Playa del Carmen · RIVIERA MAYA SNORKELING TOURS

The 15 Best Snorkeling Tours in the Riviera Maya

107 tours  ·  from $35 a head

Fresh water in the cenotes, salt water on the reef. The 15 below are compared on where you actually get in, how long you stay and what the boat or the van includes.

Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya - Yax-Muul: caves, clear freshwater, and rock formations
Half-Day, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Riviera Maya Turtle Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya

1.Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,039 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $99Our pick

Travel from Cancún or the Riviera Maya to Akumal Beach for guided snorkeling among turtles, rays, and tropical fish, then follow a guide through caves at Parque de Cenotes Yax-Muul and swim in freshwater. A bilingual guide, transport, gear, life vests, water, and empanadas are included. Plan for an early pickup, a possible long drive, and a separate $20 marine fee.

“We had a great experience. Our tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. Seeing the sea turtles and other marine life in as amazing!”

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Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling and Beachside Lunch - Yal Ku Lagoon makes snorkeling approachable
Guided, Lunch Experiences, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tulum Tours

Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling and Beachside Lunch

2.Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling and Beachside Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,888 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $169

Travel from your hotel to Tulum’s cliff-top Maya ruins, two freshwater cenotes, and fish-filled Yal Ku Lagoon, then sit down to a beachside lunch. The small-group tour includes a bilingual guide, snorkeling gear, life jacket, snacks, and transport. Guides such as Lalo and Santiago have led trips, though your guide may differ. Bring a towel, a refillable bottle, and snacks for the long day.

“Excellent activities, guide, driver, scheduling. If you suffer from motion sickness--the full day of activities requires a long time in the van, sometimes with bumpy dirt roads. My daughter and husband had a tough time with the full day of travel, though loved the activities. I loved the whole thing!”

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Hidden Cenote Swim: Snorkeling, Sea Turtles and Beachside Lunch - Lunch and a breather at the beach club
Lunch Experiences, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Riviera Maya Turtle Tours, Tour Reviews

Hidden Cenote Swim: Snorkeling, Sea Turtles and Beachside Lunch

3.Hidden Cenote Swim: Snorkeling, Sea Turtles and Beachside Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,222 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $169

Visit a Maya cenote for a guided swim through caverns and rock formations, then snorkel with sea turtles and tropical fish at Akumal Beach. Round-trip hotel transport, gear, snacks, a bilingual guide, and beach-club lunch are included. The water can be cold, and the guided ocean swim requires more effort than simply watching from a boat.

“Swimming with the turtles was amazing! This was also outr 3rd cenote and this was likely our favorite one. Beautiful, mysterious space with lots of interesting passages, including a few tight squeezes. Very clean water and incredible history. Our guide, Omar, even had us sit in the dark for one minute and listen to the space around us - a very surreal experience. The lunch at the end was a nice cap to an amazing day. About Omar (and our driver, Julio) - they are the best! We have had MANY guides over the years and Omar is knowledgeable, fun, and very personable. I highly recommend this tour!”

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Magical Cenote and Paradise Lagoon Snorkeling Adventure - A guide-led outing, not a do-it-yourself visit
Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Tour Reviews, Tulum Tours

Magical Cenote and Paradise Lagoon Snorkeling Adventure

4.Magical Cenote and Paradise Lagoon Snorkeling Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 808 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

Travel by air-conditioned van to a freshwater cenote, where a guide leads you through cool, dark chambers, then snorkel among fish at Yal-Ku Lagoon, where fresh and salt water meet. The group is capped at 15, with snorkels, life jackets, water, and a snack included. You must be able to swim, and no devices are allowed inside the cenote.

“Excellent time on this excursion. A bit strenous seimming, so make sure you're in shape and can swim. The life jacket help, but are uncomfortable and kept riddimg up around our necessario. The guide and driver were friendly and knowledgeable”

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Beach Escape: Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres with Snorkeling. - A reef stop, not an open-ended snorkel
Isla Mujeres Tours, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Tour Reviews

Beach Escape: Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres with Snorkeling.

5.Beach Escape: Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres with Snorkeling.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 717 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $169

Take a boat trip to Isla Contoy for a guided reef snorkel, a walk through its protected nature reserve, beach time, and a Mexican lunch. Then spend about an hour on Isla Mujeres. Hotel pickup is offered from Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, and Cancun. Guides may include Susana, Alex, Pepe, or JP, depending on the day.

“Very nice relaxing boat trip to two of the most beautiful islands, our guide Max was very fun and enthusiastic, the tour was very informative! We had a great time!”

