Why is Playa del Carmen's Water so Blue?

Playa del Carmen is well-known for several reasons and has many attractive features that make it one of the world’s favourite tourist destinations, although its most attractive feature, without a doubt, are its world renowned stunning beaches.
Brilliant white sand offsetting one of the bluest oceans you will ever lay eyes upon, changing in hue from a bright turquoise in the shallows to a deep blue as you continue further out into the depths. But have you ever wondered why the ocean is blue and, more importantly, what makes the Caribbean ocean of the Riviera Maya so much more beautiful than most other ocean spanse in the world?
Well there are several reasons for the breath-taking appearance of Playa del Carmen’s beach-front views –
As you may or may not know, the blue hue of the ocean is caused by absorption of the red end of the visible spectrum, as water molecules scatter the blue components of sunlight far more than the red and yellow components. Thus with primarily blue light left to be reflected, so the deeper you go, the bluer the ocean appears and the reason why in the shallows the water starts to take on a slightly more green hue.
As for why Playa del Carmen’s sea is so much “bluer” and so much clearer than other parts of the world can put down to two major factors. Firstly, white sand combined with relatively shallow waters cause much more of the sunlight to be reflected, adding to the vibrancy of the oceans color. Secondly, there is less iron in Caribbean waters. Iron causes the growth of algae in the water, causing the existence of far more floating particles and microscopic life that, in turn, cause the water to be a much darker color. Colder water also creates more iron to release into the ocean, so adding the Yucatan’s year round fantastic weather only multiplies this effect.
This is also the reason this little location is also one of the world’s best and most popular diving and snorkeling locations, with Playa del Carmen and the nearby island of Cozumel being inundated with dive shops and tour operators that allow people living and vacationing to have an unforgettable experience.
So no matter whether you’re interested in simply relaxing lazily by a breathtaking beach and taking a dip in the refreshing waters or wish to experience a closer view of some of the world’s most spectacular reefs, Playa del Carmen makes for a sensational destination for both vacationers and those seeking a more permanent paradisiacal home alike.
Eduardo from All About Playa

Eduardo from All About Playa

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All About Playa

Playa del Carmen is the perfect destination for those who want to relax on beautiful beaches, enjoy a vibrant nightlife or experience a variety of activities and attractions.

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