MARINE REPORT / 72 HOURS

Playa del Carmen Snorkel Report Today

Mexico · Updated Sun 08:20 (EST) · Source: Snapshot

The skinny

Go in the best window Data updated Sun 08:20 (EST)

Playa del Carmen has a usable snorkeling window around Sun 09:00. The main thing to watch is tide/current.

Right now (forecast)

Good · 6.6/10

Sun 08:00 (EST)

Later today

Excellent · 7.4/10

Sun 11:00 (EST)

Next three days

Excellent · 7.4/10

Tue 09:00 (EST)

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

Score: 7.4/10

Best time: Sun 09:00

Main risk: Tide/Current

Best morning signal: Sun 11:00 (Excellent).

Best afternoon signal: Sun 12:00 (Good). Peak afternoon wind is about 3.7 m/s.

Later today looks usable around Sun 09:00. Check boat availability.

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

Best nearby spots later today

Akumal 7.7/10 Excellent · Sun 11:00

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

AccessPlaya del Carmen is the ferry gateway to Cozumel and a base for Akumal. Open those forecasts; shore snorkeling in town is more limited.

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

18:13

Water

29.4°C

Max air

30.2°C

Sky

Clear

8% cloud

Good model window in the next 72 hours

Next good model window: Sun 09:00–18:00 (49% of the next 72h meets the model threshold)

3-day planner Best available Show data

3-day planner

Sunday

✅ Excellent conditions

Main blocker: Tide/current

Monday

✅ Excellent conditions

Main blocker: Tide/current

Tuesday

✅ Excellent conditions

Main blocker: Tide/current

Best available hours

The next good model window starts at Sun 09:00 and lasts until 18:00.

Why this verdict

Main blockers across the next 72 hours:

  • Tide/current (70 hours)
  • Darkness (36 hours)

Jellyfish drift risk

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

Low · 34/100

Low drift risk now.

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: Mon 04:00

Sun 16:00, Mon 04:00, Tue 17:00

Bookable snorkel tours near Playa del Carmen

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

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

Turtle observation

Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya

4.8/5 2725 reviews 5h
From USD 99.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Group swimming in a cenote while admiring the spectacular views of the rock formations and pristine waters in the Riviera Maya.

Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling and Beachside Lunch

4.9/5 1985 reviews 6h 30m
From USD 119.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Group of friends snorkeling with turtles in the crystal-clear reef waters of the Riviera Maya in the Mexican Caribbean.

Hidden Cenote Swim: Snorkeling, Sea Turtles and Beachside Lunch

4.8/5 1416 reviews 4h 30m
From USD 119.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Tulum, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote & Mayan Ceremony

Tulum, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote & Mayan Ceremony

4.8/5 4341 reviews 8h
From USD 129.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Girl resting on a paddleboard in the incredible crystal-clear waters of the Riviera Maya in the Mexican Caribbean.

Riviera Maya Luxury Snorkeling Cruise with Lunch and Drinks

4.6/5 669 reviews 4h
From USD 89.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Cancun: Small-Group Akumal Turtle Snorkel & Cave Cenote Adventure

Cancun: Small-Group Akumal Turtle Snorkel & Cave Cenote Adventure

4.8/5 234 reviews 5h
From USD 85.00 Check availability

Free cancellation available

Nearby snorkel spot map

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

Akumal Excellent · Sun 11:00 7.7/10

Forecast spot map

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

Akumal
  1. Akumal

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

Nearby alternatives in Mexico

Chankanaab

23 km away

✅ Good

Cozumel

28 km away

✅ Good

Palancar Reef

31 km away

✅ Good

Puerto Morelos

32 km away

✅ Good

Advanced forecast data

Viewing current forecast

Sun 08:00 – Wed 08:00 (EST)

Previous day Yesterday

Snorkel Score (next 24h)

Best snorkel score is 0.74 around Sun 11:00; 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.

24/24 sampled hours stay at or below 0.36m (range 0.22m to 0.26m).

Wind is at or below 5.4m/s in 24/24 sampled hours (range 1.24 to 3.7m/s).

Tides range from 0.01m to 0.24m; 2 of 24 hours are in or near peak slack windows.

