I’ve posted pictures before of the natural waterpark, Xel Ha, near Playa del Carmen, Mexico. We spent a day here, while on a Western Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Sea. This is one of my favorite photographs from that day. We floated downstream in a double inner tube and also snorkled in this river. It was an amazing color, with a great number of brightly colored fish.
There is even a big ole scientific explanation for all this beauty, y’all. This is from their website:
The Yucatan Peninsula possesses several geographic idiosyncrasies which disallow the formation of superficial rivers. Continental water flux is regulated by a complex system of underground waterways traveling to and fro between the peninsula and the sea –Xel-Ha represents one of this system’s most important outlets.
From the depths of underground caves, through the mangrove forest, cool freshwater flows into the Xel-Ha Inlet, where it mixes with the warmer seawater. This River, two-thirds of a mile long before reaching the Inlet, is one of the best visual examples of halocline and thermocline phenomena in the world.
Xel-Ha River is an excellent place to snorkel, simultaneously harbouring a number of freshwater and marine fish. There are several platforms along the way to pause and bask in the astonishing surroundings. For those who prefer a more relaxed voyage downstream, enjoying the beautiful natural scenarios from above the water, single and double inner tubes are available at no cost at the River’s starting point.
It wasn’t as relaxing as it looks, actually. We had to “paddle” with our hands and feet, the whole way, to keep from being swept back upstream, or pushed into the spikey plants along the shore!
This photo is for Watery Wednesday. Be sure and visit all the other Watery Wednesday shots form around the world, by clicking here.
When Ginger snaps..... 