Best Snorkel Experiences in Cancun

The diversity of things to see and do in Cancun during your vacation is enormous. For that reason, you are sure to have an itinerary full of activities and unforgettable experiences. Whether you are looking for party, tranquility or both, in this destination you will find everything you are looking for.

The amount of tours and activities in Cancun makes it an ideal place for group vacations, family vacations, couple vacations and also for solo travelers, as there is always something entertaining to do. If you like snorkeling, Cancun is the place for you.

In this type of excursion you will drive your own boat through the bay of Cancun until you reach the Nichupte lagoon, where your guide will take you to see the Mayan mangroves. After about 35 minutes of sailing you will arrive at Punta Nizuc reef.

The coral reef of Punta Nizuc is one of the best places to snorkel in Cancun. While snorkeling you will be able to see and interact with the amazing marine fauna of the region, in total safety thanks to the team of professionals that will accompany you. This type of excursion includes the rental of the necessary equipment for snorkeling, the rental of the boat and a bilingual guide.

The price does not usually include food and beverages (except for a bottle of water per person) and the "dock fee", which is around 12 euros per person.

If you like to sail, but prefer to have someone else drive the boat for you, you can opt for a Cancun boat tour that includes the option of snorkeling.

Interesting details

• Price: from 58 euros per person plus dock fee of 12 euros.
• Duration: about 2 hours.

In this type of tour you will be able to live an experience full of adrenaline, as it includes a ride in an off-road vehicle through the Mayan jungle, snorkeling, zip lines and swimming in a cenote.

They are usually done in the Cenotes Route in Puerto Morelos, since it is considered the best area for this type of activities.

The cenotes of Cancun were considered sacred places by the ancient Mayas and diving in their waters is a magical experience that you will remember all your life.

On the other hand, if you like heights I recommend you to jump on a zip line through the jungle trees. It is an experience you will love and is the ideal complement to a day of diving and adventure.

Some of these tours include a typical Mexican lunch in the price and water, but only one bottle per person. For this reason it is a good idea to bring your own water reserves.

Cancun ATV tours also take you to other areas, such as the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park, which is also ideal for snorkeling.

Details of interest

• Price: about 122 euros per person.
• Duration: about 7 hours.

On these snorkeling tours, you will do several different snorkeling stops, between 3 or 4 depending on the options available. These include snorkeling among the wrecks of a shipwreck.

Before going out to sea you will be given a class and you will be informed about the safety measures by the people in charge of the activity.

One of the stops you will make is to swim with turtles among the colorful coral reefs. The turtle sighting is not insured, but the great variety of fish is equally attractive; in this type of tour, the company offers an insurance to the clients included in the price.

If this activity has left you with more desire to know the life of the reefs, I recommend you to visit the Puerto Morelos Reef National Park.

Details of interest

• Price: from 72 euros per person plus the "dock fee" of 12 euros approximately.
• Duration: 3 and a half hours.

Snorkelingwith sharks is not for everyone, as it takes, from my point of view, a lot of courage. If you are one of the brave travelers, this experience will fascinate you.

You will actually dive with whale sharks, sweet giants of the Yucatan Peninsula that are not dangerous. Your guide will be a marine biologist who will explain everything you need to know about this species.

You will also see dolphins, turtles and manta rays. My advice is to take advantage of your guide's professional knowledge to learn about these marine species and their environment.

This activity is available for children from 8 years old, so you can do it with your children if they are already that age and are not afraid of these large aquatic animals.

Interesting details

• Price: from 134 euros per person, lunch and transfers included. You must pay the dock fee.
• Duration: about 7 hours.

In this type of experience, you will travel by boat, sailboat or catamaran (depending on what you have booked) to Isla Mujeres.

Many of the options include breakfast, lunch and an open bar during the entire navigation. In fact, Cancun catamaran tours and boat excursions offer a wide variety of extra services from snorkeling to on-board parties.

You will have the opportunity to snorkel the island and then tour it at your own pace. If you then want to get to know the island in more time and depth, I recommend you take an excursion to Isla Mujeres where you can visit the main attractions of the area.

