Where to snorkel in Cancun
Among all the activities and places that you can’t miss if you travel to Cancun, snorkeling in its beautiful turquoise water is one of the most iconic experiences that anyone vacationing in the Caribbean has to put in his list. Riviera Maya is home to the world’s second-largest coral barrier, and features incredible marine life and coral reefs, these attributes, added to the strong touristic industry that promote these places, it becomes one of the top snorkeling and diving destinations.
If you are ready to dive in one of the most beautiful places on the earth, pack your swimsuit and sunglasses, in this guide we will tell you the best places where to snorkel in Cancun, how to practice this activity if it is your first time and all the important stuff that will make this adventure something unforgettable.
BEST PLACES TO PRACTICE SNORKELING IN CANCUN
Due to its pacific stream and incredible diversity that we find in the sea bottom of this area, Cancun is one of the best places to practice snorkeling and other aquatic activities like diving or surfing. However, one of the advantages of being in Cancun is the closeness that we have with other beautiful destinations of the zone. There exist various locations all around Cancun that are good for snorkeling: Akumal, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, etc. It are all snorkeling locations with a lot to offer such as natural reef barriers and plenty of sea creatures. Therefore, if you visit these lands in the Mexican southeast, you will have a varied list of places to snorkel at your disposal.
Now, if we talk about snorkeling inside Cancun, some of the best locations to practice this activity are:
Punta Nizuc: With its stunningly clear waters and expansive coral reefs, Punta Nizuc is one of the best places in Cancun to have a beautiful moment far from the crowds of the city and immerse yourself in the wonders of the ocean, some of the most important advantages of this area, is its nearness and easily access from downtown, also this point is perfect to beginners as experienced divers.
Cancun underwater museum (MUSA): created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, with over 470 life-size statues and figures that are submerged in the waters surrounding Isla Mujeres. This is one of the most popular spots in Mexico for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. Its spectacular concept, added to the beautiful reef area where it is located, turns this location into one of the most interesting experiences that you could try in Cancun.
Cenotes: If you are going to experience a snorkeling Cancun adventure, you can’t miss the opportunity of diving in a cenote, this impressive jungle pools are one of the best kept secret of Riviera Maya, if you visit Cancun area, you have to swim in some near cenotes in the area, some of you going to find in this zone are: Cenote dos ojos, Cenote Carwash, Cenote Siete bocas, Grand Cenote, etc.
Manchones reef: This protected reef on the southern end of Isla Mujeres it’s perfect for those who are just beginner snorkelers. Its beautiful beaches where you can lay down after swimming, makes this point one of the best spots to relax and have fun.
Shipwreck Snorkeling: If you want to try something different, you must explore the shipwreck that lays in the waters off Cancun’s coast. But don’t worry, no one died here, this wreck was sunk intentionally by the Mexican government in order to create a new reef area for snorkelers and other marine life. Therefore, due to the diversity of sea life that we can appreciate here, this spot is popular both for beginner and more advanced snorkelers.
BEST CANCUN SNORKELING TOURS
Finally, if you have never practiced snorkeling before, Cancun is an excellent point to have a first adventure, since this zone offers tourists some best guided snorkeling experiences that could work for first-time enthusiasts. If you decide to dive in some of these adventures, you will for sure see all types of fish and coral reefs when you visit the bottom of the Caribbean sea.
Also, some of these experiences count with special amenities included among its pack services, making the experience of visiting the depths more comfortable. If you are looking for the best way to visit the beautiful and mysterious bottom of the sea, the next snorkeling tours are perfect to have an aquatic adventure that you will don’t forget:
- Reef and Shipwreck Snorkeling Tour in Cancun: This tour takes you to swim among tropical fish, coral reefs and giant sea turtles. Also, you will get to snorkel through a shipwreck filled with corals and colorful fish, all of this, of course, accompanied by a specialized guide to lead you on this adventure.
- Amazing Snorkeling Experience in Cancun: ideal for everyone, experts and or participants with little or no experience of water activity, this adventure will take you to 4 different locations, among which are included: El Meco Coral reef, MUSA, an exclusive point to witness turtles, and last, a sunken boat, full of marine life, multicolored coral and schools of fish of different species. Without a doubt, an unmissable experience if you want to know the depths of Cancun.
- Full-Day Snorkeling Adventure from Cancun and Riviera Maya: This tour will take you to spend the day snorkeling at Puerto Morelos National Reef Park. Where you will visit 2 locations in the national park, snorkeling for 45 minutes at each one. And, if the adventure wasn’t enough, on this trip you will have the opportunity to enjoy some amenities just like a buffet lunch, domestic open bar, and more!
- Bioluminescence Experience: If we talk about unforgettable experiences, this tour is ideal to contemplate the beauty of the bottom of the sea at night. Here, you will visit three night snorkel areas: sea grass, reef and the underwater museum with a duration of one hour and a half of activity. You can’t miss this adventure!
As you can see, snorkeling is one of the activities that you can’t miss if you visit Cancun. Remember that if you are going to deep in some of these adventures, don’t forget to pack your sandals, swimsuit, towel and the most important thing, the amusement.
…See you on the next trip!
