HEY TOM! - Paradise Beach

[copper6606]

Thanks for the quick response- I'll see you in Oct.!

[NYCRUISR]

Hello Everyone:

 

I have been asked by the nice folks over at Paradise Beach to post the information below. Please note that doing so does not constitute an opinion by Cruise Critic on the information posted. Cruise Critic is often asked to post information from cruise lines or cruise-related businesses, and we will do so for the benefit of our members. The information below as been posted in its entirety.

 

Laura

_________________________________________________

Hi Everyone,

I would like to thank Community Manager Laura S. and cruise Critic for allowing me to respond to the comments and pics posted by in the last few days.

The short answer is that it's the work of Mother Nature. It's just rainwater that overflows from the property next door. Of course the water sits there for a long while before it accumulates enough to overflow, and by that time it has aquired a tea-like tint from all the dead leaves and plant life that's been marinating in it for a long time. June and July was unusually rainy with almost 50 inches of precipitation in those 2 months.

June- http://www.wunderground.com/history/station/76649/2010/6/12/MonthlyHistory.html

July- http://www.wunderground.com/history/station/76649/2010/7/12/MonthlyHistory.html

All this rain filled up the mangroves until they overflowed into the ocean. Cozumel is full of mangroves and underground rivers. When it rains, freshwater gets flushed out to the sea. Simple explanation.

As for the outfall (outflow?) pipe. There is no outflow pipe. I checked yesterday and again today but didn't find anything. And why would I? It's an empty lot, no business or house sits there, so outflow from...what exactly? It's just a mangrove. And if you think that it could be us pumping nasty stuff into the water, well, what could we possibly have to gain from doing that to our clients and ourselves? My family and I swim in that water too most Sundays! As well, if there really was a pipe, don't you think the OP would have posted a pic of it?

A lot of people tend to think that Mexico is like the Wild West; no laws, do what you want kind of attitude. Well that's certainly not the case in Cozumel. We have several regulatory agencies that make the rounds checking up on the beach clubs. There's SEMARNAT (The Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources) http://www.semarnat.gob.mx/English/Pages/home.aspx, PROFEPA (The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection) and our local Marine Park; http://www.aquasafari.com/marinepk.html

In addition, there's also another agency that tests the waters all around Cozumel looking for contamination. Here's a link to an article who's headline reads: COZUMEL'S BEACHES FREE OF CONAMINATION....

http://www.sipse.com/noticias/53546-tiene-cozumel-playas-libres-contaminacion.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

As if that wasn't enough, all beach clubs must have their own water treatment system. We have a huge one on our property across the street, tours available on request!

As for the "stuff" on the sand and what our crew was straining out of the water. Well, that's called seaweed. The ocean is full of it! The high winds from the June/July storms blew it onto the shore where we cleaned it off our beach, and tried to clean it from our waters before it hit the beach.

The pics taken look of the seaweed was on the neighbour's property. You can see that our beach is clear of seaweed in his pic of our crew clearing it from the water. Of course, now that it hasn't rained much for weeks, the mangrove is pretty well dried up and no more water is overflowing into the ocean. There is no more seaweed floating in the ocean either.

 

Anyway, there it is. A simple explanation. No sinister goings on, I promise! BTW, all beach clubs have Managers on duty who would be more than happy to answer your questions, be it about the food, beach toys, "stuff" on the beach or the surrounding nature. Don't be shy, if you're really curious/concerned about something, just ask us. We can put your mind to ease right away!

Hasta la vista, Amigos!

 

Tom

______________________________________________

In response to Tom's response

 

As I stated initially, I had been to your beach a number of times in the past and was very happy to be there. The object of my review was not to trash your establishment or hurt your business. We as travelers come to destinations like Cozumel with our continued high opinions of the place and our expectations are high that it will always be the great place to go. That being said, when you walk in the door, pay your beach fee and THEN see what I saw.... not all happy campers. Nothing like telling us that "NATURE " has made the place less than attractive right now and perhaps you might want to "TAKE A LOOK AROUND FIRST."

