SnorkelForecast.com

Cancun Snorkel Report Today

Mexico · Updated Thu 06:22 (EST) · Source: Snapshot

The skinny

Marginal Data updated Thu 06:22 (EST)

Cancun looks marginal today. The least-bad daylight window is around Thu 12:00, but waves is limiting the forecast.

Right now (forecast)

Poor · 0.0/10

Thu 06:00 (EST)

Later today

Fair · 5.5/10

Thu 12:00 (EST)

Next three days

Good · 5.9/10

Fri 07:00 (EST)

Model estimates using Open-Meteo; not observations or safety guarantees. Check official advisories and conditions at the beach.

Score: 5.5/10

Best time: Thu 12:00

Main risk: Waves

Best morning signal: Thu 07:00 (Fair).

Best afternoon signal: Thu 12:00 (Fair). Peak afternoon wind is about 3.1 m/s.

Email me when it is good Compare nearby spots Tours & water activities

Best nearby spots later today

Isla Mujeres 5.3/10 Fair · Thu 13:00 Puerto Morelos 5.0/10 Fair · Thu 18:00 Punta Nizuc 4.8/10 Fair · Thu 07:00

Also see the best places to snorkel in the Caribbean, ranked on our stored historical scores.

Plan your visit

These notes help with planning. Rules and closures can change.

Open map

AccessCancun hotel-zone water is often murkier than Isla Mujeres, Punta Nizuc or Puerto Morelos. Use those reef reports, not the hotel beach, for a snorkel call.

ParkingParking and boat-harbour rules vary by operator and town. Use marked spaces and never block ramps or residents.

ReservationsMany of the best reefs here are boat-only. Book a permitted operator and ask about weather cancellations.

ClosuresWind, swell, and park rules can close a site even when the town beach looks calm. Check the official source before entering.

Marine lifeDo not touch, chase, or feed marine life. Stay off coral and follow local park rules.

CONANP marine parks

Sunrise

06:35

Sunset

18:48

Water

28.7°C

Max air

31.2°C

Sky

Clear

12% cloud

Good model window in the next 72 hours

Next good model window: Fri 07:00–08:00 (8% of the next 72h meets the model threshold)

3-day planner Best available Show data

3-day planner

Thursday

⚠️ Fair conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Friday

✅ Good conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Saturday

✅ Good conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Best available hours

The next good model window starts at Fri 07:00 and lasts until 08:00.

Why this verdict

Main blockers across the next 72 hours:

  • Waves (71 hours)
  • Tide/current (59 hours)
  • Darkness (35 hours)

Jellyfish drift risk

Drift estimate from wind, swell, current and warm water.

Low · 32/100

Low peak drift risk around Thu 19:00.

warm water supports seasonal jellyfish activity; surface drift/current is noticeable; local shoreline exposure is not mapped yet.

Sightings override the model: if you see small purple jellyfish with long trailing tentacles, treat them as sting-capable and give them space.

Upcoming high tides

Fri 17:00, Sat 17:00

Bookable snorkel tours near Cancun

Prices and availability from Viator. Check conditions before you book.

We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Reef Snorkeling in National Park with Beach Club & Lunch

Reef Snorkeling in National Park with Beach Club & Lunch

4.7/5 2754 reviews 4h
From USD 29.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Small-Group Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos

Small-Group Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos

4.9/5 528 reviews 2h
From USD 45.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

A wonderful tour through the canals of the Nichupte Lagoon!

3 in 1 Jungle Speedboat and Snorkeling in Cancun

4.9/5 194 reviews 2h 30m
From USD 69.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Cancun Jetski and Snorkel Adventure

Cancun Jetski and Snorkel Adventure

4.3/5 129 reviews 2h
From USD 75.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Tulum, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote & Mayan Ceremony

Tulum, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote & Mayan Ceremony

4.8/5 4339 reviews 8h
From USD 129.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Cancun speedboat and snorkel tour: shared speedboat

Cancun speedboat and snorkel tour: shared speedboat

4.7/5 1525 reviews 2h
From USD 56.05 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Nearby snorkel spot map

Compare nearby spot forecasts for later today before choosing a beach.

Isla Mujeres Fair · Thu 13:00 5.3/10 Puerto Morelos Fair · Thu 18:00 5.0/10 Punta Nizuc Fair · Thu 07:00 4.8/10

Forecast spot map

Use the map to see where the compared spots sit. Open a card for the hourly forecast.

Isla Mujeres Puerto Morelos Punta Nizuc
  1. Isla Mujeres
  2. Puerto Morelos
  3. Punta Nizuc

This is a location diagram, not a marine chart. Check the shore and local signs in person.

Nearby alternatives in Mexico

Isla Mujeres

15 km away

✅ Good

Punta Nizuc

16 km away

✅ Good

Puerto Morelos

35 km away

✅ Good

Playa del Carmen

64 km away

✅ Good

Advanced forecast data

Viewing current forecast

Thu 06:00 – Sun 06:00 (EST)

Previous day Yesterday

Snorkel Score (next 24h)

Best snorkel score is 0.55 around Thu 12:00; 12 of 24 hours are good, fair, or excellent.

Score trend, higher is better. Excellent ≥ 0.72, good 0.55–0.72, fair 0.35–0.55.

Conditions (24h trends)

Tap a chart to load just that series.

0/24 sampled hours stay at or below 0.36m (range 0.72m to 0.88m).

Wind is at or below 5.4m/s in 24/24 sampled hours (range 0.67 to 3.32m/s).

Tides range from -0.23m to -0.08m; 0 of 24 hours are in or near peak slack windows.

