Snorkeling in Cancun - best tours

[lll1929]

I have been reading about snorkeling tours in cancun and there are very mixed reviews. I wanted to get feedback from my Tugger family.

I will be traveling to Cancun with my friend and daughter. We are all 40 and under. My friend is a first time snorkeler. My daughter and I will be traveling with our own snorkeling equipment.

I don't like to be rushed when I snorkel and want to see alot of marine life. I don't mind an excursion with alcohol included. I also don't mind spending the whole day on the excursion, but would like it to include beach time and ziplining if its a whole day.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

 

[Janann]

Xel-Ha and Xcaret

Have you looked at Xel-ha and Xcaret parks? Neither has absolutely fantastic snorkeling, but both are good for a beginner snorkeler and an all day visit.

 

[BoaterMike]

From Cancun you can probably find a excursion or guide that will take you to Puerto Morelos. It's 20-25 minutes south of Cancun. There is a reef just off shore that offers excellent snorkeling. The tour operators may offer lunch and beverages at one of the restaurants on the beach.

This is always one of our favorite day trips, however, we typically come up from Playa.

Mike

 

[RALnGA]

My Wife and I used "The Orginial Snorkeling Adventure",booked through the Westin Lagunamar.We were picked up at the resort in a van then contiuned to other hotels picking others up along the way.It was a good hour ride south before we came to a beach set up with tables and chairs.
Some brought their own fins and mask and for the rest of us were supplied fins mask and life vest .We boarded 3 small boats and went about a mile out to a reef .The head guide got out and said to follow him and to stay close, two other "workers " watched and made sure everyone was going the right way.Mean while the boats took off about 100 yard down the reef.The water was choppy and the current was strong.The reef was right under you from 4 ft down to 30 ft deep .We saw a lot of different fish and coral.
Being a Newbie at snorkling it was amazing...but the thought of the boats leaving us and being so far away and only 3 people that could help you if you were to get in trouble that kind of had me worried,after all it was about 50 of us snorkleing at one time.We did 3 different dives about an hour long each.
Between dives we were fed and after the last dive alcohol was served..
All in all it was an experience that I would not do again out in wide open water. I like just wading out on the beach and snorkeling in calm coves.
RAL

 

[Blue Skies]

From Cancun you can probably find a excursion or guide that will take you to Puerto Morelos. It's 20-25 minutes south of Cancun. There is a reef just off shore that offers excellent snorkeling. The tour operators may offer lunch and beverages at one of the restaurants on the beach.

This is always one of our favorite day trips, however, we typically come up from Playa.

Mike

We took a tour to Puerto Morelos several years ago called Snorkel Adventure that was pretty good. We booked it through Thomas More at the Royal Sands for around $70. We caught the bus at Pat O'Briens at 9-10 am. They supplied all the equipment, we took boats out to the reef, two different areas in the morning. Then lunch, which was a very good meal, fish, rice and more, unlimited beer & soda. After lunch you could rest on the beach or play beach volleyball. After lunch, back out to the reef for one more dive. Then back on the bus to Cancun. We got back later afternoon.

Don't know if anything has changed since then. There was no zip-lining or anything, just snorkeling and lunch.

I think you can read reviews on Trip Advisor about this tour.

 

[lll1929]

Thanks everyone for the information. I have read the reviews for Snorkel Adventure on tripadvisors and they aren't very good (but we know they aren't always accurate).

Glad to know Tuggers have a different experience.