Best Snorkel Experiences in Playa del Carmen

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

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

Just an hour from Playa del Carmen is Akumal, a natural sanctuary where the reef scenery 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 the price of the tour. Please note that this amount goes to the cooperative that takes care of the area. To see the turtles, just put on your snorkelling gear and off you go.

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

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 45 euros per person
• Duration: about 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Means of transport: Some of these tours can pick you up at your 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 escape 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 Centre, 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 at 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 colourful tropical marine species. Before you dive, the guide will give you indications about what you are going to see and offer you the best tips to make the experience complete.

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

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 45 euros per person.
• Duration: about 1 hour.
• Means of transport: some tours include transfer to the snorkelling club.
• Advantages of this option: you don't have to worry about snorkelling 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 lasts one day and costs 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 boat, most likely at Inah Reef which is one of the best spots to enjoy snorkelling. It's time to strap on your mask and the rest of your gear, 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 the deliciousness that characterises 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 out!

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 110 euros per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transport: 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 fun afternoon with lunch included.
• Disadvantages of this option: No transport 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 an impossibly blue sea. In these waters, snorkelling is as perfect as it is unforgettable.

The best excursion is the one 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.

As well as getting to know the local fauna that is protected in this natural reserve, you will be able to dive in the 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 transport: this type of tour includes pick-up and drop-off at the hotel.
• Advantages of this option: these are small group activities that guarantee excellent personalised 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 colourful and lively marine fauna.

Afterwards, 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 one of 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 a simply unforgettable stop for snorkelling. The experience of swimming in a cenote is more than unique. The trip costs around 100 euros and can take up to 8 hours, which is worth every minute. The entire landscape from the water, up and down, will make you understand why the Mayans considered these natural sites a sacred place.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 100 euros per person.
• Duration: about 8 hours.
• Means of transport: this type of tour includes pick-up and drop-off at 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 won you over, 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 ultimate 4-hour Kantun Chi getaway, for a price of approximately 100 euros per person, with four adults being the minimum number required.

The tour takes you through much of the history of the Mayan people 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 buying the tickets there. However, I recommend that you book one of the best tours to the cenotes from Playa del Carmen so that you can get there comfortably and have a guide to inform you about everything.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 100 euros per person.
• Duration: about 6 hours.
• Means of transport: 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 snorkelling 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 denizens of the sea.

The best time is between May and September, when a large group of whale sharks come close to 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 get to know them in detail you must sign up for the tour, which can be priced from 115 euros per person, but you must bear in mind that the minimum number of participants is two.

The experience begins with a short briefing and then the group will go to meet the world's largest shark. 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 watch the sharks until it's your turn to approach and swim with the shark, with the assistance of the guide and respecting safe distances.

Details of interest

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

If you like to combine the fun, this is a tour you'll love. This is an opportunity to get to know the Mexican jungle by driving a powerful off-road vehicle, jumping down a zip line and ending the adventure by snorkelling in two cenotes, where there is 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 home the best memories of your holiday, especially if you like buggy tours.

Lunch is included (usually the typical Mexican tamales). The guides are trained to give you all the directions you need. You will have the possibility 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.
• Means of transport: 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 transport 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 snorkelling with spear fishing in specific charming spots.

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

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 snorkelling tour is that it touches different spots, with opportunities to encounter 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 transport: 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: there is no transport to and from the hotel.

The first thing to bear 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 must be carefully looked after.

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 refreshments, hydration and, depending on the duration, lunch. This can make the prices vary a little, but in my opinion, it is worth it to include everything so that you only have to concentrate on the enjoyment.

Many of these excursions allow you to purchase photographs, but you should be aware of this additional service before you set off on your 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.

Many of these activities can be done on your own. However, there are many advantages to be gained 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.

Moreover, if you hire a guided tour you won't have to worry about transport, as they organise everything. Even when hotel pick-up is not included, the information the guides can give you will make everything easier.