Cancun is a paradisiac destination for many things, but arguably the top attraction in the city is its picture-perfect beaches. Featuring white-sand shores, palm trees, and the most unreal turquoise sea, it’s the perfect playground both above…and below water!
The Riviera Maya is home to the world’s second-largest coral barrier, which is teeming with corals, colorful fish, and other marine animals, making snorkeling one of the best things to do in Cancun. And don’t get me started on the near-perfect visibility!
You can get a mask on and have a blast right from the shore on Cancun beaches, but for the most spectacular snorkeling sessions, I highly recommend a tour, especially since most of the coral reefs are only accessible by boat.
In this article, I have compiled the best Cancun snorkeling tours to help you choose the perfect activity for you. Keep reading to check them out!
Why can you trust my picks? I’ve traveled around Mexico for more than six months, and quite a few of those were spent in the Cancun area. I couldn’t tell you even if I tried how many times I went snorkeling in the Caribbean Sea!
Besides, I’ve been in the travel industry for over a decade, and I know exactly what to look for in tours to make sure they’re high-quality, respectful to the environment and marine creatures, and worth your while. The ones you’ll find below check all the boxes.
Most of the activities featured in this post are from Viator. I personally use and recommend this platform for booking activities around the world. I especially like its excellent cancelation policy, which allows you to cancel most tours up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Limited time? These are the best options:
| THE BEST TOUR | 5 in 1 Cancun Snorkeling Tour |
| CENOTES TOUR | Tour Cenotes Oasis Maya by Xcaret |
| UNDERWATER MUSEUM | Cancun Underwater Museum Snorkel Tour |
| SNORKEL + TULUM RUINS | Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote |
OUR PICK: The BEST Cancun Snorkeling Tour
One of the most comprehensive excursions is the 5 in 1 Cancun Adventure: Turtles, Reef, Musa, Shipwreck, and Cenote. It’s a small-group experience designed for both beginners and experienced snorkelers, and especially those who get a bit nervous in the water, as your guide will be in the water with you at all times, making sure you feel safe and comfortable.
You’ll jump into the sea and swim in a reef with colorful fish and, if you’re lucky, sea turtles and even rays. Then you’ll visit two galleries of the MUSA Underwater Museum, home to over 500 life-size statues. They’re truly incredible!
After that, your guide will take you to explore a sunken shipwreck, one of the highlights of the tour. But the experience doesn’t end here, as you’ll go back inland to dive into a freshwater cenote, one of Yucatan’s most iconic natural features.
The tour includes all equipment, transportation, and hotel pickup and drop-off from Cancun, so it’s entirely hassle-free, and it’s also family-friendly. Showers and lockers are available as well.
Why is this the best tour? It’s the most comprehensive tour of all. In a single day, you’ll visit five different and highly sought-after snorkeling spots. Besides, good-quality snorkeling gear will be provided so all you have to do is show up and have a good time.
Read what the reviews say:
“I absolutely loved this snorkeling experience! We explored cenotes, coral reefs, statues, a shipwreck, and swam near turtles. All of the locations were super cool. We got to swim around the shipwreck and through it which made me feel like I was exploring the Titanic. The staff called this the Mexican Titanic, that was a good one! Totally recommend this experience, it was fantastic!”
Yanilsa_O – Read more reviews
This tour includes: Roundtrip transportation, snorkeling equipment, showers and lockers and bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Other GREAT Cancun Snorkeling Tours
▶️ The With Turtles, Shipwreck, Cenote, Reef, and Transport Included takes you to swim among tropical fish, coral reefs, and, if you’re lucky, giant sea turtles!
As if swimming with the beautiful marine creatures wasn’t enough, you’ll also get to snorkel through a shipwreck filled with corals.
Professional guides will ensure your safety and comfort, making the trip accessible for newbies. The tour gets an early start, so you get to avoid most of the other snorkeling boats.
This tour includes: Hotel transfers, snorkel gear, a guide, passenger insurance, and bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ Check out this Isla Mujeres Luxury Sailing: Adults Only or Family Friendly. It takes you sailing for over 5 hours on the shimmering Caribbean Sea!
As you make your way to Isla Mujeres, you’ll enjoy stops to snorkel in the warm waters among colorful fish and coral reefs.
Indulge in a tasty gourmet lunch aboard the catamaran, and upon arrival to the island, make the most of your free time to explore its attractions. Finally, relax on the ship sipping drinks from the open bar as you return to the mainland.
This tour includes: Hotel roundtrip transportation, snorkeling gear, lunch, an open bar, and life jackets. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
▶️ The Small-Group Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Snorekling in Puerto Morelos is perfect if you have limited time. With a group of 10 participants and in merely 2 hours, you’ll get to explore the underwater wonders of Puerto Morelos – one of the best places for snorkeling near Cancun!
Snorkel on the world’s second-largest barrier reef, home to some of the most diverse marine life, and enjoy a memorable time in the water. Snorkel gear will be provided, along with refreshments.
Note: The tour doesn’t include transportation from Cancun, but it’s a short cab ride to the site.
This tour includes: Snorkel gear, National Park fees, a guide, and refreshments. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Snorkeling at the Cancun Underwater Museum
The Underwater Museum of Art, MUSA, features more than 500 sculptures that are used to promote coral life in the area. This attraction is located near Cancun, around the island of Isla Mujeres, and offers a unique setting for snorkel adventures.
Join the Cancun Snorkeling Adventure: Underwater Museum, Reef & Shipwreck for a jam-packed half day. You’ll zip toward the iconic museum, where you’ll snorkel among the life-size statues and beautiful art galleries.
