This week’s guest blog is from James Kelley of Escaping Abroad. After spending time exploring the best of Mexico he has put together a list of 4 unforgettable water adventures for your adventure travel bucket list!

1. Dive Cozumel’s Incredible Reefs

A 40 minute ferry ride from Playa Del Carmen will land you on Mexico’s biggest island – Cozumel. This island is one of the world’s premier destinations for scuba diving enthusiasts because of it’s large, brightly colored reefs. Scuba diving and snorkeling here guarantees you’ll see all kinds of sea life, some of which can be found nowhere else in the world. Not a diver? No problem – you can snorkel, or take a snuba tour!

It’s common to spot eels, turtles, nurse sharks, lobsters, crabs, and a huge variety of Caribbean fish.

Diving in Cozumel’s Incredible Reefs

Diving in Cozumel’s Incredible Reefs

Diving in Cozumel’s Incredible Reefs

Diving in Cozumel’s Incredible Reefs

2. Swim with Turtles

Head over to Akumal’s beautiful beach (just South of Playa Del Carmen), where swimming a few feet off shore you can find yourself surrounded by turtles feeding on sea grass. If you have your own snorkeling gear it’s free (also available to rent on the beach). Swimming next to sea turtles has never been easier (or cheaper)! I’ve been to this beach a dozen times and have never failed to spot turtles in the water.

Swim with turtles in Akumal

3. Refreshing Cenotes

The Yucatan is home to thousands of cenotes (water-filled sinkholes), dozens of which are easily traveled to and safe to swim in. Many of these cenotes are mixed with freshwater and saltwater creating unique haloclines, and amazingly clear water. There’s nothing more refreshing than taking a dip in a cool freshwater pool on a humid day. If you’re feeling adventurous enough you can suit up and go scuba diving inside these underwater caves too!

Yucatan’s Refreshing Cenotes

4. Swim with whale sharks

Visit during the season (May-September) and it’s possible to plunge yourself into the water with dozens, and sometimes hundreds of whale sharks. They are the biggest fish on earth but don’t worry – they’re also gentle and relatively slow. Whale sharks spend their days feeding on microscopic plankton, not humans! The 2 hour bumpy boat ride isn’t fun, but this is sure to be an experience you will never forget. If you’re lucky you will also spot large manta rays and other fish during these tours as well.

Swimming with whale sharks. Mexico

James Kelley is a U.S. born and raised 20-something who has worked in an office his entire life. The average “American dream” is his nightmare – he would much prefer to be traveling through far away lands.

The few weeks a year he could manage to get for vacation were never going to be enough to satisfy the burning desire he has for travel. He knew that he had leave it all behind for the adventure and excitement of a life without boundaries or borders – so he quit his office job, sold everything and left to live abroad in June, 2013.

His blog, Escaping Abroad is about his journey traveling across the globe, exploring as much of the world as he can, and his experiences along the way. Follow James on Facebook and Twitter.