Best Snorkel Experiences in Playa del Carmen

Among the many things to see and do in Playa del Carmen you can not miss snorkeling in its crystal clear waters, which allow you to enjoy the underwater scenery with total clarity, being the coral reefs one of the main wonders. Contemplating the marine fauna is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, which is why this activity is among the best excursions and tours in Playa del Carmen.

If snorkeling is an interesting and enchanting aquatic activity, swimming in the company of a group of sea turtles gives it an unbeatable extra touch.

Just an hour from Playa del Carmen is Akumal, a natural sanctuary where the reef landscape is simply magnificent and, among other marine animals, you can have the most wonderful encounters with turtles. May to September is the best season, and you can even watch them approaching the shore to eat.

The entrance fee to this beach is approximately 5 euros, which is usually included in what you pay for the tour. Keep in mind that this amount goes to the cooperative that takes care of the area. To see the turtles, just put on your snorkel gear and you are ready to go.

Although it is an activity that you can do on your own, I recommend you to choose among the many snorkeling and swimming with turtles tours, as the local guides will tell you many interesting things about these curious animals and even other species present in the reef.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 45 euros per person
• Duration: about 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Means of transportation: Some of these tours can pick you up at the hotel or, if you prefer, meet your group at the entrance of Akumal, 37 km from Playa del Carmen. You can take a bus that will drop you off at the entrance of the village and then you will have to walk 1 km to the beach.
• Advantages of this option: you will see a great variety of marine animals for a fair price.
• Disadvantages of this option: depending on the time of year, you may not see many turtles, although you may see other marine animals.

If you want to get away for a few hours and enjoy a truly magical underwater landscape, don't hesitate to take a tour of Playa del Carmen's coral reefs.

The starting point is the Diving Center, from where, for a price starting at 45 euros, you will take a boat along with professional guides, and in just a few minutes you will be in the ideal spot to take a dive and enjoy an unforgettable experience.

The coral reef of the Riviera Maya is one of the most impressive in the world and in this incredible landscape you can delight yourself with the most colorful tropical marine species. Before you dive, the guide will give you indications about what you are going to see and will offer you the best tips to make the experience complete.

When you want to take a break from the water, you can get on the boat and relax with some delicious fruits, letting the sea breeze relax you completely. When you return to the hotel, you still have a few hours left to close the day with some other activity, such as going to enjoy your tickets for the Cirque du Soleil in Playa del Carmen.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 45 euros per person.
• Duration: about 1 hour.
• Transportation: some tours include transportation to the snorkeling club.
• Advantages of this option: you don't have to worry about snorkeling equipment, just enjoy the activity and the scenery.
• Disadvantages of this option: you will depend on good weather to fully enjoy this activity.

This excursion has a duration of one day and a price of around 110 euros. It is a relaxing trip along the Riviera Maya, departing from Playa del Carmen, aboard a luxurious catamaran.

At some point along the way, the captain stops the ship, most probably at Inah Reef, which is one of the best spots to enjoy snorkeling. It's time to put on your mask and the rest of the equipment, and into the water!

You will dive into the Caribbean Sea itself to enjoy its grandeur. The seascapes and the species you can see in the open water are magnificent.

At lunchtime you will be served a gourmet meal with that deliciousness that characterizes the dishes of this region of the world. The food is freshly prepared, and to relax at the end of the excursion, you can sit at the open bar and simply enjoy the scenery and the sea air. A perfect day!

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 110 euros per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transportation: You have to get to Port Aventuras. By bus you will be there in 20 minutes, for only 2 euros.
• Advantages of this option: You will spend a full afternoon of fun with lunch included.
• Disadvantages of this option: No transportation to and from the hotel.

Taking one of the tours to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen is one of the best ideas you can have during your stay in this Mexican town.

This island is surrounded by the most beautiful beaches and a seemingly impossible blue sea. In those waters, snorkeling is as perfect as it is unforgettable.

The best excursion is the one that takes you to the Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park. The price is usually around 140 euros and the duration can be from 7 hours to a whole day.

Besides getting to know the local fauna that is protected in this natural reserve, you will be able to dive in delicious warm waters and contemplate a fragment of one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 120 euros per person.
• Duration: between 7 and 10 hours.
• Means of transportation: this type of tour includes pick up and return to the hotel.
• Advantages of this option: these are small group activities that guarantee excellent personalized attention.
• Disadvantages of this option: you will depend on good weather for the experience to be complete.

Discover two different ecosystems in a complete tour that takes you first to one of the most attractive beaches of the Riviera, to enjoy the wonderful scenery of the coral reefs and its colorful and lively marine fauna.

Then, the tour continues to one of the cenotes, to dive now in fresh waters and explore this new landscape, with an unimaginable charm. This is a tour included among the best tours to visit Tulum, the most impressive Mayan ruins and one of the places where you can swim in a cenote. Tulum is simply an unforgettable stop for snorkeling. The experience of swimming in a cenote is more than unique. The tour is priced at around 100 euros and can last about 8 hours, in which it is worth every minute. The whole scenery from the water, up and down, will make you understand why the Mayas considered these natural sites a sacred place.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 100 euros per person.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Means of transportation: this type of tour includes pick up and return to the hotel.
• Advantages of this option: You will have a complete experience of Mexico's best attractions, including beaches, ruins, cenote swimming and coral reefs.
• Disadvantages of this option: Professional photographs are at an additional cost.

