
moderate
7–8 hours
Suitable for travelers in average shape; snorkeling requires basic swimming ability and short periods treading water.
Spend a day skimming seven distinct bays of Bahías de Huatulco—snorkeling vibrant reefs, watching dolphins, and ending with a wood-oven seafood-stuffed pineapple at Maguey Bay. This full-day boat tour balances wildlife viewing, cultural stories, and practical snorkeling with bilingual guides.
The boat cuts loose from the dock before the day heats up, engines soft against the glassy bay as gulls wheel overhead and the cliffs of Huatulco throw long, cool shadows. You can already taste salt and roasted pineapple when the captain eases past the first crescent of sand—each bay on this full-day run has a different personality: the hush of a protected cove, the wind-scoured drama of a blowhole, the market chatter beside a fisher’s palapa. By mid-morning the water turns the color of chipped turquoise and the guide is already pointing: dolphins slashing through the swells, a sea turtle surfacing like a slow thought.

Protect skin and coral—apply biodegradable sunscreen before boarding and reapply as directed after snorkeling.
If you get seasick, take medication an hour before departure and sit mid-boat where motion is least felt.
Use a small dry bag for phone, camera, and cash; expect spray during passages and when the boat approaches Bufadero.
Vendors at Maguey and San Agustín accept cash for drinks, tips, and souvenirs—ATMs are limited near the bays.
Santa Cruz Bay served as an important colonial port; local fishing and palapa-building traditions reflect centuries of coastal living and trade.
Most bays lie within Huatulco National Park where anchoring on reefs is restricted and turtle fishing is illegal—stick to marked moorings and use reef-safe products.
A well-fitting mask improves visibility and comfort during the guided reef swims.
Protects your skin and the park’s coral—apply before boarding and after swimming.
summer specific
A UV shirt and wide-brim hat cut glare during open-water cruising and lunch on the sand.
summer specific
Keeps phone, camera, and cash safe from spray and accidental dunking.