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Tulum, Snorkeling with Sea Turtles, Cenote and Beachside Lunch - Cenote El Sueño: the day’s most unusual swim
Lunch Experiences, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Riviera Maya Turtle Tours, Tour Reviews, Tulum Tours

Tulum, Snorkeling with Sea Turtles, Cenote and Beachside Lunch

6.Tulum, Snorkeling with Sea Turtles, Cenote and Beachside Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 446 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $189

Spend a full day combining Tulum’s clifftop Maya ruins, a swim in Cenote El Sueño, and guided snorkeling at Akumal, with round-trip hotel transport and beach-club lunch. A bilingual guide leads a group of up to 12. Bring a refillable bottle, towel, water shoes, and extra snacks; the ruins’ $25 entry fee is not included.

“Bring a reusable water bottle, bring some snacks as you will not lunch until very late on the excursion. The roads in and out of a couple of stops are very rough. You may need motion sickness medication. It’s very hot and humid at Tulum, have plenty of water with you. Our tour guides were excellent and very helpful. There is a lot of physical activity involved, so be prepared.”

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Catamaran Cruise in Riviera Maya With Snorkeling & Beach Club - Catamaran time, crew, and drinks
Playa del Carmen Beach Clubs, Playa del Carmen Boat Tours, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Tour Reviews

Catamaran Cruise in Riviera Maya With Snorkeling & Beach Club

7.Catamaran Cruise in Riviera Maya With Snorkeling & Beach Club

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 440 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $85

From Maroma Beach, take a roughly three-hour catamaran trip with two guided snorkeling stops, gear, water, soft drinks, and beer after snorkeling. Your skipper shares information about marine life, and hotel pickup is offered across much of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Riviera Maya. Crew names on past departures include Nato, Carlos, Juan Carlos, and Luciano, though your crew may differ.

“This was a nice excursion, but I think there are a few things that could have made it better. First, hotel pickup was on time and a short drive to the Maroma beach club location about 30 mins north of Playa del carmen. After checking in, we received our snorkel equipment and boarded the catamaran about 9:30 am. It was nice to be with a small group (approx. 15 ppl). Carlos and boat crew were awesome! Beer and water included. Snorkel at the reef was only about 30 mins. Beautiful experience in nice water that covered corals and grassy areas. If you are a strong swimmer you're not required to…”

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Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach - Turtles, fish and changing visibility
Akumal Tours, Playa del Carmen Private Tours, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Riviera Maya Turtle Tours, Tour Reviews

Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach

8.Private Snorkeling with Sea Turtles in Akumal Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 364 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $65

Swim Akumal Bay’s official protected circuit with guide Darwin, while Marlene helps with arrangements on shore. The private, roughly one-hour outing includes snorkel gear, a life jacket and park access. Expect about 50 minutes in open water, with green turtles promised and rays or tropical fish possible. You need to be comfortable swimming; transport and parking cost extra.

“This is hands down one of the best tours that I have ever been on. It is worth every penny. Our guide Darwin did a great job. We saw several turtles, star fish, squid, stingray and a whole bunch of our marine life.”

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Mayan Adventure Snorkeling Tour from Playa del Carmen or Riviera Maya - The open cenote: clear water in the jungle
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Mayan Adventure Snorkeling Tour from Playa del Carmen or Riviera Maya

9.Mayan Adventure Snorkeling Tour from Playa del Carmen or Riviera Maya

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 313 reviews · 7 hours (approx.)

Spend about seven hours visiting three very different waters: Yal Ku Lagoon, an open jungle cenote, and an underground river. Snorkeling gear, a buffet lunch, drinks, a guide, and transport are included. Guides such as Pedro, Marvin, and Ignacio have earned praise for keeping groups safe and entertained, though your guide will depend on the day.

“Very good, but it definitely felt like a tourist trap. Not natural mexico, it was all their private property that they turned into a "park" basically.people on my tour were touching coral and stomping on the bottom and ruining the experience and the guide didn't correct them, which harms habitats”

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2-Hour Snorkeling in Two Spots of Tulum's Reef - Stop two: coral, fish, and a different view
2-Hour Experiences, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Tour Reviews, Tulum Tours

2-Hour Snorkeling in Two Spots of Tulum’s Reef

10.2-Hour Snorkeling in Two Spots of Tulum’s Reef

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 303 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $51

Spend about two hours snorkeling at two sites in Tulum National Park. You’ll pass the Archaeological Zone by boat, with views of El Castillo and Casa del Brujo, then swim over reef and open water in search of turtles, rays, and tropical fish. Gear is provided, and guides such as German and Nico have led trips.

