Best Cancun snorkeling spots

Cancun, Mexico is home to the Great Mayan Reef and the coastal waters offer some of the best snorkeling anywhere on Earth. Check out some of our fave locations!

UPDATED APRIL 2025
By Casey Makovich
Cancun snorkeling

Interested in snorkeling in Cancun but not sure where to go or what there even is to see underwater? Read on for our suggestions of some great spots and what you can expect from a visit to the crystal waters. Stick around until the end to see how you can save money on your next unforgettable snorkeling adventure with Go City!

Puero Morelos

Child snorkeling

A visit to Puerto Morelos beach is a snorkel trip of a lifetime, with luminescent fish, bright coral, and a breeding spot for sea turtles! Enjoy a tranquil backdrop for any activity that strikes your fancy. Take a walk through the lovely village of Puerto Morelos, with its beach and its charming cantinas, or dive into the crystal blue waters for a swim or a snorkel. 

Tip: the leaning lighthouse is the backdrop for selfies!

Punta Nizuc

This site is at the southern tip of the Cancun Hotel Zone and is a fantastic spot for snorkeling.

Head to the MUSA – an underwater museum with submerged sculptures that create an eerie and beautiful artificial reef – for a truly unique and surreal experience. Elier Amado Gil, a local artist, founded this quirky collection and dedicated it to the sustenance of the Great Mayan Reef and its living communities.

Not a fan of creepy underwater statues? We don’t blame you. There’s plenty more to do here! Visit some of the best sea turtle hangouts along the Mayan coast, snorkel to your heart's content and catch glimpses of the wide range of sealife, or take it easy in the shallow waters of El Cielo to meander through the places where starfish congregate.

Nizuc

Or how about a bit of nautical mystery to top things off? Explore a shipwreck (well, more like a small sunken boat, but you get the idea), and meet the fish who dwell inside as their coral habitat slowly takes over the ruins.

If you want a break from snorkeling but still want to experience the beauty of the sea, then submarine tours are available! Marvel at sea life and the Underwater Museum from a totally different perspective – you're dry, moving through the waters in a transparent enclosure.

 

Meco Reef

Snorkeling family

North of downtown Cancun, El Meco Reef is part of the larger Great Mesoamerican Reef System—aka the second-largest barrier reef in the world. A fabulous spot to explore different places to swim, snorkel, and admire the timeless Caribbean.

You’ll need to take a boat tour to get there as there’s no shore access, but it’s totally worth for one of the best snorkel spots to view Mexico's aquatic life. It’s not a super touristy location so you can enjoy the vibrant, healthy coral formations and tons of marine life – expect to see angelfish, butterflyfish, snappers, and parrotfish.

Garrafon Natural Reef Park (Isla Mujeres)

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a four-mile long island home to the Garrafon Natural Reef Park. This eco-park offers well-maintained facilities, making it a great choice for families or those who want a mix of nature and convenience. 

Tip: try the pre-Hispanic steam bath known locally as the temazcal. It's an indigenous sweat lodge – Mayan style.

The natural reef itself is bordered by cliffs and runs right along the shore, with rental gear and guides available on-site. From the beach, you can take a kayak out to the Isla Mujeres reef and snorkel in the sparkling waters. Or you might opt to spend your time taking a walk to the breathtaking cliffs, where you'll find an unforgettable island and coastal vistas.

Got a history buff with you? Take a snorkel break and visit the Mayan ruins! About a 25-minute drive from Isla Mujeres, El Meco is a small but significant Mayan archaeological site.

Up for some snorkeling?

Young woman in snorkeling gear sitting on the side of a speedboat.

If these spots have inspired you for a Cancun snorkeling vacation, then we have some great news for you. What’s better than just snorkeling? An added jungle speedboat tour! Take a 2-in-1 tour and captain your own speedboat through the Nichupté Lagoon, admire the wildlife and lush greenery, then head to the sea, and the second-largest coral reef in the world, for some snorkeling. Enjoy the aquatic creatures and the vibrant coral formations, and experience the underwater museum yourself.

Sound good? Then grab yourself a pass with us and have a nautical adventure to remember!

Wanna stretch those legs even more? Check out our suggestions for the best time to visit Cancun, or discover our top 10 picks for free and affordable things to do.

Step up your sightseeing with Go City®.

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See more, do more, and experience more with Go City®.

