REVIEWS · CANCUN
The 15 best catamaran snorkeling cruises in Cancun you can book right now, each with the per-head price, the hours it runs and how much of that is spent at anchor. Number one is first for a reason.
Sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres on a lively catamaran with guides such as Ivet, Luis, Juam, and Romando. You get a short reef snorkel, national open bar, Playa Norte time, and optional buffet lunch and hotel transfers. Expect music, crowds, and a separate $20 dock tax.
“We had a blast, the staff was amazing, food was good. I'll definitely bring more family and friends.”
Sail from Playa Tortugas to El Meco reef and Isla Mujeres on a lively catamaran with guides, music, drinks, snorkeling, and a buffet meal. You get island time, but the exact free-time schedule can vary. Hotel pickup is available in Cancun’s Hotel Zone.
“Cancelled two days in a row, late message, only talk about new date, not staying anyting about refund or discount”
Sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres for a short guided snorkel, open-bar catamaran ride, Mexican buffet, beach-club time, and a downtown stop. Guides such as Daphne, Fernando, Pancho, and Alex have earned praise for keeping the day lively. Expect a large group, a late lunch on the 1 p.m. departure, and a separate $45 dock and reef fee.
“It was cancelled and they didn’t tell us and still haven’t communicated or refunded me. Called them and messaged several times with no response”
Spend 8 to 10 hours sailing from Cancun to Isla Mujeres with a lively crew, national open bar, reef snorkeling, beach-club access, and free island time. Guides may include Dany, Paul, or Carlos. Choose carefully: lunch and hotel transport are optional, and the $20 port fee is extra.
“We did upgrade, and it was worth the cost. The buffet was the worst part of the whole experience. The food was not good, and the selection was lacking. Our crew was great and very kind. We enjoyed the day!”
Sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres on a Xcaret catamaran, stop at El Meco Reef for guided snorkeling, then enjoy a beach club, buffet or box lunch, drinks, downtown free time, and Cancun’s Scenic Tower. The tour lasts about 7 hours 45 minutes and costs $74.66, plus a $20 dock fee.
“I chose this snorkelling adventure because we were over 60 and the other ones wouldn't take people over the age of 60. So we were very surprised once on board to find out we couldn't snorkel and that it was a harbour master rule of 60 years of age. When I booked the tour I said in the comments our ages and that we were great swimmers but I think that since everyone has so little English that the comment was passed over. When we checked in though the lady didn't say anything about it when she saw our ID. Other people said the snorkelling wasn't good anyway because of…”
Spend about 7.5 hours sailing from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, snorkeling at Bahia Mujeres, eating a buffet lunch, and exploring the island. Guides such as Oscar and Andres have earned praise for keeping the day lively and organized, but expect a social boat, persistent vendors, and a short, current-sensitive snorkel.
“The snorkeling is for only about 20 mins before you get to the island. They bring you to a tourist trap where they ripped me off $350 for 2 small bottles of tequila. They wrapped the bottles up so fast I wasn’t able to examine them but they were not what they said they were. I would say the boat ride was nice but taking a fairy over and exploring on your own would be much better. If you’re interested in the snorkeling part, find a different tour. Would not recommend. Not worth the money. The Black Pearl where the boat brings you is a total rip off. Avoid at…”
Sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres with a bilingual crew, snorkel at El Meco’s coral reef, then spend three hours on the island. The $49 fare includes equipment, guides, and an onboard open bar after snorkeling, but reef, port, and optional food fees add to the cost.
“Started out great with the exception that the tour was scheduled for 10AM and the morning of at 8:30AM- I asked a question about the extra fee and confirmed location and found out they wanted us ther by 9:30AM. Poor Communication. That in itself would not qualify 1 star - it's what happened after we go to Isla Mujeres. They said they would help us find a golf cart - our catamaran guide took us to a man on the street and he said he needed cash, we took out cash, gave him our driver's license then he had someone take us on a cart (only 2 of the 7…”
From Marina La Bonita, you sail to Puerto Morelos National Marine Park with a certified guide and a group capped at 18. Expect about 30 to 45 minutes of reef snorkeling, a ham and cheese baguette lunch, and an open bar. Crew members such as Jose, Arturo, Martin, and Ulysses have earned praise for friendly service and careful supervision.
“It was so worth it; the water was simply clear with beautiful corals, and the team was very attentive.”
