeled or can’t swim, Snuba is a viable option. lar with divers is Xcaret, a world-famous Snuba is easily accessible to couples, families, kids Cornucopia eco-park located just a few minutes south of eight years and older, and seniors. It can be found A dazzling array of marine Cancun’s hotel zone. in all the world’s popular dive regions and on most life is on continual display in For additional information, visit www. cruise lines. For details, visit www.snuba.com. Cancun’s crystal-clear seas. cancundiving.net or www.cancun.info. A TRAVEL AGENT UNIVERSITY PROGRAM DIVE SPECIALIST 9 http://www.cozumelparks.com http://www.cozumelparks.com http://www.dolphindiscovery.com http://www.scubacancun.com.mx http://www.fiestamericana.com http://www.aquaworld.com.mx http://www.islacozumel.com.mx http://www.islacozumel.com.mx http://www.cancundiving.net http://www.snuba.com http://www.cancundiving.net http://www.cancun.info
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