Feedback on Cozumel Excursion - Punta Sur Eco-Park and Snorkel

[TimonPumba]

I have searched and haven't been able to find much input on the Cozumel Excursion - Punta Sur Eco-Park and Snorkel. We (my husband, 5 year old and 18 month old) are considering this excursion for our cruise in November.

Does anyone have any feedback on this excursion? If so, is there any food available for purchase? It is a longer excursion so I want to make sure that my children can eat!

I realize that my daughter will be too young to snorkel here (I think I read that the minimum age is 8 years), so does anyone know if the beach is good for playing in the sand?

Thanks!

 

[disneycrazzzy]

We did this excursion on our August 8th cruise.

The excursion begins with the group being escorted from the pier across the street and through the mall (seems circuitous, but it is the only way) to an open air bus. The bus takes everybody to the southern tip of the island to the eco-park where drove on a dirt rode next to the protected shoreline where we could see the turtle nests and the tracks of the turtles on the sand. We then stopped at the crocodile lagoon where we saw iguanas and a large crocodile. There was a somewhat rickety-looking observation tower that I climbed up to view the lagoon as well. Lots of water birds around too. There was a small mayan ruin here as well. Next stop was at the lighthouse. The lighthouse has a very narrow staircase of 125 stairs to the top. The view was nice. The last few flights had very low clearance and I almost had to get onto my hands and knees to get through the small (maybe 3' tall doorway) at the top. Going down while others were going up (or visa versa) was not fun. There we a lot of jeeps and dune buggies parked here as well...assuming for other tours. Lastly, we traveled to the beach where there was a nice facility....bathrooms, showers, small gift shop, bar, snorkel hut.

Our tour guide had us get our snorkel gear and after a brief safety talk we headed quite a ways up the beach where we entered the water, swam out maybe 200 yards to the reef which we snorkeled along for maybe 500 yards and then we swam back to the beach. The snorkeling was easy for me, but a lot of people had problems. I think some of the children weren't 8 years old and I saw one mother have a heck of a time swimming back against the current with her two small kids in tow. We saw a spotted ray, several hawksbill turtles, some coral on the reef, and quite a few fish. We probably were on top of the reef for 20 mins. The water was very clear. The walk back to our starting point was very long, hot, and tiring.

Water and soda was provided on the bus and at the beach. I didn't see any food available (but I wasn't looking either).

Overall we were pleased with the excursion. We wished there had been food, but that would have made it even longer.....

The beach had quite a steep entry and the water got deep quickly...waist deep within a few feet. The sand was nice, but I wouldn't think it would be the best for small children.

 

[WendyinMaryland]

I was on that same Aug 8 cruise, and on that same excursion. My only problem with it was that it was about 2 hours longer than advertised. Some people were upset because they had planned to shop before getting on the ship, but by the time we got back it was kinda late and everyone was starving and tired.
My nine year old and I did fine with the snorkeling (she is on a swim team, so her endurance is very good), but a lot of people really were not in sufficient shape for the hour long swim. I saw the same things as the last poster, one mom in particular was really have a tough time with her kids.

 

[TimonPumba]

Thanks for the feedback! Perhaps I will look for an excursion that is a bit more friendly for young children.

 

[Silverfox97]

Can anyone else offer any more recent feedback on this excursion? I have it planned for our Oct cruise for myself, DH, and our DD, who is 4. From above, it doesn't sound very child friendly. I have heard people rave on Xcaret, Channakab, and Nacci Coccum (I am sure NONE are spelled right!!), but we don't want to spend all day at a beach, plus, Xcaret is a little pricey (and DD is too young). We'll be going on another Western next Dec., and may do something different then.

We chose the Eco Park excursion because it has something for everyone (seemingly) - and at the end, thoght DD & I could swim while DH snorkled, but I am not liking the sound that it takes 2 hours longer (definitely want to get some shopping it!!!)....................

Anyone else can help please??

 

[Silverfox97]

Bump...........

Anyone??

 

[jasec2]

We are doing the Western on the Magic in Feb and will be traveling with my boys who will be 3 and 4. I have been looking into excursions and reading things about the three you mentioned. Here is what I have found and my thoughts (for what it's worth):
Xcaret: it sounds really great. My parents visited a few years ago and loved it. I eliminated this because it is a 7 hour excursion. I think I will need to get the boys back to the ship after about 4 hours for rest time. Plus you have a take a ferry to the mainland and I think that the whole thing will be too much for them at these ages.
Chankuabb (sp): We considered this as well but, after reading some reviews, I am not sure. A couple of reviews I read mentioned that you needed to climb down a ladder to get into the water. While the snorkeling is supposed to be great, the boys won't be doing that and I would rather have a beach with sand for the them to play at. If anyone has some more info about the beach there, I would be interested.
Nachi Cuomo: I think this is what we will go with but possibly on our own. It sounds very nice, the beach looks great (in pics) they have a pool if the boys are tired of the beach and (supposedly) they give you a good lunch. It is a little pricey (I think about $55 per adult) but I would like a nice beach for the boys to swim at. Take a look at the website. Just google it and it will come up. Good luck!

 

[Silverfox97]

We are doing the Western on the Magic in Feb and will be traveling with my boys who will be 3 and 4. I have been looking into excursions and reading things about the three you mentioned. Here is what I have found and my thoughts (for what it's worth):
Xcaret: it sounds really great. My parents visited a few years ago and loved it. I eliminated this because it is a 7 hour excursion. I think I will need to get the boys back to the ship after about 4 hours for rest time. Plus you have a take a ferry to the mainland and I think that the whole thing will be too much for them at these ages.
Chankuabb (sp): We considered this as well but, after reading some reviews, I am not sure. A couple of reviews I read mentioned that you needed to climb down a ladder to get into the water. While the snorkeling is supposed to be great, the boys won't be doing that and I would rather have a beach with sand for the them to play at. If anyone has some more info about the beach there, I would be interested.
Nachi Cuomo: I think this is what we will go with but possibly on our own. It sounds very nice, the beach looks great (in pics) they have a pool if the boys are tired of the beach and (supposedly) they give you a good lunch. It is a little pricey (I think about $55 per adult) but I would like a nice beach for the boys to swim at. Take a look at the website. Just google it and it will come up. Good luck!

Thanks for your reply! I don't think we'll be doing either of those because we definitely don't want to swim in a pool (got one in the 'ole back yard ), and beach is not high on the priority list either. We are more interested in seeing some sights, and doing some shopping. DH wants to snorkel, and DD & I could swim some while he did this if we wanted to. Castaway Cay will more than fill our beach time.............

Xcaret looks nicer than the other Eco Park, but you are right - pricey, & long. So far, I am going to keep this one scheduled..........we'll see!