Subaquatic Cancun: Exploring the aquatic wonders of the Caribbean

Cancun is Mexico's tourist destination par excellence and is well known for its paradisiacal beaches of fine white sand, crystal clear waters, and an incredible variety of aquatic activities that will make your heart beat faster. But beyond the surface, Cancun holds a fascinating underwater world that invites you to dive and explore. Welcome to Cancun Underwater!

Discover the underwater wonders of the Caribbean Sea.

The Caribbean Sea is home to immense marine biodiversity, harboring marvelous species ready to fascinate sea and nature lovers. From majestic manta rays to tropical fish of all colors, the Caribbean Sea is, without a doubt, a true underwater paradise. Among the most outstanding species are the whale shark, the queen angelfish, the lionfish, and the majestic sea turtles that nest on Cancun's coasts.

The best underwater activities in Cancun:

Cancun offers a wide range of underwater sports for the more adventurous. From exciting snorkeling to challenging scuba diving, swimming with whale sharks, coral reef watching, underwater museums, and more. Read on and choose the ideal activity for your next Cancun vacation.

Diving

Scuba diving is one of the favorite activities par excellence of people who visit Cancun, due to the beauty of its interior waters and the crystalline view that these waters offer anyone who dares to dive into the depths of the Mexican Caribbean.

But… Where can I dive in Cancun?

One of the most popular dive sites in Cancun, without a doubt, is the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA), which has hundreds of life-size sculptures located between two locations, Cancun Punta Nizuc and Isla Mujeres, West Coast.

Just imagine! Diving is like visiting a new museum, park or attraction, but this time underwater, where you can find marine species in their habitat and coexist with nature that we don't see every day. Don't forget that this activity is extreme, so take your precautions and don't forget to respect the sea and its inhabitants.

What should I know before diving in Cancun?

What should I know before diving in Cancun?

• Relax, don't despair. The waters of the Caribbean are really calm, and most of the diving tours include certified divers to help, guide, or advise you through this incredible experience.
• Be sure to adjust your equipment for the best support during your activity. Wetsuits and equipment available come in body-specific sizes, from small to large.
• Stay close to your group at all times. Safety first, remember to stay close to your dive group and the expert divers to avoid accidents or mishaps during your underwater activities.
• Follow the instructions. The tour staff and divers are experts at what they do, so be sure to follow their instructions to make the most of your diving time.
• Respect marine life. Just because you can swim with marine species does not mean you can touch them, much less disturb their natural habitat. Dive with caution and respect.

Swim with Whale Sharks

One of the best activities to do in Cancun is swimming with the Whale Shark, which takes place during the winter season. Enjoy a unique adventure while having fun with these giants of the sea. This activity is ideal for kids and adults who want to know the depths of the Caribbean Sea and swim with one of the most docile creatures of the sea at the same time.

What do I need to know about the whale shark swim experience?

By embarking on this experience, you must commit to the following:

1. Keep at least 5 or 6 meters away from the whale shark (the same distance and even more are required for boats).
2. Remember not to take pictures with flash or unnatural light.
3. Avoid making sounds to attract the shark's attention.
4. Always remember that you are the one visiting their habitat. Respect the sharks and the species that live in the sea.
5. The Whale Shark is a protected species, therefore, boats that are not performing the activity, or are waiting their turn, must wait at least 50 meters from the site of sighting of the animal.

Where can I book a whale shark swim tour?

You can book a whale shark swim tour from several agencies in Cancun or the Riviera Maya; the best agencies to book these kinds of activities are:

Cancun Sailing

Isla Contoy Experience

Cancun Adventures

Whale Shark Tour Cancun

Gluup

Learn more about this and the whale shark swim tour here.

Swim with giant turtles

If you visit Cancun, you should also expand your horizons to nearby locations such as Akumal, Holbox, and Mahahual. You can do activities such as swimming with turtles, which we assure you will not regret.

The best place to swim with turtles near Cancun is Akumal, and you can reach this beautiful place in approximately 1 h 30 min (or up to 2 h, depending on traffic and weather conditions) from downtown Cancun.

Starfish watching in Cancun

Starfish watching in Cancun is a beautiful activity that you can do with the little ones of the family, however, before venturing into an experience like this you must take into account that swimming and starfish watching in Cancun or in any destination of Quintana Roo like Cozumel (the sky) requires extensive knowledge about these serene, but impressive marine beings. 

Here are some recommendations for your starfish-watching activity in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or Cozumel.

• Don't touch starfish! ➡️️ Learn more in this article about why you shouldn't touch a starfish, which we have detailed to provide you with as much information as possible about this activity and fun facts about starfish.
• Starfish are very sensitive, so do not alter their natural habitat for any reason.
• Do not use sunscreen for this activity, as starfish capture oxygen from the water to “breathe” through their papules.

Snorkel

Snorkeling in Cancun is one of the most popular activities, especially in water parks and excursions from Cancun to Isla Mujeres.

The best places for snorkeling tours in Cancun include:

• Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA)
• Xcaret Park
• Isla Contoy
• Xel-Há park
• Cenote Dos Ojos
• Tulum
• Cozumel Reef National Park
• Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
• Punta Sur Eco Beach Park
• Coral reef “El Meco”.

Agencies with which you can book a Snorkel tour in Cancun:

Cancun Sailing, Xcaret, Total Snorkel Cancun, Garrafon park, Cancun Snorkeling y Aquaworld Cancun

The Best Snorkeling Season in Cancun

If you plan to dive in Cancun's crystal clear waters, the best time for this is from May to September, when the waters are calmer and visibility is clearer. During this period, you can admire the beauty of the coral reefs and swim among the great diversity of tropical fish that live there.

Did you know?: About Cancun and the Caribbean Sea.

1 Cancun has over 22 kilometers of beautiful beaches of fine white sand.

2 The Mesoamerican coral reef is located off the coast of Cancun and is the second largest in the world.

3 The Caribbean Sea is home to more than 1,000 different fish species.

4 In Cancun, you can find several life-size sculptures underwater, which are actually for the optimal growth of new coral to create habitats for the marine species of the Caribbean.

5 Cancun does not set its clock forward or backward. During winter, it is GMT -6 hours; in summer, it is GMT -7 hours. So, if you plan to do underwater activities in Cancun, we recommend you to organize your schedule.

6 Cancun's sand is crushed coral, so it does not burn your feet when you walk on it (except for some summer days when the temperature is +30 °C).

7 The hottest month to visit Cancun is July, while the coolest is January.

🖐️ See you on your next underwater adventure!

Tell us about your experience🌴 We want to know if our tips and information have been helpful, or if you want to add any to the list! 📝.