72-hour forecast overview
Excellent ✅ Excellent
Excellent ✅ Excellent
Excellent ✅ Excellent
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
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Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
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Good 🌟 Good
Excellent ✅ Excellent
Excellent ✅ Excellent
Good 🌟 Good
Excellent ✅ Excellent
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
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Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Poor ❌ Limited
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Excellent ✅ Excellent
Good 🌟 Good
Excellent ✅ Excellent
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Good 🌟 Good
Excellent ✅ Excellent
Poor ❌ Limited
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Poor ❌ Limited
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
Sun 09:00 0.22 · good 1.45 · good 29.40 · good Excellent
Sun 10:00 0.22 · good 1.24 · good 29.40 · good Excellent
Sun 11:00 0.22 · good 1.62 · good 29.50 · good Excellent
Sun 12:00 0.22 · good 2.30 · good 29.50 · good Good
Sun 13:00 0.22 · good 2.62 · good 29.60 · good Good
Sun 14:00 0.22 · good 2.85 · good 29.60 · good Good
Sun 15:00 0.22 · good 3.70 · good 29.60 · good Good
Sun 16:00 0.22 · good 3.07 · good 29.60 · good Good
Sun 17:00 0.24 · good 1.66 · good 29.50 · good Good
Sun 18:00 0.24 · good 1.63 · good 29.50 · good Good
Sun 19:00 0.26 · good 2.04 · good 29.50 · good Poor
Sun 20:00 0.26 · good 1.61 · good 29.50 · good Poor
Sun 21:00 0.26 · good 1.65 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Sun 22:00 0.26 · good 1.53 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Sun 23:00 0.26 · good 1.53 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Mon 00:00 0.26 · good 1.77 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Mon 01:00 0.26 · good 1.96 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Mon 02:00 0.26 · good 2.17 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Mon 03:00 0.26 · good 2.11 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Mon 04:00 0.26 · good 1.86 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Mon 05:00 0.26 · good 1.37 · good 29.20 · good Poor
Mon 06:00 0.24 · good 1.46 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Mon 07:00 0.24 · good 2.03 · good 29.30 · good Good
Mon 08:00 0.24 · good 2.06 · good 29.30 · good Excellent
Mon 09:00 0.24 · good 1.92 · good 29.40 · good Excellent
Mon 10:00 0.24 · good 1.64 · good 29.50 · good Good
Mon 11:00 0.24 · good 1.32 · good 29.60 · good Excellent
Mon 12:00 0.24 · good 1.25 · good 29.70 · good Good
Mon 13:00 0.24 · good 1.82 · good 29.80 · good Good
Mon 14:00 0.24 · good 3.25 · good 29.80 · good Good
Mon 15:00 0.24 · good 2.36 · good 29.70 · good Good
Mon 16:00 0.24 · good 2.81 · good 29.70 · good Good
Mon 17:00 0.24 · good 2.53 · good 29.60 · good Good
Mon 18:00 0.24 · good 2.38 · good 29.60 · good Good
Mon 19:00 0.24 · good 1.72 · good 29.50 · good Poor
Mon 20:00 0.24 · good 1.36 · good 29.50 · good Poor
Mon 21:00 0.24 · good 1.32 · good 29.50 · good Poor
Mon 22:00 0.24 · good 1.30 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Mon 23:00 0.24 · good 0.95 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Tue 00:00 0.24 · good 0.60 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Tue 01:00 0.24 · good 0.73 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Tue 02:00 0.24 · good 1.00 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Tue 03:00 0.22 · good 1.46 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Tue 04:00 0.22 · good 1.35 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Tue 05:00 0.22 · good 1.50 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Tue 06:00 0.22 · good 1.63 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Tue 07:00 0.22 · good 1.48 · good 29.30 · good Good
Tue 08:00 0.22 · good 1.19 · good 29.40 · good Good
Tue 09:00 0.22 · good 0.91 · good 29.50 · good Excellent
Tue 10:00 0.22 · good 1.34 · good 29.60 · good Good
Tue 11:00 0.22 · good 1.40 · good 29.70 · good Excellent
Tue 12:00 0.22 · good 1.98 · good 29.80 · good Good
Tue 13:00 0.22 · good 2.37 · good 29.80 · good Good
Tue 14:00 0.22 · good 2.07 · good 29.80 · good Good
Tue 15:00 0.22 · good 2.10 · good 29.80 · good Good
Tue 16:00 0.22 · good 2.65 · good 29.80 · good Good
Tue 17:00 0.22 · good 2.15 · good 29.80 · good Good
Tue 18:00 0.22 · good 0.97 · good 29.80 · good Excellent
Tue 19:00 0.22 · good 0.55 · good 29.70 · good Poor
Tue 20:00 0.22 · good 0.97 · good 29.70 · good Poor
Tue 21:00 0.22 · good 1.04 · good 29.60 · good Poor
Tue 22:00 0.22 · good 1.05 · good 29.50 · good Poor
Tue 23:00 0.22 · good 1.99 · good 29.50 · good Poor
Wed 00:00 0.22 · good 1.93 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Wed 01:00 0.22 · good 0.85 · good 29.40 · good Poor
Wed 02:00 0.22 · good 0.75 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Wed 03:00 0.20 · good 0.90 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Wed 04:00 0.20 · good 1.03 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Wed 05:00 0.20 · good 1.18 · good 29.30 · good Poor
Wed 06:00 0.20 · good 1.74 · good 29.30 · good Poor