72-hour forecast overview
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Scoring methodology (for technical users)

We score each hour from 0 to 1 using daylight and these weighted components:

  • Wave height (35%): best below 0.36m, then decreases as it rises.
  • Wind speed (25%): best below 5.4m/s, lower is better.
  • Sea surface temperature (15%): best within 20.6°C to 30.4°C.
  • Tide and currents (15%): best around slack/high-tide windows.
  • Daylight (10%): visibility is better in daylight, so night hours score lower.
Detailed hourly data table
Time Wave (m) Wind (m/s) Sea temp (°C) Status
Thu 07:00 0.88 · high 1.90 · good 28.70 · good Fair
Thu 08:00 0.88 · high 2.53 · good 28.80 · good Fair
Thu 09:00 0.88 · high 3.32 · good 28.80 · good Fair
Thu 10:00 0.88 · high 2.81 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Thu 11:00 0.86 · high 2.89 · good 29.00 · good Fair
Thu 12:00 0.86 · high 0.85 · good 29.10 · good Fair
Thu 13:00 0.84 · high 2.23 · good 29.20 · good Fair
Thu 14:00 0.84 · high 3.05 · good 29.20 · good Fair
Thu 15:00 0.82 · high 3.11 · good 29.30 · good Fair
Thu 16:00 0.82 · high 2.75 · good 29.30 · good Fair
Thu 17:00 0.80 · high 2.41 · good 29.40 · good Fair
Thu 18:00 0.80 · high 1.74 · good 29.40 · good Fair
Thu 19:00 0.78 · high 1.23 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Thu 20:00 0.78 · high 1.66 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Thu 21:00 0.78 · high 1.66 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Thu 22:00 0.78 · high 2.10 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Thu 23:00 0.78 · high 2.39 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Fri 00:00 0.78 · high 1.97 · good 29.20 · good Poor
Fri 01:00 0.78 · high 1.66 · good 29.20 · good Poor
Fri 02:00 0.76 · high 1.35 · good 29.10 · good Poor
Fri 03:00 0.76 · high 1.73 · good 29.10 · good Poor
Fri 04:00 0.74 · high 1.17 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Fri 05:00 0.74 · high 0.92 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Fri 06:00 0.72 · high 0.67 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Fri 07:00 0.72 · high 0.25 · good 29.00 · good Good
Fri 08:00 0.72 · high 0.28 · good 29.10 · good Good
Fri 09:00 0.70 · high 1.35 · good 29.20 · good Fair
Fri 10:00 0.70 · high 2.02 · good 29.40 · good Fair
Fri 11:00 0.70 · high 2.61 · good 29.50 · good Fair
Fri 12:00 0.68 · high 3.13 · good 29.70 · good Fair
Fri 13:00 0.68 · high 3.11 · good 29.80 · good Fair
Fri 14:00 0.68 · high 3.06 · good 29.80 · good Fair
Fri 15:00 0.66 · high 2.81 · good 29.90 · good Fair
Fri 16:00 0.66 · high 2.64 · good 29.90 · good Fair
Fri 17:00 0.66 · high 2.27 · good 29.90 · good Fair
Fri 18:00 0.66 · high 2.23 · good 29.90 · good Fair
Fri 19:00 0.66 · high 1.51 · good 29.80 · good Poor
Fri 20:00 0.66 · high 1.02 · good 29.80 · good Poor
Fri 21:00 0.64 · high 1.13 · good 29.70 · good Poor
Fri 22:00 0.64 · high 1.07 · good 29.60 · good Poor
Fri 23:00 0.64 · high 0.68 · good 29.50 · good Poor
Sat 00:00 0.64 · high 0.99 · good 29.50 · good Poor
Sat 01:00 0.64 · high 0.98 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Sat 02:00 0.64 · high 0.86 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Sat 03:00 0.62 · high 0.45 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Sat 04:00 0.62 · high 0.14 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Sat 05:00 0.62 · high 0.60 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Sat 06:00 0.62 · high 0.96 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Sat 07:00 0.62 · high 0.53 · good 29.40 · good Good
Sat 08:00 0.60 · high 1.05 · good 29.40 · good Good
Sat 09:00 0.60 · high 1.07 · good 29.60 · good Fair
Sat 10:00 0.58 · high 0.65 · good 29.70 · good Good
Sat 11:00 0.58 · high 0.43 · good 29.80 · good Good
Sat 12:00 0.58 · high 1.91 · good 29.90 · good Fair
Sat 13:00 0.58 · high 3.27 · good 30.00 · good Fair
Sat 14:00 0.58 · high 1.35 · good 30.00 · good Fair
Sat 15:00 0.58 · high 1.32 · good 30.00 · good Fair
Sat 16:00 0.58 · high 0.36 · good 29.90 · good Fair
Sat 17:00 0.58 · high 0.46 · good 29.90 · good Fair
Sat 18:00 0.58 · high 0.76 · good 29.80 · good Fair
Sat 19:00 0.58 · high 0.72 · good 29.80 · good Poor
Sat 20:00 0.58 · high 1.66 · good 29.70 · good Poor
Sat 21:00 0.58 · high 1.11 · good 29.70 · good Poor
Sat 22:00 0.58 · high 1.11 · good 29.70 · good Poor
Sat 23:00 0.58 · high 0.87 · good 29.70 · good Poor
Sun 00:00 0.56 · high 2.50 · good 29.60 · good Poor
Sun 01:00 0.56 · high 1.68 · good 29.60 · good Poor
Sun 02:00 0.56 · high 0.74 · good 29.60 · good Poor
Sun 03:00 0.56 · high 1.00 · good 29.60 · good Poor
Sun 04:00 0.56 · high 0.81 · good 29.50 · good Poor
Sun 05:00 0.56 · high 0.22 · good 29.50 · good Poor