Admire the corals and fish that inhabit MUSA, and then dive into El Meco coral reef. If the stars align, you’ll get to swim with rays and turtles, as well as countless fish! Cap off the trip by exploring a shipwreck.
This tour includes: Hotel transfers, snorkel gear, a guide, water, showers and lockers, and extraction service. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Snorkeling in Cenotes in Cancun
The Xcaret 4 Cenotes – Guided Tour – Snacks, Lunch, and Drinks Included offers a full-day eco-adventure. You’ll get to explore the wonderful Yucatan jungle cenotes, one of the region’s gems.
Snorkel in four different sinkholes and caves in Cancun, and paddle through underground caverns. You’ll also get to zipline over a cenote, and rappel down rock walls.
Savor a gourmet picnic lunch, and listen to the cenotes’ folktales from your guide.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transfers, a guide, lunch, refreshments, equipment, and priority access. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
For the Adventurous Ones: Snorkel & Parasail
One of the most adventurous excursions is this Cancun Fly and Swim Parasailing and Snorkeling Combo Tour. It’s a half-day experience that combines two incredibly fun activities in the Caribbean Sea, allowing you to see the turquoise waters from above, and below.
Start with a thrilling 10-minute parasailing flight that takes you up to 260 feet (80 m) in the air, and then spend two hours in the water, stopping at four different locations to snorkel with corals and vibrant fish.
You’ll get to explore a shipwreck, visit the Underwater Museum, and swim by the coral reef.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transfers, equipment for all the activities, a guide, a locker, and bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Cancun Snorkeling at Nichupte Lagoon
The Cancun Speedboat and Snorkel Tour: Shared Speedboat is a fantastic adventure. It combines a visit to the beautiful Punta Nizuc with the exhilaration of cruising around Nichupte Lagoon on a speedboat.
Punta Nizuc is arguably the best place to snorkel in Cancun if you want to explore both the marine life and corals and underwater sculptures. With the provided gear, you’ll snorkel on the coral reef which is rich in marine life.
This snorkeling Cancun tour include: A Bilingual guide, a speedboat ride, life jackets, snorkel gear, and bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Cancun Snorkeling + Tulum Ruins
Want to include some history and culture on your snorkeling tour? Then choose the Viator Exclusive: Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote and Caves.
You’ll start the day with a visit to the Tulum Ruins, a Mayan archaeological zone with mind-blowing views. Then, you’ll head to the sea.
Enjoy the finest Cancun reef snorkeling, swim in a freshwater cenote, and explore a limestone cave. You’ll also take a walk in the jungle and enjoy a scrumptious lunch.
This tour includes: Hotel transfers, a guide, entrance fees, snorkeling gear, and a buffet lunch. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Whale Shark Snorkeling in Cancun
Snorkeling with whale sharks in Cancun is the ultimate goal for many travelers, and you can make it a reality with this Whale Shark Tour from Cancun. Start the day with breakfast on the pier, and then speed on a boat to the viewing location.
You’ll get to swim alongside the ocean’s gentle giants accompanied by guides, who will make sure you experience a safe snorkeling session. Onboard you’ll enjoy ceviche, guacamole, and refreshing drinks.
This tour includes: Hotel pick-up and drop-off, breakfast, snacks, beverages, and snorkeling gear. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Snorkel in Cancun at Xcaret and Xel-Ha
Xcaret is an ecological park in the Riviera Maya that offers plenty of natural and cultural attractions to entertain you all day long. Besides lush jungle and Mayan ruins, it also boasts cenotes, subterranean rivers, and lagoons in which you can enjoy some of the best snorkeling in Cancun.
▶️ The Xcaret Park Day Trip, Transportation, and Cultural Night Show grants you access to all of Xcaret’s activities. You’ll get to choose whichever adventures appeal to you the most!
From snorkeling in underground rivers to swimming in natural lagoons, the options to be underwater are many. But that’s not all! You’ll also have the opportunity to meet the wildlife and check out the butterfly pavilion, among other things.
Indulge in a buffet lunch, and choose to end your day witnessing the renowned Xcaret Mexico Espectacular show.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transportation, life jackets, priority access, all activities and equipment, and tickets for Xcaret Mexico Espectacular. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Xel-Ha is a natural aquatic park, best known for its lagoons, freshwater cenotes, and lush jungle setting. The park is built around an inlet, where the river meets the sea, making it the ideal destination for snorkeling and all sorts of water adventures!
▶️ The Xel-Ha Tickets with Transportation included is the perfect way to explore Xel-Ha Park. Ir begins with hotel pick-up and a hassle-free drive to the park, where you’ll have access to all the activities and facilities.
You’ll be provided with gear to snorkel in the teeming lagoons, get to float down rivers, bike through jungle trails, sunbathe at the beach, and explore the caves and cenotes.
A buffet meal and a domestic open bar are included, as well as the use of lockers and towels, and transfers back to your hotel.
This tour includes: Roundtrip transfers, entrance fee, access to all activities, gear, unlimited food and drinks, and use of facilities. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Snorkeling Adventure to Isla Contoy from Cancun
Embark on an Isla Contoy Eco Adventure to explore the beautiful, uninhabited island from a new perspective. You’ll set sail from Cancun toward the ecological reserve that’s Isla Contoy.
Tour around it, discovering its flora and fauna, and snorkel off the beach and on the nearby Ixlache reef.
Relish a scrumptious lunch with an open bar, and then head for a quick visit to Isla Mujeres before returning to the mainland.
This tour includes: Hotel pick-up and drop-off, snorkeling gear, lunch, an open bar, and a visit to Isla Mujeres. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