Spend about 8.5 hours sailing from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, snorkeling with certified guides, enjoying a Mexican buffet and national open bar, visiting the beach club, and exploring downtown. Pickup is offered from Cancun and Riviera Maya hotels. Guides named in past outings include Monse, Leti, Miguel, and Israel.
“We got placed on a boat called 'Manta'. The tour guide was unprofessional and unorganized. He gave us no useful instructions for the snorkeling prior to getting in the water, other than how to put our masks on. He gave us no plan, no instructions, nothing. He yelled conflicting commands the entire time while we were snorkeling. He would yell at everyone to follow him very quickly, then yell at someone for swimming and not staying still. He would yell at everyone to keep our faces below the water but then we couldn't see him to follow him??? We snorkeled for a total of 10 minutes and most of the…”
You’ll cruise from Cancun to Isla Mujeres on a lively catamaran with snorkeling at El Meco Reef, an open bar, buffet lunch, free island time, and a visit to the -18°C Icebar. Guide Erick has earned praise for keeping the boat safe and fun, but confirm pickup details and the 800 MXN docking fee before booking.
“do not book!! we booked one day trip with transfer from hotal. got information shows pickup location is hotel lobby. pickup time set for 11am, we waited at lobby and when at 11:30 transfer asked we walked out the hotel to meet with the driver. we required more information about driver and pickup vehicle information, did nfraud!t reply till 12pm. and at 12pm we been told, driver had left as we did not meet with him!!! we required refund got refused and ask for 350pes to reschedule the trip, but when we ask how to research no one reply after! never heard anything back since that. its fraud! you paid…”
Spend about eight hours sailing from Cancun to Isla Mujeres, snorkeling at Chaacmol coral reef, visiting Playa Norte, and eating at Restaurante Albatros. Expect music, a domestic open bar, buffet lunch, and a group of up to 90 people. Pickup is available in Cancun’s Hotel Zone.
“The snorkelling was excellent with lots of turtles on the way, fish and the coral reef. Guide looked after us all. Rain spoilt the stop at Isla Murgeres. Great 3 hours on the beach and party trip on the way home. Only issue:The sales team do a heavy sale on an upgrade to Platinum but did not deliver on the food and wine package on the island. Total rip off.”
Sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres on a catamaran with an open national bar, organized snorkeling, spinnaker rides when weather allows, beach-club buffet, and about 90 minutes of island time. Guides including Pancho, Alex, Fernando, and Fabian may lead the day. Transport is optional.
“Super fun, Star 4 was the best we had a blast and it was an ALL DAY memorable experience! FABIAN was a great host and was very attentive I would highly recommend this activity to anybody looking to have a blast while at the same time enjoying the beautiful things this region has to offer.”
Sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres on a catamaran with snorkeling, music, national drinks, spinnaker flying when weather allows, and a Mexican buffet. You get 1.5 hours on the island, plus beach-club time. Guides such as Cruz, Pancho, Mosquito, Eric, and Nancy have been praised for keeping the mood lively.
“Very fun tour! We started with snorkeling, drinks and music were flowing, the staff was very responsible and fun! We totally recommend to do this tour!”
Sail from Cancún to Isla Mujeres on a catamaran with guides such as Luis, Pancho, and Fernando, then snorkel, eat at a beach club, and explore the island. The $34.90 fare includes drinks and lunch, but add 850 MXN per person for local ecotaxes and service fees.
“Transportation was late, but besides that tour was great. Snorkeling last about 30 minutes and the water can be rough depending on the wind. Crew was fun and entertaining. Isle Mejerus was nice, typical tour is area, lots of shops. Meal was a Mexican buffet which was really good we all enjoyed it. Overall I recommend this excursion, wish the boat would have been a little bigger. Felt cramped.”
Sail from Cancun to Isla Mujeres on a lively catamaran with snorkeling, music, open bar, one hour at Playa Norte, and a buffet lunch at a private beach club. Fernando and the crew keep the mood festive, but allow for a $30 reef fee and possible transport delays.
“Our disastrous trip began with being told the wrong pick-up point, so the bus left without us. The company apologised and rebooked us. On our second try, the driver never showed, and we were told to take a taxi, which they agreed to cover. We barely made it to the crowded boat. We only stopped for 25 minutes at the beach, not the advertised hour. Later, we were encouraged to book a golf cart tour. The carts were rusty, and ours barely worked. After a small bump into a tree, we were told to switch carts. The tour itself was pleasant, but back at the dock we were accused of…”
By what the day is for, by what comes with the ticket, or by who else is aboard.
