This was the second year we were at the Grand Mayan hotel. The artificial reef was really awesome. We went out to the artificial reef multiple times and each time saw some really cool stuff.

We saw squid like last year but this time there were 3. Also saw a large Trigger fish and Angel fish; we had seen it last year also.

But there was some really cool new stuff. This year was the year of the” The giants from the deep”

A 5 ft nurse shark at the bottom of one of the cement pots. The shark was sitting calmly at the bottom, just hanging out. This is the first time I have seen a shark in the wild……it was awesome.

Two large puffer fish, one about 4-5 ft and the other about 1 ft. It is hard to gauge size in the water but these were big. I never knew puffers could get this large.
Also saw a really big starfish.

A large colorful trigger fish, it was OK with our presence but when we got too close it darted into the cement pots.

We also noticed a lot of large snails, conchs, anemones and soft coral growing on the artificial reef (cement pots). Horned coral of different types were growing, yellow, red, blue; we did not see this many last year.

To get to the reef from the beach was not as much of challenge since we knew the way this time. You have to go out near the area where the jet skis are. You can see a path with only sand, no rocks, we took that until the rocks are 6 inches or so below your belly and then take a sharp left towards the bounty line. If you go to the tight you will be going towards the zone where the boats land……we did not go that way. The hotel has a great reef (artificial) growing right off the beach with a lot of cool creatures in it. Stuff we have not seen in other places. This is a great place to snorkel

We saw more snorkelers in the water at this resort than any place we've ever stayed at! The reason for this is the artificial reef put down by the resort in an effort to save their beach. Apparently, the ocean floor near the beach had much more sand until a few recent hurricanes sucked it all out to sea. The resort is mulling over the idea of dredging to re-sand the beach entry. Meanwhile, they have sunk dozens of massive cement reef balls which have top and side holes...perfect little homes for lots of fish. We saw tons of gorgeous fish here. The only negative I could say about the snorkeling is that the surf tended to churn up the floor which made for poor visibility at times. Nonetheless, we really enjoyed it and saw some great fish. If you swim out and under the rope buoy, you'll run right into the artificial reef. If the tide is high, you can snorkel right over the pots. Peek inside all of them (but don't go in them!). I got a real treat when I saw the largest French Angelfish I've ever seen staring back at me! We saw lots of French Angelfish, Blue Tang, and Sergeant Majors. We also saw a Barracuda and a Yellow Stingray. Swim under the pier for schools of silver fish.