The best places to snorkel in Cancun

Cancun’s beaches are famous, and there is another world beneath the surface of the water that is just as amazing. A great way to explore and learn about the ocean and its inhabitants is to snorkel. This activity requires no prior training, and you don’t have to be a good swimmer.

The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (second in size only to the Great Barrier Reef in Australia) runs parallel to the Mexican Caribbean coast. The reef begins at the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, near Isla Contoy, and extends south along the coast for nearly 700 miles, all the way to the Bay Islands of Honduras.

Needless to say, from Cancun, there are many excellent snorkeling spots where you can see abundant and colorful corals, fish, sea turtles and other marine species. There are also mangroves and freshwater cenotes to explore. These are some of the best places to dive on your trip to Cancun.

MUSA: Underwater Museum of Cancun

An underwater museum may seem like a far-fetched idea, but these underwater sculptures are good for the environment: they are made of coral-friendly materials, promote natural coral growth and also help reduce the impact of visitors on other dive sites. in the area. Founded in 2009, there are galleries in three different locations: in Punta Nizuc, Punta Sam and Manchones. The first two can be enjoyed from the surface by divers, Manchones, which is near Isla Mujeres, is generally recommended for divers because it is too deep to see well from the surface.

Nizuc Point

If you don’t want to travel far to get to your snorkeling location, the best place to snorkel in the Cancun hotel zone is Punta Nizuc, which is the southernmost point of the hotel zone, between Club Med Cancun and Nizuc Resort.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to access by land unless you are staying at one of the aforementioned resorts, so your best option to get there is to take the Nizuc Reef snorkeling excursion with Aquaworld, which includes a speedboat tour of the Nichupte Lagoon before heading to Punta Nizuc to snorkel. There is a floating platform that you will use as a base as you explore the reef and you can also see some of the MUSA sculptures here, including “Comprensión” by artist Elier Amado Gil.

Puerto Morelos

Puerto Morelos is a small town about 12 miles south of Cancun. The reef is closer to shore here, and the diving conditions are generally excellent. You can drive to Puerto Morelos on your own if you rent a car, or take the ADO bus and snorkel on your own from shore; a good spot is between the Amar Inn Hotel and the Day & Night Beach Club. Stay within the area demarcated by buoys for safety. You may spot sea turtles and rays, as well as barracudas and colorful smaller fish, as well as corals. If you prefer to join an excursion that offers transportation from your hotel and a boat ride further out on the reef, there are several tour companies that offer trips, including Snorkeling at the Cancun Mermaid Reserve in Puerto Morelos.

Xel-Ha

Xel-Ha is a natural water park operated by the same company that manages Xcaret Park. It is located 65 miles south of Cancun, where freshwater inlets and lagoons meet the ocean, creating a unique environment where you can observe a wide variety of marine life. It’s a great place to spend a whole day because you can snorkel, float down a lazy river in an inner tube, swim in a cenote and even jump off a cliff (if you dare!). Xel-Ha also has lockers and towels, bathrooms and changing rooms, as well as restaurants.

Cozumel

The island of Cozumel has a reputation as Mexico’s premier dive destination, and it’s also a great place to dive. Located 12 miles off the coast, you can take a ferry from Playa del Carmen to get there or join an organized day trip. There are some good spots for shore diving. Cozumel’s beaches on the west side of the island (facing the mainland) generally have calmer waters and more marine life. There are some parks that offer special snorkeling experiences, such as Chankanaab Park, which claims to have the world’s only inland reef.

There are actually many places in the Riviera Maya where you can snorkel and dive. And of course, each of them has its own beauty. So don’t hesitate to do and enjoy this activity. By the way, have you already booked your transfer service? Visit Cancun Airport Transportation.

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