I will agree with you that much of what was on the neighboring beach is seaweed, however, those guys sifting the water were getting out something else. It was dark and clumpy. If that was seaweed, then it is something that I have never seen before and I have lived near the shore on Long Island, NY my entire life. There were many folks on the beach that day that were not happy at all ( and not just my group). As far taking a picture of where the "flow" of water was coming from.....I wasn't going in there.

I'll give you credit for trying, but at this time your water quality pales in comparison to places like ....Grand Caymans seven mile beach. However, the beer was in fact cold.:p

As of now, for us ( or any of my groups) to return to your beach we would be planning it only as a sand, beer and food stop at best. At least for now, until I see it looking better again.

 

Sorry.... my only interest in this is to inform my fellow cruisers. I thought they should see what I observed.

[gometros]

In response to Tom's response

 

As I stated initially, I had been to your beach a number of times in the past and was very happy to be there. The object of my review was not to trash your establishment or hurt your business. We as travelers come to destinations like Cozumel with our continued high opinions of the place and our expectations are high that it will always be the great place to go. That being said, when you walk in the door, pay your beach fee and THEN see what I saw.... not all happy campers. Nothing like telling us that "NATURE " has made the place less than attractive right now and perhaps you might want to "TAKE A LOOK AROUND FIRST."

I will agree with you that much of what was on the neighboring beach is seaweed, however, those guys sifting the water were getting out something else. It was dark and clumpy. If that was seaweed, then it is something that I have never seen before and I have lived near the shore on Long Island, NY my entire life. There were many folks on the beach that day that were not happy at all ( and not just my group). As far taking a picture of where the "flow" of water was coming from.....I wasn't going in there.

I'll give you credit for trying, but at this time your water quality pales in comparison to places like ....Grand Caymans seven mile beach. However, the beer was in fact cold.:p

As of now, for us ( or any of my groups) to return to your beach we would be planning it only as a sand, beer and food stop at best. At least for now, until I see it looking better again.

 

Sorry.... my only interest in this is to inform my fellow cruisers. I thought they should see what I observed.

 

I grew up on the south shore of Long Island too and from what I can see in those pictures, they still look better than the best day at Long Beach :D

[CarribbeanTina271]

Guess I will just have to check it out myself in 46 days ;)!

 

Thanks Tom for clearing that up.. Not gonna let alittle nature ruin my awesome experiences in Cozumel!

[NYCRUISR]

I grew up on the south shore of Long Island too and from what I can see in those pictures, they still look better than the best day at Long Beach :D

 

We are east enders.... the beaches are great. Was there yesterday in Montauk.

 

However, you want to see fabulous...check out the next pic.

 

This is Seven Mile beach in Grand Cayman. http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy200/nycruisr/LIBERTY/IMG_5212.jpg

[Charles4515]

I'll give you credit for trying, but at this time your water quality pales in comparison to places like ....Grand Caymans seven mile beach. However, the beer was in fact cold.:p

As of now, for us ( or any of my groups) to return to your beach we would be planning it only as a sand, beer and food stop at best. At least for now, until I see it looking better again.

 

Sorry.... my only interest in this is to inform my fellow cruisers. I thought they should see what I observed.

 

I have been to Paradise beach four times and it was always looking good. I am planning to go there again in October and December. Your pictures have not changed my mind. Tom's explanation made sense to me. As far as Seven Mile Beach in Cayman I have been there a lot of times and if there are storms the water is stirred up an murky.

 

If you want to compare beaches, Seven Mile Beach and the Cozumel beaches are good, comparable, but neither holds a candle to the wonderful beaches on St. John in the Virgin islands or Horseshoe Bay and other south shore beaches in Bermuda. Another delicious beach is Holland Americas Half Moon Cay.

[starsteveo]

That was a good explanation and so glad you gave it. I assumed it was natural. I have read on trip advisor about the water some times having an odor, I will assume it is associated with the rain water run off and seaweed rotting. No worries mon. See you guys in October.

[birdy]

Thanks for clearing that up Tom (no pun intended) :) My group of 7 will see you in February.

