Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Snorkeling

Snorkeling (reply)

ZihuaRob — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 15:39:36 +0000

I realize this thread is a few months old, but I was wondering if it's true that Playa Manzanillo offers the best snorkeling in the area? If so, is there a good tour outfit that we could rely on to take a few people out in October? We have a day at port, on NCL Sun ship, and I'd love to go snorkeling...

If our municipal pier is rebuilt by then and the ship actually anchors in our bay then one of the options available to folks on the ship will be a tour on the Picante sailing catamaran, and I believe they offer a Manzanillo tour. The folks of the Picante do a terrific job providing unforgettable experiences. I highly recommend them.

www.picantecruises.com

Snorkeling (reply)

LadyM in Zihua — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 15:29:01 +0000

I realize this thread is a few months old, but I was wondering if it's true that Playa Manzanillo offers the best snorkeling in the area? If so, is there a good tour outfit that we could rely on to take a few people out in October? We have a day at port, on NCL Sun ship, and I'd love to go snorkeling...

Julio's Tours takes people there frequently and is a good person to go with. They are very reliable. Manzanillo does offer one of the best places to go for snorkeling here in this area.

Snorkeling (reply)

Pauhana — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 15:05:44 +0000

I realize this thread is a few months old, but I was wondering if it's true that Playa Manzanillo offers the best snorkeling in the area? If so, is there a good tour outfit that we could rely on to take a few people out in October? We have a day at port, on NCL Sun ship, and I'd love to go snorkeling...

Snorkeling (reply)

HolyMole — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 04:07:55 +0000

Thanks to everyone - good info. Hope the thread stays around until mid-March.

Snorkeling (reply)

frostbite — Sun, 25 Jan 2015 01:58:59 +0000

While snorkel gear can be rented at both Las Gatas and Isla Ixtapa, I think she'd be happier with equipment that she tries on for a perfect fit at a sporting goods store at home. If she plans on snorkeling at Las Gatas, I'd recommend the outside of the reef, since there's more to see there. Playa Coral at Isla Ixtapa is also good for snorkeling if the surf isn't too heavy. We like to do some fishing en route to the island and then have the folks at El Indio cook up some of our catch while we snorkel. Save the excess tortillas to feed the fish. Some of them will take pieces right out of your hand.

Snorkeling (reply)

norm — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 22:49:58 +0000

Bring mask and snorkle from home,forget fins,go to Ixtapa Island,break saladitas in water and step back for great fun.B ring aquasox rather than fins as bottom can be rockey

Picante for Snorkeling (reply)

dhunsber — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 21:24:10 +0000

I did the Picante Snorkel and Sail tour a few years ago and it was a blast. We had good snorkeling at Manzanillo, and then did spinnaker flying in front of La Ropa after lunch. I highly recommend it!

Rates (reply)

Talley Ho — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 19:26:04 +0000

We are snorkeling/diving snobs.
That said, we went to Isla Ixtapa for the very first time on Thursday. What a great time!!!!!!
Fins, 50p, mask/snorkel, 50p. Quite nice quality, too. Wonderful snorkeling, we suggest it for everyone, even non-snorkelers. You can see lots of stuff in waist deep water.
Be sure to have that extra adult beverage, and take your extra chips and saladitas, and stand in ankle deep water and feed the fish. You'll see at least as many right there as you did snorkeling.
Las Gatas is fun, too, but for us, Isla Ixtapa was a mini-vacation during our many months here.
The rocks at the north end of La Ropa are often quite clear and have great things to see, including turtles, as are the underwater rocks at the south end of the bay. Ask your local SUP person about clarity when you are ready to go out.

Snorkeling (reply)

Sunshine — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 18:46:14 +0000

I bring my own mask and depending on how our packing goes at times the fins also. I recommend bringing a mask at least, they have great deals at Costco for a set in a mesh bag. My hubby always needs his mask as it is prescriptive, he finally see distance under water.

Snorkeling (reply)

jrad — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 18:22:33 +0000

For beginners, Las Gatos would be best, since there will be calm water and no current. In addition, all the gear can be rented. For convenience, the very first restaurant on Las Gatas is the Princess Rebecca. Besides being able to rent all the gear, Marcos and his boys have some easy snorkeling tours to enjoy.

Snorkeling (reply)

Sun Seeker — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 18:04:52 +0000

If you have room, bring your own gear including fins.
The best ones are all one piece and a soft rubber. Very comfortable.
I bought mine at Big 5.

Snorkeling (reply)

ZihuaRob — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 18:02:33 +0000

We're not snorkelers (?) but our daughter is asking if a mask and snorkel can be rented anywhere in Zihua or Ixtapa. Prices? She doesn't want to go on a snorkeling tour per se, but just to try it at maybe Isla Ixtapa, Las Gatas or near the rocks on La Ropa. Swim fins aren't really necessary, right?
Or would she be better just buying her own mask and snorkel back home and bringing them down?

She can buy a decent mask, snorkel, fins and a nylon mesh bag to carry them in at Ixtapa Aqua Paradise at the Barceló in Ixtapa. It's always better to have your own equipment, though I also started out using borrowed stuff, and later I worked on tour boats that provided snorkeling gear to folks who didn't have their own.

At both Isla Ixtapa and Las Gatas gear can be rented. But I think the best deal would be to take a snorkeling trip on the Picante to Playa Manzanillo on Bahía de Potosí. They have snorkeling gear for their passengers who don't bring their own.

Snorkeling (reply)

BarbStratton — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 17:49:53 +0000

PS I agree that fins are really helpful, but I don't bother with them and do fine.

Snorkeling (reply)

BarbStratton — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 17:46:17 +0000

Years ago I rented snorkeling stuff at Las Gatas, and I've seen it for rent there since, as well as at Isla Ixtapa. Whether she rents or brings her own depends on how much she plans to use the equip. and whether she has room in her bags. When I rented, I think the cost was the equivalent of 5$ US for an afternoon. For myself I prefer to bring my own now to be sure it's in good shape, and I use it a fair amount.

Snorkeling (reply)

Oeste Hermoso — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 17:45:04 +0000

I usually bring my own as it is convenient when you just want to go off la Ropa etc. I have purchased in Ixtapa. Fins make for a better snorkel.

Snorkeling

HolyMole — Sat, 24 Jan 2015 17:34:01 +0000

We're not snorkelers (?) but our daughter is asking if a mask and snorkel can be rented anywhere in Zihua or Ixtapa. Prices? She doesn't want to go on a snorkeling tour per se, but just to try it at maybe Isla Ixtapa, Las Gatas or near the rocks on La Ropa. Swim fins aren't really necessary, right?
Or would she be better just buying her own mask and snorkel back home and bringing them down?