Guide to improve your snorkeling experience in Cancun Sailing

It is almost mandatory for Cancun and Riviera Maya tours to include snorkeling among their activities, and we are no exception. So today, we share our Cancun Sailing snorkeling guide so you know the whole process to plan your trip with all the necessary information.

If you come to the Caribbean, it is a must to get into the beautiful waters of this blue sea, and one of the most exciting (and accessible) ways to do it is snorkeling. There are famous snorkeling sites in Cancun and Isla Mujeres, but you will probably have to arrive by boat.

During our catamaran tours and private charters, you will see that snorkeling is included in the itinerary, so today, we will tell you a little about how and where we do this activity. We will also share the safety rules and some suggestions to prepare you before you start.

Before snorkeling, check this🐟

We recommend that you arrive at the tour with your swimsuit already on and a towel*, as once the tour begins, you may not have time or space to change onboard.

*We will provide towels if you travel onboard a Privilege Experience tour boat.

When arriving at the snorkeling area, this will happen

Once arriving at the snorkeling area, the crew will identify the visitors who wish to do the activity and provide them with the equipment according to size.

🚫Since our priority is the care of the seas, we want to avoid damage to the reefs and everything that happens when you use sunscreen. That's why, from now on, wearing sunscreen is prohibited for those who enter the sea.🚫

Is it safe to snorkel with Cancun Sailing? Snorkeling equipment

For this activity during our tours, we will allow you to use snorkeling equipment consisting of a mask, snorkel, life jacket, and fins. While the use of the equipment is optional, wearing the life jacket is mandatory at all times.

How to wear the snorkel equipment

The crew will help the visitors put on the life jackets, which means they must adjust it to your body to check that it is correctly fitted. Remember, the crew is respectful and will only touch you if necessary and for safety reasons.

⚠️ Remember to put on your fins when entering the water. Walking on the deck with the fins can cause accidents. ⚠️

Environmental Talks

While the crew helps the visitors adjust their snorkel equipment, the guide will start with the environmental talk. He will explain the importance of the reefs and marine ecosystems and the rules that must be followed to take care of the corals:

• Do not touch corals
• Swim carefully so as not to hit the corals with your fins.
• Do not touch the fauna, much less remove it from the water.
• Do not enter the water with sunscreen
• Do not drop the snorkel tube into the sea.

To learn more about our actions to care for the marine ecosystem, visit our Blue Flag page and Avante program.

🚫 RESTRICTIONS FOR AQUATIC ACTIVITIES 🚫

If you are interested in participating in aquatic activities, take into account the following safety measures:

• ⚠️Water activities are subject to weather conditions and ocean currents and are restricted for pregnant women and people who suffer from chronic diseases or have had recent surgeries. 
• ⚠️Snorkeling is restricted to children under eight years old. An adult must accompany minors under 16 during the whole activity.
• ⚠️The spinnaker is restricted to children under 18 years old and adults over 65 years old. The maximum weight for a spinnaker is 243 lb.

Where to snorkel with Cancun Sailing?

The reefs we visit during the Cancun Sailing tours are Manchones, El Farito, Sac Bajo, Barco Hundido, and El Meco.

The reef to be visited is decided on the same day according to the availability of the area, weather, and ocean currents. Private charters can choose where to go snorkeling (weather and sea currents permitting).

How long does the snorkeling at Cancun Sailing last?

The snorkel at Cancun Sailing lasts approximately 30 minutes. The time depends on the sea currents and the reef you visit.

Since this activity is done in the open sea, it can be difficult for some people. The duration is planned so that visitors do not get exhausted from the beginning of the tour and can continue with the rest of the activities.

If you wish to spend more time at sea, you can use your free time in Isla Mujeres to visit Playa Norte and enjoy its crystal clear waters. You will find restaurants and beach clubs serving the best island food there.

After snorkeling

When the snorkeling time is about to end:

• Identify your catamaran: Other boats sometimes stop to snorkel on the same reef. To avoid getting on the wrong boat, identify the name of your catamaran.
• Pay attention to the crew's directions, which will help you return to the boat.
• Take off your fins, hand them to the crew, and climb the stairs carefully. The crew will then help you remove the rest of your equipment.
• From this point on, drinking alcohol and wearing sunscreen is allowed.

♻️The crew will ask you if you want to keep your snorkel as a souvenir; however, we recommend that you return it so that it can be properly recycled to avoid it ending up in the trash or the sea.♻️

Cancun Sailing snorkel tube found on the seabed 🤦

Snorkeling tips

• When putting on the mask, ensure no hair is on your face to prevent water from seeping into the mask.
• Clean your mask well before entering the water to have a better vision.
• Get an underwater camera to get the best pictures (for example, a GoPro to take underwater pictures).
• Practice your breathing. Learn to breathe calmly through your mouth through the snorkel.
• If you feel tired, the activity is difficult, or you feel cramps, let the crew know! They will be happy to help you.
• Fill out our test to find out if you should snorkel during a Cancun Sailing tour!

Snorkeling is a favorite activity for travelers visiting tropical destinations, so don't miss the opportunity to snorkel in the Caribbean Sea!