 

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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El Castillo Pyramid at Chichen Itza near Cancun
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Things to do in Cancun in November

November holds an unusual position in the Cancun calendar since it’s not quite the dry season but not quite the wet season either. Referred to as the shoulder season by some, Cancun in November offers visitors a combination of low tourist numbers, great deals on flights and accommodation and very decent weather as well. On average, rain is only seen on eight days in the month, with the start of November having the highest risk of rain and highest humidity levels too. However, showers don’t usually last more than two or three hours in any case. November is also technically at the end of Cancun’s hurricane season, although it’s highly unlikely you’ll be affected by a tropical storm. Instead, Cancun in November delivers air temperatures of around 25°C, seas that are even warmer, the chance to catch hatching turtles and one of the biggest days in the Mexican calendar. Keep reading and you’ll discover all there is to do in November in Cancun! Meet the locals Situated between Nichupté Lagoon, the jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula and the Caribbean Sea, Cancun is able to boast an astonishing array of native species of flora and fauna. And you don’t have to travel far to catch sight of them. For one thing, November is the end of the turtle hatching period. Head to Isla Mujeres (perhaps by Get Up and Go catamaran cruise) and you can stick to the fine beaches of its south by day and by night – when hatchlings appear from beneath the sands and charge towards the waves for the very first time in their lives. Fully-grown turtles are frequently encountered on the reefs that together form the largest coral system in the western hemisphere, with snorkelers also able to swim amongst sharks, rays and hundreds of types of brightly colored tropical fish at Native Park and other biodiversity hotspots. But if a mask and snorkel aren’t for you, Interactive Aquarium Cancun is the perfect alternative. Its tanks host around 140 different species of fish alone, including angelfish, parrotfish and surgeonfish, whilst a touch tank allows you to get close to rays and starfish before enjoying the nightly dolphin show. However, your best chance of spotting Cancun’s resident crocs is by taking the wheel of your very own speedboat and roaring across the waters of the lagoon. Grab your sports gear Cancun’s subtropical climate makes it a great destination for all manner of sports on and off the water, and November is no different. You won’t find it hard to hire a jet ski for a couple of hours or find all you need to surf or kitesurf. There’s also the opportunity to take in the hotel zone’s extraordinary run of beaches from the air – suspended beneath a parachute on a parasailing adventure. Keep your heart in your mouth by then taking on the Extreme Canopy Tour at Selvatica Park. No previous experience is necessary to soar through the trees on any one of its ten zip-line circuits, although a good head for heights is recommended! A steady hand rather than a love of altitude is all you’ll need at Pok Ta Pok Golf Club, whose 18-hole course has been challenging golfers of all handicaps since it was first drawn up in 1976. To learn how it should be done, look no further than the Mayakoba Golf Classic a short distance along the coast at Playa del Carmen. Part of the PGA tour, it takes place each November, and attracts professionals from right around the world. Experience Cancun culture Although primarily considered a beach resort, there’s plenty of culture that awaits in Cancun, particularly in November. The month begins with the Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations on November 2. A joyful commemoration of lost loved ones, ofrendas (altars) decorated with marigold flowers, sugar skulls, candles and alcohol appear across the city. In Cancun and the wider Yucatan it is also known as Hanal Pixan. Pronounced ‘Janal Pishan’ and translating as ‘Food of the Spirits’, its origins go back to the Maya. During this time of year markets are filled with flowers and seasonal foods such as mucbipollo, a tamale-like food filled with pork or chicken. Cancun’s Parque de las Palapas in the downtown area is one of the best places to head to experience an authentic Day of the Dead. Bask in 1000 years of history Hanal Pixan isn’t the only survivor from the period when the Yucatan was dominated by the Maya. The region around Cancun is also rich in important archeological remains from their period of rule, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Chichen Itza. Its impressive ruins help uncover the way the Maya lived, from their dedication to the gods at Kukulcan pyramid to their love of sport at the great ballcourt. Covering around five square kilometers, many of its structures are connected by paved causeways called sacbeob. Nearby Tulum is another important Maya site with a location as dramatic as they come, nestled on cliffs rising up to 12 meters above the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Existing beyond the arrival of the Spanish in Mexico, the city flourished from the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries. The visitor center provides a detailed overview of the site, which includes landward defensive walls and several palaces. Although it isn’t the best preserved of cities, Coba is also well worth the trip since it hosts a pyramid rising an extraordinary 42 meters high, as well as the chance to climb to its summit for views across the unbroken tree canopy towards the seashore. Its sites are split between several groups of structures separated by cenotes and lakes with no other signs of human life. Save on Cancun November attraction admission Make the most of the reduced visitor numbers by enjoying the attractions of Cancun in November without the crowds. Then make your budget go even further by taking advantage of the significant discounts possible on attraction admission with Go City!
Ian Packham
Cancun's hotel zone beaches in February
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Reasons to visit Cancun in February

