Yal-ku Nature Preserve

Yal-ku Nature Preserve

Was your snorkeling experience at Akumal river an exciting one? If so, then you will be excited to check out is Yal-Ku. This lagoon has all the necessary features that makes it the perfect place to take part in donning a masking and flippers. You can easily find this lagoon in Akumal and get to this it without much stress. For you to get here you will have to follow the major roadway that leads directly to Akumal by using the highway route. When you follow the route, to the left you will come to discover the Yal-Ku Lagoon. On the road to Akumal, there are a variety of vacation apartments and hotels for tourists to rent. There are clear signs on the road leading to Yal-Ku that will direct you throughout your journey and thankfully there is also a parking for your vehicle.

This lagoon is a combination of the pure water that comes out from the Yucatan’s underwater system and the water from a lesser lagoon around the area. The water down here is called considered striated given the fact that the pure water mixes with salt water to produce a dull water appearance. One thing that fascinates me about the Yal-Ku Lagoon is that you get the chance to view an array of fish species while enjoying your snorkeling activity and this is the area where you get to enjoy a lower temperature from the fresh water.

According to the Mayan language, Yal-Ku implies wonderful and this name is exactly an indicator of the features of this lagoon. The area that covers this place is also well-designed with routes, palapas and many more. This lagoon is also well known for having some of the best artworks. You will get to see a variety of well-decorated sculptures placed on the rocks, the alley, and many other areas around the Lagoon. The design of the carving comes in a variety of designs ranging from the antiquated style all the way to modern designs which makes for a really refreshing experience. Yal-Ku has entertaining activities for you to indulge in whether it is the exhibition of artworks, swimming and other activities you can also have a good time when coming over. Always have it in mind that you should arrive early because Yal-Ku is usually crowded mid day.

While there are an array of fish in the Yal-Ku lagoon; you won’t usually find the ray fish and sea turtle. Other fish you can discover are the starfish, hamlets, urchins (be sure to protect your feet) and many more Caribbean fish. The sea also has a mangrove root and between these roots, you can always discover some other fish.

Asides from basking in the beauty of the water you should also stare at the sky and discover some of the best Caribbean birds, one popular species you will always find are the blue herons. There are other beautiful birds you will get to discover ranging from the gulls to cranes and many more, when it comes to land there are animals like the snake, coatis, and many more animals.

In order for swimmers to have a better swimming experience, there are steps and passages that aid your access into the lagoon. One more benefit of the Yal-Ku lagoon is that when it becomes difficult to have a swimming session at the beaches around, the lagoon becomes the best option to go with for swimming given the fact that the sea is safe and serene. One exciting feature about this lagoon is that it poses no difficulty in finding your way through and the depth is just between six to ten feet. This makes it very easy to use for both amateur and professional swimmers or snorkelers. When you proceed to the ocean areas you will come to realize that there is a change in the size of the fishes and this is mostly because you are at the beginning part of the sea where the water has more depth.

In case you didn’t know, Yal-Ku lagoon is owned by a private company which is all the more reason why this place has top-notch features and a well-secured setting. The snorkeling fee for adults falls around $14 per person. The lagoon also has other necessary facilities ranging from the bathrooms to showers and many more rental facilities. For those who forgot to bring their equipment, there is a store that rents out the snorkeling equipment and other facilities at a very affordable price. There is also a space for food or treats and a safe place to relax or enjoy a picnic. You can choose to spend the whole day here as they also have outdoor rooms in place for staying and having a good time.