Cancun Mexico 2025 Day 8 - Puerto Maya Speed Boating and Snorkeling

No rest for us today despite a very full on day at Isla Mujeres yesterday. Today we were once again up early to catch a bus back to Cancun, only this time it was to Puerto Maya where we had a morning of speed boating across the lagoon followed by another snorkeling experience and then lunch. 

Once we arrived at Puerto Maya there was a small show with characters dressed in old Mayan costumes who once again performed a ceremony to ward of evil spirits before we were let loose out on the lagoon in speed boats.

We then had a briefing on the "rules" for the speed boat and got fitted up for life jackets and snorkeling equipment before heading out on the lagoon. As we were a 5 we had a family boat with me, Brandon and Holly. Then Tina and Joshua had their own 2 seater speed boat. One of the rules was that you had to be 18 and have a licence to drive the boats  and so on the way out to the snorkel site I drove the family boat and Tina drove the other boat. On the way back we were a bit sneaky though and Joshua took over the helm instead of Tina and then I let Brandon and Holly have a go at steering our boat.

It was an absolute blast on the lagoon and the boats were pretty rapid. On the way back I started messing around a little meandering side to side trying to jump the wake of Joshua's boat which was in front of us. The tour guide somehow caught me doing this despite being about 6 boats in front of us and stopped all of our group on the lagoon to give me a quick telling off! So I had to behave for the rest of the trip back.

The snorkeling was pretty good. Not quite as many fish as yesterday at Garrafen but there was an old Mayan monument which looked like Mayan's sitting around a table. Made for an interesting snorkel.

After lunch we got the coach back to our resort where the boys went up to the room for some chill time after a couple of full on days. Me and H hung out down by the pool and was treated to an epic bubble pool party which was just manic, but fun.

Mayan characters dressed up and ready for a pre-boat trip show.

You would never get away with this costume back home. A white man painted black so that the skeleton shows.

The drummer performing the Mayan tribal music.

Tina and H with some of the Mayan monuments.

We headed inland past some more monuments to a replica temple for a show.

A small temple was the setting for the Mayan show.

Then it was back through the trees using some very wobbly rope bridges.

Joshua on the rope bridges.

And Holly.

Once we were back it was time for our family to be blessed to ward of evil spirits.

Not sure what they were burning but the smoke smelled lovely.

Family picture at Puerto Maya.

Get a whiff of that.

Brandon getting a face full.

Each family going out on the boats got up one by one for this blessing.

I think he was trying not to laugh at my Hawaiian shark shirt.

And we are done. Now for the boats.

Tina and Joshua shared a 2 seater.

Tina drove on the way out and seemed much slower than our boat.

Brandon and Holly picked the fun boat with the lunatic driver.

Moments before Brandon's hat blew off and was forever lost in the Cancun lagoon.

Luckily my boonie was strapped on and went nowhere.

The slow ones.

The fast ones.

Tina and Joshua trying to keep up with us.

You get some pretty decent speed in these little boats.

But we were quicker.

Trusting a woman at the helm. Josh looks nervous.

Full power.

Tina and Josh again.

Josh holding on for dear life.

It may have been the family boat, but we were quick!

Such good fun. Holly looking to see how far back Tina and Josh were.

There they are.

At times it felt like we were getting some airtime.

And loads of salt water splashing in to our face.

Me, Brandon and Holly.

Definitely getting some airtime.

And leaving a good wake behind us.

Going through a little jungle part of the lagoon.

Under some bridges.

Time to pull up aside each other and jump overboard for a snorkel.

Calmer waters here.

Time to cool off in the water.

Hopefully there are no gators in there.

Joshua sneaking a drive on the way back.

Some of the colourful fish we saw whilst snorkeling.

More fishies.

Holly now super confident in the water and around fish.

Brandon went tearing off and was hard to keep up with.

Some of the reef.

More fish.

And then we found the underwater Mayan sculpture.

Looks like they are praying around a table.

We were not allowed to swim over the top so that the monument isn't damaged.

6 Mayan's sitting around a hexagon shape with what looks like a table in the middle.

I might have accidentally swam over the top to get some better pictures.

And again. Looks like coral and small fish have taken to the monument.

More fishies.

This coral looks like one of those drawing puzzles where you have to navigate to the exit.

Joshua had a few problems snorkeling as his fins were too loose!

But he did his best and luckily is a strong swimmer.

It was his own fault though as we were told to try the fins on before leaving.

More coral.

And more fishies.

The bubble party in the main pool was absolutely bedlam.

The bubble canons were pumping out for about half an hour.

It was ok until you got a face full with the taste of bubbles in your mouth.

The bubbles got so think and high that it was hard to keep an eye on Holly most of the time.

Me and H having fun in the bubbles.

Loud music, bubbles and beach balls being hit everywhere.

Holly getting buried in bubbles.

Haha.

The pool was absolutely rammed for the bubble party.

Holly playing with some bubbles.

Good job "dad-cam" is water and bubble proof.

Holly thought it was amusing to give me some bubble hair!

Interesting hairstyle.

Holly launches one of the beach balls.

And then after the manic pool party we chill out for a drink at the pool bar.