February is a great month to visit Cancun. Slap bang in the middle of the Yucatan Peninsula’s dry season, the wardrobes of many visitors don’t extend much beyond swimwear – though there are some excellent shopping opportunities should the need arise. Temperatures are warm but not too hot by both land and sea, whilst the clear blue skies of Cancun in February are sure to bring a smile to the face of anyone coming from cloud-covered nations further north and east. But there are plenty of other reasons to consider visiting Cancun in February, as you’ll discover below. Perfect conditions for a beach break A beach destination par excellence, February sees the sands of Cancun’s 20 kilometer coastline at their very best. Its almost endless ribbons of beautiful white sand receive an average of nine hours of sunshine per day, which sees average temperatures range between 24 – 29°C and daily lows still into the twenties. The cool temperatures of evening make the hours around sunset a good time for a stroll or bike ride along the coast, whilst the Caribbean Sea is warm enough for both swimming and snorkeling without having to resort to a wetsuit. There is a limited chance of seeing some rain when visiting Cancun in February, but totaling just 44 mm split between five non-consecutive days, showers are easy to avoid even if they do develop during your stay. Ideal for sea-based adventures Mexico’s Caribbean shores around Cancun have a commanding presence above and below the surface. And it’s not just their dramatic contrast against the white sands or the phenomenal temperatures of around 24°C that draws people into the water at this time of year. February is also known to be a month with fantastic underwater visibility. It’s not surprising then that snorkeling and scuba diving are so popular in Cancun in February. Although sea turtles don’t generally appear in large numbers for another few months, as part of the world’s second-largest reef system there’s still plenty of life to become absorbed by. Soft and hard corals provide habitats for around 2000 individual species, ranging from lobster and clown fish to shark and rays. The best snorkeling locations require a short trip out by boat, so look out for tours to El Meco, one of the best-preserved areas of reef. If you’re yet to earn your water wings, you can take in the beauty of Cancun’s underwater worlds without getting wet onboard the glass-bottomed boat which forms the centerpiece of the Paradise SubSee Excursion at Paraiso Nizuc instead. Unique sinkhole adventures Not very far from the coast lie other spectacular watery discoveries, Cancun’s cenotes. There are somewhere in the region of 30,000 of these entirely natural sinkholes, each one of which is unique and offers something different to those visiting. You can think of them as underground caves with the roof or a side wall peeled away, which is exactly what has happened to most of them after thousands of years of freshwater flowing through them weakened the limestone rock they’re made of. Between them, they contain dramatically-shaped formations, large fish and turtle-filled ponds, tiny pools hidden in the jungle and grand cenotes complete with cabanas, restaurants and changing facilities. With something for everyone, cenotes become the favorite part of a trip to Cancun in February for many. Cenote Azul is a great example, with two swimming areas and a cliff-edge platform used for jumping and diving. Slightly further away, Cenote Chichen Itza (also called Cenote Ik Kil) feels fully enveloped by the surrounding jungle. Cenote Tankah Ha is ideal for cooling off after climbing to the summit of the Mayan’s tallest pyramid – Coba. Celebrations galore Romance may not be the first thought that comes to mind when thinking about a trip to Cancun, but with Valentine’s Day on February 14 there’s a good chance you’ll be in the region on what’s often hailed as the most romantic day of the year. Have no fear – Cancun’s got you covered! A luxurious catamaran trip to Isla Mujeres is sure to set the mood perfectly with its mix of snorkeling, feasting and island views. Alternatively, you might like to enjoy a two and a half hour dinner cruise with a multi-course meal set to sunset or moonlight. You’ll need your feet firmly on dry land to experience Carnaval. Marking the start of the Catholic fasting period of Lent, it echoes the celebrations that take place in Rio de Janeiro, with streets filled with colorful floats, richly-decorated performers shimmying along main avenues and the election of a carnival queen. Festivities can go on for a week, culminating on Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras). If you’re in Cancun at the start of February, there’s also a chance to get involved with Candlemas celebrations (El Dia de Candelaria). Also known as Tamale Day, expect to see no shortage of these delicious menu items in restaurants and on the street food stalls, alongside the sight and sound of parties going on long into the night. Awaiting jungle adventures February is also a fantastic time of year to visit Cancun for anyone keen to explore the jungles of the Yucatan Peninsula. The limited rainfall ensures trails aren’t washed away, and lower humidity levels help to make jungle expeditions easier too. Although trekking on foot is an option, you might prefer to cut through the tree cover on the back of an ATV, something that’s easy to do at Extreme Adventure Park. Motor engines play an important role in yet another way of encountering the jungle just a short distance from Cancun’s hotel zone, with the chance to control a speedboat across the wildlife-rich Nichupté Lagoon. Getting the most out of your Cancun February vacation With so much to see and do in Cancun in February thoughts might invariably head to how to afford it all. Explore with Go City and you get the benefit of significant savings on admission to many of Cancun’s top attractions. Other advantages include the fact our pre-paid passes mean you don’t have to carry large amounts of cash on you. So don’t delay, buy one today!
Ian Packham
Cancun - overhead view of two people paddling in a canoe
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Getting around Cancun: how to get around Cancun for tourists

Traveling to Cancun for the vacation of a lifetime? Whether you're a first-time tourist or a frequent visitor to the Mexican paradise, this guide will provide you with great tips and tricks for navigating.
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