Puerto Morelos Reef Snorkelling Tour with Beach Lunch Cancun
Overview
This snorkelling tour takes you to the Puerto Morelos reef, part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, with snorkelling gear, a bilingual guide and a light beach lunch. You can choose a morning or afternoon trip, and either hotel pick-up or a meeting point. There is free time to wander the small town of Puerto Morelos or relax on the beach. It suits beginners, couples and families with children aged six and up who want to see colourful fish and coral without a long boat ride.
Highlights
- Snorkel the Puerto Morelos reef in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef system
- Snorkelling gear and a bilingual English and Spanish guide included
- Light lunch by the beach and free time in the town
- Morning or afternoon departures
- Options with hotel pick-up from most Cancun and Riviera Maya hotels
- Lowest-cost options from designated meeting points
Full Description
The Puerto Morelos reef
The reef off Puerto Morelos is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world, and it lies close to the shore in a national reef park. Its shallow waters shelter a mix of hard and soft corals, sponges and schools of tropical fish, and it is a favourite spot for a Puerto Morelos snorkelling tour from Cancun.
All marine life lives freely in its natural habitat, so sightings cannot be guaranteed, but the calm conditions and the variety of coral make it a good place for beginners. Your guide gives instructions and helps you enter the water, and you should tell the guide if you are a nervous swimmer.
Snorkelling rules and reef protection
To protect the reef, federal regulations restrict what you can bring into the water. Cameras, phones and smartwatches are not permitted during the snorkelling, and only sun protection that is safe for reefs should be used, so please ask your guide before applying anything. Do not touch or stand on the corals.
A reef tax and a refundable locker deposit are paid locally in cash, and neither is included in the ticket. The gear is provided, and the guide explains how to breathe and clear your mask, so no experience is needed. Guests who are pregnant, over 65 or have heart or back problems are advised not to join.
Puerto Morelos town and the beach lunch
Puerto Morelos is a small fishing town about half an hour south of Cancun, with a central square, a pier, a beach promenade and a famous leaning lighthouse. It is quieter and more local than the big resort areas, and it is pleasant to wander between the snorkelling and lunch.
A light lunch is included at a beachfront restaurant, and drinks are paid separately. The free time gives you a chance to relax on the sand or browse the small craft stalls. The best time to visit Puerto Morelos for snorkelling is on a calm morning when the water is clearest.
Choosing your option and time of day
There are four options: a morning or afternoon tour with hotel pick-up, and a morning or afternoon tour from a meeting point. Hotel pick-up covers most Cancun and Riviera Maya hotels and some Tulum hotels, and it is the more convenient way to travel. Meeting-point options start in Cancun city centre, Playa del Carmen or Tulum and are the lowest cost.
The activity is listed as about 4 hours with pick-up and 6 hours from a meeting point, and transport time can make the whole day longer. Morning tours often have calmer water and fewer boats, while afternoon tours suit late risers. Ask us if you need help choosing.
Itinerary
- Pick-up or meeting pointBe ready for hotel pick-up or meet at the designated point in Cancun, Playa del Carmen or Tulum.
- Transfer to Puerto MorelosTravel by transport arranged by the tour to the departure point for the reef.
- Snorkelling on the reefSnorkel with your guide and gear, looking for coral and tropical fish.
- Beach lunchEnjoy a light lunch by the beach.
- Free time in Puerto MorelosRelax on the beach or wander through the small town.
- ReturnRide back to your hotel or meeting point.
What's included
- Snorkelling gear
- Bilingual guide (Spanish and English)
- Light lunch
- Transport from the meeting point
Not included
- Hotel pick-up
- Reef tax (paid locally)
- Refundable locker deposit
- Beverages at the restaurant
Not suitable for
- Children under 5 years
- Pregnant women
- People over 65 years
- People with back or heart problems
Meeting point
The options with hotel pick-up collect you from most Cancun and Riviera Maya hotels and from selected Tulum hotels, with a time confirmed after booking. The meeting-point options start from a designated point in Cancun city centre, Playa del Carmen or Tulum, shown on your voucher. The morning tour starts at 10:00 and the afternoon tour at 14:00.
Important information
- Bring swimwear, a towel, a sun hat and beachwear.
- The reef tax is paid locally and is not included; a refundable locker deposit is also paid locally.
- Cameras, phones and smartwatches are not permitted during the snorkelling, and only sun protection that is safe for reefs may be used.
- Cash is recommended for the reef tax and locker deposit.
- Beverages at the restaurant are not included.
- Transport time may not be included in the activity duration.
- Marine life is wild and sightings cannot be guaranteed.
- Not suitable for children under 5, pregnant women, people over 65 or people with heart or back problems.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Puerto Morelos snorkelling tour cost?
The price depends on the option you choose, the date and how many adults and children travel. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for each option, adult and child, so you can compare before you pay.
Is hotel pickup included?
It depends on the option. The morning and afternoon options with hotel pick-up collect you from most Cancun and Riviera Maya hotels and some Tulum hotels. The meeting-point options start from designated points in Cancun city centre, Playa del Carmen or Tulum, and do not include hotel pick-up.
How long is the Puerto Morelos snorkelling tour?
The options with hotel pick-up are listed as about 4 hours of activity, and the meeting-point options as about 6 hours including transport. Transport time is not always included in the activity time, so your day may be longer than listed.
Is the Puerto Morelos snorkelling tour suitable for children?
Yes for children aged 6 to 17, who have their own ticket type in the booking panel. The tour is not suitable for children under 5, pregnant women, people over 65 or people with back or heart problems. Children must be comfortable swimming in open water.
What should I wear and bring?
Bring swimwear, a towel, a sun hat, beachwear and cash for the reef tax and the locker deposit. Cameras, phones and smartwatches are not permitted in the sea, and only reef-safe sun protection should be used, so ask your guide.
Can I book the Puerto Morelos snorkelling tour for today or tomorrow?
Yes, when places are still open. Choose a date in the booking panel and it shows what is available for that day. Popular dates and school holidays fill up early, so we suggest booking as soon as your plans are fixed.
What is the difference between the options?
The four options cover the same reef snorkelling with a light beach lunch, snorkelling gear and a bilingual guide. They differ in the time of day, morning or afternoon, and in the start: two options include hotel pick-up and are shorter, and two start from a meeting point and are the lowest-cost. The reef tax is paid locally in every option.
Is Puerto Morelos good for snorkelling?
Yes. The reef is close to the shore and part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, with calm, shallow water that suits beginners.
How far is Puerto Morelos from Cancun?
Puerto Morelos is about 35 kilometres south of Cancun, roughly a 30 to 40 minute drive.
Can I bring my phone or camera in the water?
No. Cameras, phones and smartwatches are not permitted during the snorkelling because of reef protection regulations.