[melodystrother]

Tom,

Thinking about planning on the Beach excursion in October off Carnival Ectasy and see that the water treatment system as stated in your past post would make the water and food okay to eat .. Considering the excursion is 50.00 or so and I enjoyed the beach on last cruise .. but husband insists no drinks or food while there. He thinks the Corona is fine but thats it. .. Maybe he can tour the water cleaning plant before hand. I just know after swimming we will all be hungry.:o

[ricskill]

Tom, I will be there sept 7.

Will you be in?

[Ari Silversteinner]

I have been to Paradise beach four times and it was always looking good. I am planning to go there again in October and December. Your pictures have not changed my mind. Tom's explanation made sense to me. As far as Seven Mile Beach in Cayman I have been there a lot of times and if there are storms the water is stirred up an murky.

 

If you want to compare beaches, Seven Mile Beach and the Cozumel beaches are good, comparable, but neither holds a candle to the wonderful beaches on St. John in the Virgin islands or Horseshoe Bay and other south shore beaches in Bermuda. Another delicious beach is Holland Americas Half Moon Cay.

 

Charles is exactly correct about Tom being correct. Those two are experts on this subject...and a few others. <wink>

[NYCRUISR]

I have been to Paradise beach four times and it was always looking good. I am planning to go there again in October and December. Your pictures have not changed my mind. Tom's explanation made sense to me. As far as Seven Mile Beach in Cayman I have been there a lot of times and if there are storms the water is stirred up an murky.

 

If you want to compare beaches, Seven Mile Beach and the Cozumel beaches are good, comparable, but neither holds a candle to the wonderful beaches on St. John in the Virgin islands or Horseshoe Bay and other south shore beaches in Bermuda. Another delicious beach is Holland Americas Half Moon Cay.

 

True about storms in Cayman, True about St. John ( as long as the sea is not rolling in) Going to Bermuda next year and hope to see those fine beaches.

[Host CJSKIDS]

In response to Tom's response

 

As I stated initially, I had been to your beach a number of times in the past and was very happy to be there. The object of my review was not to trash your establishment or hurt your business. We as travelers come to destinations like Cozumel with our continued high opinions of the place and our expectations are high that it will always be the great place to go. That being said, when you walk in the door, pay your beach fee and THEN see what I saw.... not all happy campers. Nothing like telling us that "NATURE " has made the place less than attractive right now and perhaps you might want to "TAKE A LOOK AROUND FIRST."

I will agree with you that much of what was on the neighboring beach is seaweed, however, those guys sifting the water were getting out something else. It was dark and clumpy. If that was seaweed, then it is something that I have never seen before and I have lived near the shore on Long Island, NY my entire life. There were many folks on the beach that day that were not happy at all ( and not just my group). As far taking a picture of where the "flow" of water was coming from.....I wasn't going in there.

I'll give you credit for trying, but at this time your water quality pales in comparison to places like ....Grand Caymans seven mile beach. However, the beer was in fact cold.:p

As of now, for us ( or any of my groups) to return to your beach we would be planning it only as a sand, beer and food stop at best. At least for now, until I see it looking better again.

 

Sorry.... my only interest in this is to inform my fellow cruisers. I thought they should see what I observed.

 

I can tell you having grown up on Eastern Long Island's south shore on the water and family still living on the water out in the water in the Hamptons and I now live in Naples, Florida, there are things washed up on the beach that I never saw before on the beaches of NY. Add to that the different trees, like the Mangroves, distinct rainy and dry seasons, lots of turned up waters due to the various storm systems and the look and smell of the beach areas can be very different from day to day. Somedays the Gulf is crystal clear and a gorgeous color, sometimes it can be a brownish color. Some of seaweed can be downright stinky!

[Cozumel_Tom]

I have been to Paradise beach four times and it was always looking good. I am planning to go there again in October and December. Your pictures have not changed my mind. Tom's explanation made sense to me. As far as Seven Mile Beach in Cayman I have been there a lot of times and if there are storms the water is stirred up an murky.

