There’s no better way to get up close and personal to the underwater world than snorkeling. Lucky for us, warm white sand and clear blue water along 5,800 miles of coastline make snorkeling in Mexico an immensely popular activity. The island country has beach weather all year long, and it is full of bustling reef ecosystems to explore. To help plan your next adventure, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 spots for snorkeling in Mexico. Float in any of these waters and get an opportunity to witness some of the most vibrant and colorful corals one has ever seen. The charm that underwater world reeks of is something truly magical. You can check them out for yourself!
10 Best Spots For Snorkeling In Mexico
If you’re looking for the best area for snorkeling in Mexico, your search ceases here. Below is a comprehensive list of top 10 snorkeling spots.
1. Playa Las Gatas
Playa Las Gatas tops the list for best snorkeling in Mexico, Pacific Coast because of its high fish population and calm shallow water. There are lots of crevices and caves to peek into once you get ahead of the coral reef. The fish will be everywhere seeming almost oblivious to your presence.
Location: Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico
Suggested Duration: 4 hours
Best For: Spotting a snapper
TripAdvisor Ratings: 4/5
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Tip: Wear biodegradable sunscreen since harmful chemicals from a regular sunscreen can leach into the water and damage coral.
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2. La Entrega
La Entrega comes a close second for best snorkeling in Mexico, Pacific Coast. It is one of the most sheltered and serene spots for snorkeling in Mexico. The water clarity is excellent and the average depth is only about neck deep, making it an ideal site for kids.
Location: Huatulco, Mexico
Suggested Duration: 3 hours
Best For: Inexperienced snorkelers and kids.
TripAdvisor Ratings: 4.5/5
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Tip: Swim at a speed that allows you to breathe slowly and easily through your snorkel.
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3. Akumal Beach
Akumal Beach is a postcard perfect mile-long stretch of white sand beach. Being the most popular snorkeling spots in Mexico, it is jam packed with tourists throughout the year. But a teeming range of marine flora and fauna makes up for all the chaos.
Location: Akumal, Mexico
Suggested Duration: 4 hours
Best For: Snorkeling with sea turtles.
TripAdvisor Ratings: 4.5/5
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Tip: Check the weather forecast a day before. When there is a west swell, the currents can get very strong.
4. Cenote Dos Ojos
Dive into the pristine water of Cenote Dos Ojos to swim with blowfishes, ogle the underwater coves, and follow a turtle or angelfish through a sunken jungle. For experienced snorkelers, Cenote Dos Ojos is the best area for snorkeling in Mexico.
Location: Quintana Roo, Mexico
Suggested Duration: 2.5 hours
Best For: Coral sightseeing
TripAdvisor Ratings: 4.5/5
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Tip: Do an equipment check before going underwater.
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5. Museo Subacuático De Arte
Museo Subacuático de Arte is the perfect amalgamation of art and adventure. The underwater museum offers incredible 500 life-sized sculptures hidden 28 feet below the ocean’s surface. The only way Museo Subacuático de Arte can be explored is by diving or snorkeling.
Location: Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Suggested Duration: 3.5 hours
Best For: Look out for the stunning statue of Volkswagen.
TripAdvisor Ratings: 4/5
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Tip: When swimming with fins, be mindful that you don’t kick and knock over any corals.
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6. Cacaluta Bay
Cacaluta Bay is a preferred spot for snorkeling in Mexico city because the visibility is near-perfect and it is home to dozens of exotic marine life. The flora and fauna are heavily protected, giving underwater life a chance to flourish and making the site nutrient-rich.
Location: Huatulco, Mexico
Suggested Duration: 3 hours
Best For: Spotting jellyfish
TripAdvisor Ratings: 5/5
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Tip: It’s best to get there early in the morning or late afternoon to dodge overcrowding by cruise ship tours.
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7. National Reef Park Of Puerto Morelos
Unlike most spots on this list, snorkeling in Mexico’s National Reef Park doesn’t revolve around colorful coral and tropical fish. There’s a solid chance that you’ll come across a playful group of sea lions or dolphins that will happily swim alongside you. National Reef Park’s remote location makes underwater wildlife approachable chiefly because they don’t encounter humans all that often.
Location: Quintana Roo, Mexico
Suggested Duration: 3 hours
Best For: Swimming with sea lions.
TripAdvisor Ratings: 4.5/5
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Tip: Choose a place with calm waters instead of a strong current.
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8. Cancun Whale Shark Snorkeling
What makes snorkeling in Mexico city’s Cancun area awesome is swimming alongside friendly, giant sharks. Cancun is off limits to large ships, making it a safe place for the shark population to mate and give birth. Snorkelers can catch up with the sharks between December and April when they pass through the area.
Location: Cancun, Mexico
Suggested Duration: 3 hours
Best For: Catching up with sharks and humpback whales
TripAdvisor Ratings: 4.5/5
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Tip: If at any point you feel jittery, lift up your head and float on your back.
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9. Yal Ku Lagoon
Ever want to swim with jellyfish without having to worry about getting a nasty sting by one of them? Yal Ku Lagoon is the place to go. It is an amazing snorkeling spot in Mexico located amidst beautiful environment. There are snack option inside the park and numerous restaurants, hotels located only 1 mile from here, in Akumal.
Location: North Akumal, Mexico
Suggested Duration: 2 hours
Best For: Swimming with jellyfish and colorful fish.
TripAdvisor Ratings: 4.5/5
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Tip: Maintain a safe distance, and do not touch the jellyfish.
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10. Tulum Reef
Tulum Reef is a family favorite with heavenly white powder sand and calm turquoise water. It is among the best areas for snorkeling in Mexico. There are several refreshment stands and huts on the beach that offer much-needed grub and stay.
Location: Quintana Roo, Mexico
Suggested Duration: 3 hours
Best For: Spotting anemones and octopuses
TripAdvisor Ratings: 4/5
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Tip: Resist the temptation to fill your pockets with shells — it is illegal and not ecologically sound.
Further Read: Soon You Can Take Mexico’s Maya Train To Travel To The Yucatan Peninsula
Every adventure junkie has dreamt of snorkeling in Mexico and diving into the pristine Mexican beaches at least once in their life. We’re here to tell you to quit dreaming and start living! Secure a snorkeling spot for yourself by booking trip to Mexico now. The marine life awaits you!
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