“Great communication, excellent guide, and SEA TURTLES!! We had the best time with our 9 and 11yo kids. I wouldn’t recommend kids much younger do this activity - you had to be pretty sure footed getting on and off the boat and while snorkeling”

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Bestseller! Tulum Private Tour with Turtles and Cenote Snorkeling - A sit-down lunch in the jungle
Playa del Carmen Private Tours, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Riviera Maya Turtle Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Bestseller! Tulum Private Tour with Turtles and Cenote Snorkeling

11.Bestseller! Tulum Private Tour with Turtles and Cenote Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 266 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $279

This 6-to-7-hour private trip pairs an early guided visit to Tulum’s ruins with your choice of cenote, lunch at a local restaurant, and shore-based snorkeling in Akumal. A private air-conditioned van, entrance fees, gear, and an experienced guide are included. Guides have included Alex, Arturo, Joshua, and Manuel, though assignments can vary.

“It was all truly fantastic! Great to snorkel in a cenote! Exciting seeing turtles up close!!!! Great people to guide us- Joshua and Enricho!”

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4 hours snorkel & beach tour - Private Yacht 47 ft - Lunch and drinks make this feel like a hosted outing
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4 hours snorkel & beach tour – Private Yacht 47 ft

12.4 hours snorkel & beach tour – Private Yacht 47 ft

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 249 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Meet the crew at Puerto Aventuras Marina for a four-hour private yacht charter. Choose a reef-and-beach route about 45 minutes away or a south-coast cove reached in about 20 minutes. Snorkel, paddleboard, fish, and eat fresh guacamole with chicken fajitas or shrimp ceviche. Crew names include Francisco, Valeria, and Lester, though the team may vary.

“Francisco, Valérie and Felix were wonderful guides. I went with my 3 sister and 4 nieces, ages 32 to 69. We were treated like royalty. Felix showed the best spot to see the fish and we spotted a turtle and stingray. For me it was a trip of a lifetime.”

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Cozumel Luxury Sailing & Snorkeling with Lunch and Open Bar Onboard - Boarding the boat and settling in
Cozumel Tours, Drinking Tours, Lunch Experiences, Playa del Carmen Boat Tours, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Tour Reviews

Cozumel Luxury Sailing & Snorkeling with Lunch and Open Bar Onboard

13.Cozumel Luxury Sailing & Snorkeling with Lunch and Open Bar Onboard

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 244 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $139

Take a catamaran from Cozumel for guided reef snorkeling, a swim stop, and time to sail, swim, or try a paddleboard. Lunch and an open bar are included; round-trip hotel transport is offered from most Cancun and Riviera Maya hotels. Plan for an extra $30 ferry fee, and confirm pickup and island time before you go.

“perfect experience and nice lunch with umlimited drinks….all kinds of cocktail free to get,do you believe it?highly recommend”

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Playa del Carmen Jungle Tour: Tulum, Cenote Snorkeling, Ziplining and Lunch - Cenote snorkeling: beautiful, cool and sometimes brief
Lunch Experiences, Playa del Carmen Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Playa del Carmen Jungle Tour: Tulum, Cenote Snorkeling, Ziplining and Lunch

14.Playa del Carmen Jungle Tour: Tulum, Cenote Snorkeling, Ziplining and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 244 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $148

Start around 7:30 am for a guided visit to Tulum’s Maya ruins, then head to Chemuyil for zip lines, a rappel and cenote swimming and snorkeling. Expect a full day of activity, a buffet lunch and hotel pickup, with a separate $20 government fee. Guides on past outings have included Alan, Marcos and José Alfredo.

“This tour is amazing and the guide Marcos was really attentive and knowledgeable! Definitely a 5star rating from us”

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Snorkeling with Caribbean fish and private cenote exploration - The guide shapes the day
Playa del Carmen Private Tours, Riviera Maya Cenote Tours, Riviera Maya Snorkeling Tours, Tour Reviews, Tulum Tours

Snorkeling with Caribbean fish and private cenote exploration

15.Snorkeling with Caribbean fish and private cenote exploration

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 212 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $169

Spend about six hours snorkeling in Tankah Bay and exploring a private cenote cave, where the route runs through roughly 600 metres of underground galleries. Guides such as Carlos, Marie and Aida have led trips, though assignments vary. Equipment, lunch and Tulum-area hotel transport are included.

“I was picked up promptly from my hotel and it turned out the two guests already on board made us a group of three. As our guide Aida said, it was like a private tour. I can’t speak highly enough of Aida: she was so knowledgeable and so ecologically committed to sustaining the wonderful environments we visited. The lagoon snorkelling was fun, but it was the cave walking and swimming that made this a trip of a lifetime, and Aida really came into her own as an expert researcher. I loved every minute! The veggie picnic wasn’t half bad either. And Un cafecito en route, fab!”

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Out on the Riviera Maya

Pick a cenote, a pyramid or a stretch of reef.