 

If you want to compare beaches, Seven Mile Beach and the Cozumel beaches are good, comparable, but neither holds a candle to the wonderful beaches on St. John in the Virgin islands or Horseshoe Bay and other south shore beaches in Bermuda. Another delicious beach is Holland Americas Half Moon Cay.

 

In the 70's when I was a kid, my mother and I would go to Bermuda to stay for about a month in the Summer (friends lived there) and I still remember those gorgeous beaches! Elbow Beach and Jobson's Cove are the only names I remember but yeah...! Memories!:)

[Charles4515]

In the 70's when I was a kid, my mother and I would go to Bermuda to stay for about a month in the Summer (friends lived there) and I still remember those gorgeous beaches! Elbow Beach and Jobson's Cove are the only names I remember but yeah...! Memories!:)

 

You were a lucky kid! When I was a kid we lived in a beach town and could walk to the beach but the water was always cold. It was a nice beach but nothing as good as either Bermuda or Paradise Beach.

[CarribbeanTina271]

Thanks Ashley for the pics...awwww brings back memories!!:)

[outforfun]

Tom, I will be there sept 7.

Will you be in?

Hey, we will also be there Sept. 7th.. Can't hardly wait! This will be our first time, but it sounds like we are going to have a good time... Do you know how many other ships will be there that day? Hopefully, we see you there:D

[saskcruiser]

Just curious what drink prices are like? Thinking if they are too much to do an AI.

 

Might have been posted before, but too many pages to sift through.

[Cozumel_Tom]

You were a lucky kid! When I was a kid we lived in a beach town and could walk to the beach but the water was always cold. It was a nice beach but nothing as good as either Bermuda or Paradise Beach.

 

Yup, looking back I guess we were lucky to have friends living in Bermuda! Before going there though, we drove from Montreal to Hampton Beach N.H. and stayed there for a week or two for a few Summers...:)

[Cozumel_Tom]

Hey, we will also be there Sept. 7th.. Can't hardly wait! This will be our first time, but it sounds like we are going to have a good time... Do you know how many other ships will be there that day? Hopefully, we see you there:D

 

Just you guys! :D

[TheWog]

Yup, looking back I guess we were lucky to have friends living in Bermuda! Before going there though, we drove from Montreal to Hampton Beach N.H. and stayed there for a week or two for a few Summers...:)

 

Hey Tom - Have you heard about the huge fire at Hampton this past winter? Took out a whole block and it is a parking lot for now.

[Cozumel_Tom]

Hey Tom - Have you heard about the huge fire at Hampton this past winter? Took out a whole block and it is a parking lot for now.

 

Nope, but I just googled it...so sad. They say those buildings were 50 years old so I guess I saw them as a kid. And I remember playing in an arcade with slot cars. I wonder if that is the same arcade that burned down?:(

[TheWog]

If you were heading North the boulevard from the State Park area (the only way you can go since it is one way on the beach side, but you know that already :)) and got to the Casino Ballroom area, you would go past the McDonalds and then the next really long block with the arcade and stores and such is the one, so yes, I would say you played in the arcade there as a kid. It was quite the sight when it happened, they had footage on the local news when it happened, it was crazy.

[Cozumel_Tom]

If you were headng North the boulevard from the State Park area (the only way you can go since it is one way on the beach side, but you know that already :)) and got to the Casino Ballroom area, you would go past the McDonalds and then the next really long block with the arcade and stores and such is the one, so yes, I would say you played in the arcade there as a kid. It was quite the sight when it happened, they had footage on the local news when it happened, it was crazy.

 

Yup, saw it on youtube...pretty impressive.

[my fair lady]

I will put up the anti-"Norte" force field for that day! I'll only be at PB for about an hour that day, from about 10:30-11:30AM. I'll be at the bar with a group of people, so swing by and say "HI"!:D

 

Hi Tom,

 

My son is getting married and there will be about 8 of us wanting to come to Paradise Beach, could you help me out with taxi information apx. the cost from the cruise ship and maybe what company to choose. We will be there Nov. 1st.

 

 

Thanks tom, I'll say hi when we get there can't wait.