If the idea of swimming in a cenote has conquered you, imagine what this mystical experience would be like if you were to visit the 4 most impressive cenotes in the Riviera Maya.

Departing from Playa del Carmen you can have the best 4-hour getaway in Kantun Chi, for a price of approximately 100 euros per person, being four adults, the minimum number required.

The tour takes you to know much of the history of the Mayas who inhabited the area. Then there are the magnificent cenotes, one open, two semi-open and one closed. In all of them you can swim and snorkel, discovering an unforgettable nature.

This is another of those excursions that you can do on your own, arriving at the park and acquiring the tickets there. However, I recommend that you book one of the best tours to the cenotes from Playa del Carmen to arrive comfortably and have a guide to inform you of everything.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 100 euros per person.
• Duration: about 6 hours.
• Means of transportation: pick up and drop off at the hotel.
• Advantages of this option: you will visit 4 of the best cenotes in Mexico.
• Disadvantages of this option: some options do not include lunch.

Combining snorkeling with a breathtaking experience is a phenomenal feeling.

The imposing whale shark is one of the most impressive creatures in the entire ocean and on this tour you will have the incredible opportunity to swim close to these inhabitants of the sea.

The best time is between May and September, when a large group of whale sharks approaches the shores of Playa del Carmen. These marine animals are very peaceful and have no problem with humans swimming around them.

It is a protected species, so the rules for this adventure are very specific.

To know them in detail you must sign up for the tour, which can be priced from 115 euros per person, but keep in mind that the minimum is two participants.

The experience begins with a short briefing and then the group will go to meet the largest shark in the world. It is essential to follow the guides' instructions to the letter, both for your own sake and out of respect for this magnificent creature. Once in the water, you can snorkel and observe the sharks until it is your turn to approach and swim with him, with the assistance of the guide and respecting the safe distances.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 115 euros per person.
• Duration: about 7 hours.
• Means of transportation: this type of tour offers pick up and drop off at the hotel.
• Advantages of this option: includes everything you need for an ideal experience. From snorkeling equipment to lunch.
• Disadvantages of this option: it does not include the environmental tax that you will have to pay in cash and has a price of 10 euros approximately.

If you like to combine fun, this is a tour that you will love. It is an opportunity to get to know the Mexican jungle driving a powerful all-terrain vehicle, jump on a zip line and finish the adventure snorkeling in two cenotes, where there will be no shortage of enchanting landscapes in and out of the water.

The activity lasts approximately 4 hours and costs around 90 euros for two adults. I assure you that you will take the best memories of your vacation, especially if you like tours with buggy rides.

Lunch is included (usually the typical Mexican tamales). The guides are trained to give you all the indications you need. You will have the chance to enjoy almost an hour driving through the jungle and then an additional hour to visit and swim in an open cenote.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 65 euros per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Transportation: this type of tour includes pick up and drop off at the hotel.
• Advantages of this option: it is one of the most complete experiences, with a variety of activities both in and out of the water.
• Disadvantages of this option: Some hotels may not be available for the transportation service and you may have to transfer to a meeting point.

This private tour is ideal for fishing enthusiasts. The experience lasts half a day and is priced at 420 euros per person, with a minimum of 3 participants. This adventure combines snorkeling with spear fishing in specific places full of charm.

When you sign up for the tour, you will receive the rules to make the activity completely safe and fun. In addition, specialized and safety equipment is included, so you only need to bring your desire to have fun.

You will have the support of two guides, who will tell you which species can be caught and the places where you will find them during this adventure. To decide the destination, the professionals will take into account the experience of the participants and the weather conditions.

One of the best details of this spearfishing and snorkeling tour is that it touches different spots, with opportunities to find a variety of aquatic species and in different landscapes and depths.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 420 euros per person.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Means of transportation: you will have to get to the meeting point and meet the guide. These tours usually depart from Cozumel.
• Advantages of this option: the guides guarantee sightings of interesting aquatic species, as well as good fishing. You don't need to bring anything, they provide everything.
• Disadvantages of this option: no transportation to and from the hotel.

The first thing to keep in mind is that you are in an area of great ecological value, which is also a protected area with species of marine fauna and flora that we must take care of carefully.

That is why it is essential to follow the instructions of the guides and enjoy each of the experiences they offer us, without altering this natural wonder. One of the most important is to avoid the use of sunscreen and wear UVE protective shirts instead.

Most tours offer snacks, hydration and, depending on the duration, lunch. This can make the prices vary a bit, but in my opinion, it is worth it to include everything so you only have to concentrate on the enjoyment.

Many of these excursions allow you to buy the photographs, but you should be aware and add this additional service before starting the adventure. Something else you should coordinate in advance is the shuttle service to and from the hotel, as some always include it, while others offer it as an extra.

Several of these activities can be done on your own. However, there are many advantages you can get if you decide to enjoy them under the guidance of professionals, such as learning more about the fauna, flora and geography of this magnificent paradise.

Besides, if you hire a guided tour you will not have to worry about transportation, since they organize everything. Even when hotel pick-up is not included, the information that the guides can give you will make everything easier.