Float above the Great Maya Reef on a half-day snorkel from Cancun, then dry off for fresh fish tacos at a beachside restaurant in Puerto Morelos. Expect calm waters, close marine life encounters, and a short stroll through a quiet fishing town.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You push off from a low-profile skiff and the shore of Puerto Morelos slides back — palms, a squat leaning lighthouse, and the spray of a beachside restaurant. The water here is calm and warm; the current nudges you toward outcrops of coral where parrotfish and angelfish thread the shallows. Surface snorkeling lets you float above the tops of the Great Maya Reef, the second-largest barrier reef in the world, while guides point out turtles, crabs and the odd spiny lobster.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most people who can swim; basic buoyancy and comfort in open water required.
Wildlife
History
Puerto Morelos grew from a fishing settlement and remains a low-rise town; its reef is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (Great Maya Reef), an ecologically significant marine corridor.
Conservation
The reef is monitored and protected—visitors are asked to avoid sunscreen in the water, wear protective swimwear, and refrain from touching coral to minimize damage and bleaching risk.
Reserve your spot on the Reef Snorkeling in National Park from Cancun with Beachside Lunch today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Arrive hydrated
Drink water before pickup—being well-hydrated helps prevent seasickness and keeps energy up for snorkeling.
Wear a sun-protection swim shirt
Sunscreen is discouraged in the water; a UPF swim shirt protects skin without harming coral.
Secure small items
Use a locker or water-resistant pouch for your phone and wallet—no in-water cameras are allowed.
Follow reef etiquette
Avoid touching coral and keep fins angled to prevent accidental kicks; listen to your guide during briefings.
Sun-protection swim shirt (rashguard)
Protects skin without reef-damaging sunscreen while providing extra warmth in the water.
summer
Reef-safe sunscreen (for shore use)
Apply before entering the boat or on the beach; avoid using it while snorkeling as requested.
summer
Water-resistant dry bag
Keeps valuables dry during transfer between hotel, boat and shore.
Comfortable water shoes or sandals
Useful for walking on rocky beach entries and the pier before and after the snorkel.
summer