MARINE REPORT / 72 HOURS

Cancun Snorkel Report Today

Mexico · Updated Mon 05:18 (EST) · Source: Snapshot

The skinny

Go in the best window Data updated Mon 05:18 (EST)

Cancun has a usable snorkeling window around Mon 08:00. The main thing to watch is waves.

Right now (forecast)

Poor · 0.0/10

Mon 05:00 (EST)

Later today

Good · 6.9/10

Mon 17:00 (EST)

Next three days

Good · 6.9/10

Mon 17:00 (EST)

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

Score: 6.9/10

Best time: Mon 08:00

Main risk: Waves

Best morning signal: Mon 09:00 (Good).

Best afternoon signal: Mon 17:00 (Good). Peak afternoon wind is about 2.7 m/s.

Later today looks usable around Mon 08:00. Check boat availability.

Email me when it is good Compare nearby spots Check boat availability

Best nearby spots later today

Isla Mujeres 6.6/10 Good · Mon 17:00 Punta Nizuc 6.6/10 Good · Mon 09:00 Puerto Morelos 6.5/10 Good · Mon 09:00

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

06:50

Sunset

18:11

Water

29.0°C

Max air

30.5°C

Sky

Clear

5% cloud

Good model window in the next 72 hours

Next good model window: Mon 08:00–12:00 (45% of the next 72h meets the model threshold)

3-day planner Best available Show data

3-day planner

Monday

✅ Good conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Tuesday

✅ Good conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Wednesday

✅ Good conditions

Main blocker: Waves

Best available hours

The next good model window starts at Mon 08:00 and lasts until 12:00.

Why this verdict

Main blockers across the next 72 hours:

  • Waves (71 hours)
  • Tide/current (60 hours)
  • Darkness (35 hours)

Jellyfish drift risk

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

Low · 31/100

Low peak drift risk around Tue 04:00.

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

Next early morning high tide: Tue 05:00

Tue 05:00, Tue 17:00, Wed 06:00

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 2924 reviews 4h
From USD 29.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Cancun's Best: Catamaran to Isla Mujeres, Snorkeling & Drinks!

Cancun's Best: Catamaran to Isla Mujeres, Snorkeling & Drinks!

4.4/5 55 reviews 7h 30m
From USD 34.90 Check availability

Free cancellation available

A wonderful tour through the canals of the Nichupte Lagoon!

3 in 1 Jungle Speedboat and Snorkeling in Cancun

4.9/5 214 reviews 2h 30m
From USD 69.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Cancun Jetski and Snorkel Adventure

Cancun Jetski and Snorkel Adventure

4.3/5 132 reviews 2h
From USD 75.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Small-Group Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos

Small-Group Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Snorkeling in Puerto Morelos

4.9/5 530 reviews 2h
From USD 45.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Cancun speedboat and snorkel tour: shared speedboat

Cancun speedboat and snorkel tour: shared speedboat

4.7/5 1530 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 Good · Mon 17:00 6.6/10 Punta Nizuc Good · Mon 09:00 6.6/10 Puerto Morelos Good · Mon 09:00 6.5/10

Forecast spot map

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

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

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 historical data

Thu 05:00 – Sun 05:00 (EST)

Previous day Yesterday Next day Live

Snorkel Score (selected 24h)

Best snorkel score is 0.54 around Thu 09:00; 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 0.58m to 0.9m).

Wind is at or below 5.4m/s in 24/24 sampled hours (range 1.42 to 3.45m/s).

Tides range from -0.01m to 0.16m; 0 of 24 hours are in or near peak slack windows.

