More free shore snorkeling photos from inside Zihua Bay

I put together a slideshow on Youtube to show some of the fish that we saw over two weeks at Christmas . All shots are from either Las Gatas , the south shore between Las Gatas and La Ropa and all around the big rock at the north end of La Ropa and around to the deeper water on the Madera side . Water clarity varies by the hour and day with tidal changes and agitation turbidity from the many feet at Las Gatas and the south end of the bay from La Ropa but conditions are usually good at one of the locations with outside the wall at Las Gatas being the most dependable . The south shore is rarely used and you have the whole thing to yourself most of the time . The south shore is an excellent afternoon option so you don't have to get up early for best results . In fact the south shore is shaded by the mountain through most mornings and this offers some good viewing between shade and sunny areas . You must watch for rogue waves , urchins , getting too shallow and always watch for boats . I've found the professional drivers to be courteous and watchful but they might still miss seeing you and then there are rented Jet Skis . I have tried to put the words free shore snokeling or snorkelling , in most local snorkel posts as a search term for others to use . Here is one with photos from November , www.zihuatanejo.net/tablero/thread/64610.html

All images have been altered in Picasa and I have included some "grainy" shots to show extra species and diversity .


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vANMuaSdLBE

I also posted a youtube video of a large coral patch outside the rock wall at Las Gatas , at the mid point , in 4 feet of water . A very large area of one type of low coral with some scrawled filefish at the end , in camo gear.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaXJtxXMIsE

I've got video of the octopus and a huge school of yellowtailed surgeonfish by the intrawest rock to post later .

Please be happy always