If there is one activity you cannot miss for the world during your visit to Cancun is snorkeling. The Riviera Maya is home to the world’s second-largest coral barrier, rich with corals and fish. It’s no wonder it has become one of the top snorkeling and diving destinations in the world!
Located right on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, Cancun is a great place to dive into crystal-clear waters, which offer perfect visibility to admire the marine life.
While you can walk straight from the beach with your mask and tube for a snorkeling session, most of the coral reefs are only accessible by boat. That’s why booking a tour is a must for an incredible time underwater!
In this article, I have compiled the best Cancun snorkeling tours, so you can choose the perfect activity for your trip. Witnessing the incredibly rich underwater world is one of the most memorable things to do in Cancun, and I can’t recommend it enough!
Why can you trust my picks? With my extensive experience in Mexico — over six months exploring its diverse regions — I’ve come to know the best spots for underwater adventures.
Drawing from a decade of expertise in selecting top-tier tours, I’ve curated a list of Cancun snorkeling experiences that stand out for their stunning marine life, professional guides, and commitment to safety and environmental respect.
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 Snorkeling Tour: Swim with Turtles, Reef, Musa, Shipwreck, and Cenote. You’ll be able to swim among colorful fish in a reef, where the chances of seeing turtles are quite high.
Then, you’ll visit the MUSA Underwater Museum, which is home to 500 life-size statues.
They’re truly impressive, and getting close to them while snorkeling is a real treat. Your guide will then take you to snorkel in a shipwreck, and you’ll finish the tour with a cenote dive.
The trip is kid-friendly and suitable for beginners. Showers will be provided for your uttermost comfort, and you’ll also have lockers.
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 Reef and Shipwreck Snorkeling Tour in Cancun 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 Catamaran Sailing plus Lunch & Open Bar. 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: Jet ski, Snorkel, and Parasail
One of the most adventurous Cancun snorkeling excursions is this Snorkeling, Parasail, and Jet Ski. Spend the day snorkeling with turtles, schools of fish, and corals.
You’ll also explore a shipwreck, and visit one of the most fascinating museums in Cancun, snorkeling among underwater statues.
Then, get your blood pumping with exhilarating activities such as jet skiing and parasailing in the Caribbean waters.
This tour includes: Equipment for all the activities and bottled water. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Cancun Snorkeling at Nichupte Lagoon
The Jungle Tour Cancun Speedboat and Snorkel Adventure 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
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