72-hour historical overview
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
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
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Poor ❌ Limited
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Good 🌟 Good
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Poor ❌ Limited
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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 05:00 0.90 · high 2.51 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Thu 06:00 0.84 · high 2.53 · good 28.80 · good Poor
Thu 07:00 0.84 · high 2.64 · good 28.80 · good Fair
Thu 08:00 0.84 · high 2.44 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Thu 09:00 0.86 · high 2.14 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Thu 10:00 0.86 · high 2.69 · good 29.00 · good Fair
Thu 11:00 0.86 · high 3.04 · good 29.00 · good Fair
Thu 12:00 0.86 · high 2.18 · good 29.10 · good Fair
Thu 13:00 0.86 · high 2.60 · good 29.10 · good Fair
Thu 14:00 0.86 · high 2.79 · good 29.10 · good Fair
Thu 15:00 0.84 · high 3.12 · good 29.10 · good Fair
Thu 16:00 0.84 · high 3.45 · good 29.10 · good Fair
Thu 17:00 0.82 · high 2.87 · good 29.10 · good Fair
Thu 18:00 0.72 · high 2.34 · good 29.00 · good Fair
Thu 19:00 0.72 · high 2.31 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Thu 20:00 0.72 · high 2.01 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Thu 21:00 0.74 · high 1.92 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Thu 22:00 0.74 · high 1.73 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Thu 23:00 0.76 · high 1.42 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Fri 00:00 0.76 · high 1.46 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Fri 01:00 0.78 · high 2.30 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Fri 02:00 0.80 · high 2.48 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Fri 03:00 0.80 · high 2.12 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Fri 04:00 0.58 · high 1.58 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Fri 05:00 0.58 · high 1.72 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Fri 06:00 0.58 · high 1.32 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Fri 07:00 0.58 · high 1.35 · good 28.90 · good Good
Fri 08:00 0.58 · high 1.35 · good 28.90 · good Good
Fri 09:00 0.56 · high 0.92 · good 29.00 · good Good
Fri 10:00 0.56 · high 0.93 · good 29.00 · good Good
Fri 11:00 0.56 · high 2.56 · good 29.10 · good Good
Fri 12:00 0.54 · high 2.92 · good 29.10 · good Good
Fri 13:00 0.54 · high 3.31 · good 29.10 · good Good
Fri 14:00 0.54 · high 3.25 · good 29.10 · good Good
Fri 15:00 0.54 · high 2.95 · good 29.10 · good Good
Fri 16:00 0.50 · high 2.67 · good 29.10 · good Good
Fri 17:00 0.50 · high 2.46 · good 29.10 · good Good
Fri 18:00 0.48 · high 1.60 · good 29.10 · good Good
Fri 19:00 0.48 · high 2.04 · good 29.10 · good Poor
Fri 20:00 0.48 · high 2.13 · good 29.10 · good Poor
Fri 21:00 0.48 · high 2.11 · good 29.10 · good Poor
Fri 22:00 0.48 · high 2.05 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Fri 23:00 0.48 · high 2.42 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Sat 00:00 0.48 · high 2.40 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Sat 01:00 0.48 · high 2.39 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Sat 02:00 0.48 · high 1.76 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Sat 03:00 0.48 · high 1.38 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Sat 04:00 0.48 · high 1.38 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Sat 05:00 0.56 · high 1.53 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Sat 06:00 0.56 · high 1.41 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Sat 07:00 0.56 · high 1.17 · good 28.90 · good Good
Sat 08:00 0.56 · high 1.56 · good 29.00 · good Good
Sat 09:00 0.56 · high 2.06 · good 29.00 · good Good
Sat 10:00 0.56 · high 2.26 · good 29.10 · good Good
Sat 11:00 0.56 · high 3.22 · good 29.10 · good Good
Sat 12:00 0.58 · high 3.38 · good 29.20 · good Good
Sat 13:00 0.58 · high 3.36 · good 29.20 · good Good
Sat 14:00 0.58 · high 3.14 · good 29.20 · good Good
Sat 15:00 0.56 · high 2.86 · good 29.20 · good Good
Sat 16:00 0.56 · high 2.67 · good 29.20 · good Good
Sat 17:00 0.54 · high 2.38 · good 29.20 · good Good
Sat 18:00 0.46 · high 1.69 · good 29.10 · good Good
Sat 19:00 0.46 · high 1.66 · good 29.10 · good Poor
Sat 20:00 0.46 · high 1.65 · good 29.10 · good Poor
Sat 21:00 0.44 · high 1.25 · good 29.10 · good Poor
Sat 22:00 0.44 · high 0.99 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Sat 23:00 0.44 · high 1.03 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Sun 00:00 0.42 · high 1.28 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Sun 01:00 0.42 · high 0.40 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Sun 02:00 0.42 · high 0.47 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Sun 03:00 0.42 · high 1.22 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Sun 04:00 0.42 · high 1.95 · good 28.90 · good Poor