These tours include snorkeling equipment rental and, depending on the option, also a visit to the interesting Underwater Museum of Art.

Finally, some of these excursions also include food, drinks and, in some cases, they will pick you up and take you back to your hotel. What is rarely included is the dock tax.

Details of interest

• Price: from 46 euros per person for the most basic options, plus dock tax of around 12 euros.
• Duration: approximately 7 hours.

If you decide to take this snorkeling excursion, you will be one of the few privileged to visit the beautiful Cantoy Island and, in addition, you will have the opportunity to dive in the Ixlaché reef.

These tours go through the national park where several turtles and more than 150 species of birds live protected. The entrance fee to Cantoy Island National Park is included in the tour price.

The best thing is that you will have a specialized guide who will teach you all about the species that inhabit the island. After diving, you will have enough time to go hiking if you wish.

Diving equipment rental is included in the price. A continental breakfast and lunch is usually served during the navigation, and there is an open bar. In addition, you will be picked up and taken back to the hotel at no extra cost.

Details of interest

• Price: from 132 euros per person plus dock fee.
• Duration: about 8 hours.

During these excursions you have the opportunity to visit two of the most beautiful cenotes of the Yucatan Peninsula: Sac Actun and Nohoch Nah Chich, where you can snorkel.

The excursions to the cenotes in Cancun are very popular activities among visitors, since the best cenotes in the world are located in this region.

After snorkeling, the excursion continues with a zip line adventure. You can also rappel through the jungle vegetation and the cenotes themselves. In addition, you will experience the mysticism of a Mayan purification rite before lunch, an activity only available on these tours.

This type of excursion usually also includes a buffet lunch and drinks. The transfer to and from the hotel is also included in the price.

Details of interest

• Price: from 103 euros per person plus dock fee.
• Duration: about 7 hours.

This is one of the many activities to do in Cancun with kids, as it is an incredible experience.

With these tours, it is possible to combine an exciting ride through a mangrove swamp with a ride on a boat with a glass bottom in the style of a submarine.

After spending some time sailing and observing the marine fauna in the submarine, you will have the opportunity to snorkel safely on this family-friendly tour.

In this option the snorkeling tour has to be selected at the time of booking. No transfers, meals or beverages are included. The departure point is Aquaworld, located in Cancun's marina, easily reached by cab.

Details of interest

• Price: from 45 euros for the basic option plus dock tax.
• Duration: about 4 hours.

The activities start at the beautiful Akumal beach, one of the best beaches in Cancun. This is where the preparation begins before entering the sea.

In these sea turtle watching and cenotes snorkeling tours you will be able to swim with 3 different species of sea turtles in their natural habitat. You will also have the opportunity to observe a great variety of tropical fish and rays.

Lunch is not included in the price, but you will be given snacks, fruits and empanadas according to availability. Transfer to and from the hotel is usually included in the price, but you will have to pay a separate dock fee of approximately 12 euros per person.

In my opinion, if your trip to Cancun is short, this is one of the things to see and do in a 3-day itinerary.

Details of interest

• Price: from 92 euros per person approximately plus dock fee.
• Duration: about 5 hours.

This snorkeling tour option is very complete because it also includes a visit to the Tulum Ruins and some cenotes. The site is one of the most important archaeological sites in Mexico.

During this tour you will be able to snorkel in the coral reefs of the Caribbean and, after lunch, visit the cenotes and caves of the region. This type of tour is ideal to include in your itinerary of things to see and do in Cancun in 5 days, or in three days because in one tour you get to do three of the most popular activities.

Meals, drinks, entrance fees to the different places you will visit and transfers to and from the hotel are included in the price. You must pay a separate dock fee of about 12 euros per person.

If you have enough time to spend in Cancun, I recommend you to make a specific excursion to Tulum, because the place is very worthwhile.

Details of interest

• Price: from 95 euros per person approximately plus the dock fee of 12 euros.
• Duration: about 8 hours.