Half Moon Bay, immediately north of Akumal Bay, is the quieter alternative for snorkelers who want to skip the turtle crowds. The reef sits close to shore — a hundred metres of swimming and you are over the wall, where parrotfish, angelfish, and the occasional eagle ray patrol the coral.
There is no organised entry point; just walk down one of the public access paths from the road. The beach itself is narrow and rocky in places, so most snorkellers wade in from the small sand patches between the rocks. Bring fins, water shoes, and a mask.