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 11:00. The main thing to watch is waves.

Right now (forecast)

Good · 6.4/10

Mon 10:00 (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 11:00

Main risk: Waves

Best morning signal: Mon 11:00 (Good).

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

Later today looks usable around Mon 11:00. Check boat availability.

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

Best nearby spots later today

Punta Nizuc 6.6/10 Good · Mon 12:00 Puerto Morelos 6.4/10 Good · Mon 18:00

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

29.2°C

Max air

30.5°C

Sky

Clear

27% cloud

Good model window in the next 72 hours

Next good model window: Mon 11:00–12:00 (44% 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 11:00 and lasts until 12:00.

Why this verdict

Main blockers across the next 72 hours:

  • Waves (66 hours)
  • Tide/current (59 hours)
  • Darkness (34 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.

Punta Nizuc Good · Mon 12:00 6.6/10 Puerto Morelos Good · Mon 18:00 6.4/10 Isla Mujeres Unknown No recent score

Forecast spot map

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

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

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

Sat 10:00 – Tue 10:00 (EST)

Previous day Yesterday Next day Live

Snorkel Score (selected 24h)

Best snorkel score is 0.56 around Sun 08:00; 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 1.04m to 1.16m).

Wind is at or below 5.4m/s in 24/24 sampled hours (range 3.05 to 4.85m/s).

Tides range from 0.05m to 0.3m; 2 of 24 hours are in or near peak slack windows.

72-hour historical overview
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
Fair ⚠️ Fair
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
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Poor ❌ Limited
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
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
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
Fair ⚠️ Fair
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
Sat 10:00 1.12 · high 4.68 · good 29.30 · good Fair
Sat 11:00 1.10 · high 4.72 · good 29.30 · good Fair
Sat 12:00 1.10 · high 4.85 · good 29.30 · good Fair
Sat 13:00 1.08 · high 4.74 · good 29.30 · good Fair
Sat 14:00 1.06 · high 4.67 · good 29.30 · good Fair
Sat 15:00 1.06 · high 4.52 · good 29.30 · good Fair
Sat 16:00 1.04 · high 4.83 · good 29.30 · good Fair
Sat 17:00 1.06 · high 4.65 · good 29.30 · good Fair
Sat 18:00 1.10 · high 4.45 · good 29.30 · good Fair
Sat 19:00 1.12 · high 3.97 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Sat 20:00 1.14 · high 3.45 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Sat 21:00 1.14 · high 4.06 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Sat 22:00 1.16 · high 3.60 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Sat 23:00 1.16 · high 3.23 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Sun 00:00 1.16 · high 3.05 · good 29.20 · good Poor
Sun 01:00 1.16 · high 3.59 · good 29.20 · good Poor
Sun 02:00 1.16 · high 3.67 · good 29.20 · good Poor
Sun 03:00 1.16 · high 3.72 · good 29.20 · good Poor
Sun 04:00 1.16 · high 3.48 · good 29.20 · good Poor
Sun 05:00 1.10 · high 4.11 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Sun 06:00 1.08 · high 3.82 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Sun 07:00 1.06 · high 3.72 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Sun 08:00 1.06 · high 3.73 · good 28.90 · good Good
Sun 09:00 1.04 · high 4.14 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Sun 10:00 1.04 · high 4.55 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Sun 11:00 1.02 · high 4.75 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Sun 12:00 1.02 · high 4.54 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Sun 13:00 1.00 · high 4.35 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Sun 14:00 0.98 · high 4.21 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Sun 15:00 0.98 · high 4.14 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Sun 16:00 0.96 · high 3.95 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Sun 17:00 1.06 · high 2.75 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Sun 18:00 1.02 · high 2.10 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Sun 19:00 1.00 · high 2.17 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Sun 20:00 0.98 · high 1.81 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Sun 21:00 0.98 · high 1.98 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Sun 22:00 0.96 · high 2.17 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Sun 23:00 0.94 · high 2.30 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Mon 00:00 0.94 · high 2.33 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Mon 01:00 0.92 · high 2.44 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Mon 02:00 0.90 · high 2.52 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Mon 03:00 0.90 · high 2.84 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Mon 04:00 0.88 · high 2.35 · good 28.80 · good Poor
Mon 05:00 0.88 · high 2.39 · good 28.80 · good Poor
Mon 06:00 0.92 · high 3.11 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Mon 07:00 0.92 · high 2.87 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Mon 08:00 0.94 · high 2.29 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Mon 09:00 0.96 · high 2.32 · good 29.00 · good Fair
Mon 10:00 0.98 · high 3.08 · good 29.00 · good Fair
Mon 11:00 1.02 · high 3.49 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Mon 12:00 1.04 · high 4.48 · good 29.00 · good Fair
Mon 13:00 1.08 · high 4.87 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Mon 14:00 1.10 · high 4.84 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Mon 15:00 1.12 · high 4.79 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Mon 16:00 1.14 · high 5.03 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Mon 17:00 1.14 · high 4.71 · good 29.00 · good Fair
Mon 18:00 1.26 · high 3.77 · good 29.00 · good Fair
Mon 19:00 1.24 · high 3.15 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Mon 20:00 1.22 · high 3.20 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Mon 21:00 1.18 · high 2.90 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Mon 22:00 1.16 · high 3.11 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Mon 23:00 1.12 · high 2.65 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Tue 00:00 1.08 · high 3.06 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Tue 01:00 1.04 · high 2.64 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Tue 02:00 1.02 · high 2.30 · good 29.00 · good Poor
Tue 03:00 1.00 · high 2.45 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Tue 04:00 1.12 · high 2.83 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Tue 05:00 1.12 · high 2.77 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Tue 06:00 1.10 · high 1.60 · good 28.90 · good Poor
Tue 07:00 1.10 · high 2.53 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Tue 08:00 1.08 · high 2.28 · good 28.90 · good Fair
Tue 09:00 1.08 · high 3.18 · good 28.90 · good Fair