Snorkeling Tours in Cozumel: The 15 We Would Rebook

1.ATV 4×4+Snorkeling+Beach Club+ Lunch+Sabores de Cozumel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,468 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $89Our pick

You’ll combine a muddy ATV ride, a guided shore snorkel, Mexican lunch, chocolate and tortilla tastings, and eight artisanal tequilas in about three to four hours. Guides such as Tony, Julio, Carlos, Edwin, and JJ are known for keeping the day friendly and well paced. Sea conditions can cancel snorkeling, so bring a flexible attitude.

“It was The Greatest experience I have ever had I highly recommend this to everyone Thanks Viator and the tour leader”

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2.Cozumel Snorkeling Tour: Palancar, Columbia and El Cielo Reefs

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,462 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Join an English-speaking guide for a four-hour Cozumel boat trip to Palancar Reef, Columbia Reef, El Cielo Sandbar, and El Cielito Beach. Your $11 marine fee is extra. The tour includes a shaded boat, vest, mask, new tube, drinks, beer, and a snack, with no more than 16 people aboard.

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3.3 Reefs Boat Tour with Drinks and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,080 reviews · 4 hours · from $57

Spend four hours snorkeling three Cozumel sites with a guide, including Palancar, Columbia, and Playa el Cielo. Expect clear water, reef fish, starfish, stingrays, and possible turtles or nurse sharks. The boat provides shade, gear, snacks, beer, water, and sodas. Meet at Marina Asipona, about six minutes by taxi from the main cruise ports.

“The whole experience was fantastic from start to finish. Efficient and friendly service. Saw everything we wanted too. Star fish. Reefs. Coral. Fish. Stingrays. The tequila. Margs. Beer and water were a lovely addition too”

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4.The Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,041 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $65

Cruise Cozumel’s coast with guides such as Alex, Roberto, Roy, or Emilio, stopping at reefs, a turtle habitat, El Cielo’s starfish sandbar, and Cielito. Snorkel gear, fresh ceviche, fruit, soft drinks, and limited alcoholic drinks are included. Allow four hours, arrive early, and bring a towel and dry clothes.

“What an awesome experience. It was everything I hoped it would be. The guides Roy and Emilio were fun, informed and safe. We could not have asked for a better day.”

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5.Private Jeep Excursion in Cozumel with Lunch and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 718 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $74

Spend five to six hours touring Cozumel in a private Jeep with a local guide, stopping at Punta Sur, San Gervasio, El Mirador, El Cedral, and a snorkeling site. Lunch, water, transport, and snorkel gear are included. Entrance fees, drinks, and a $5 government fee cost extra. Ask for the stops you want.

“We really enjoyed our day in Cozumel with Julio. He was extremely knowledgeable about the island and history. We did a loop of the island and liked our stop at Playa Chen Rio the most. We wished we had spent more time there! Overall, it was a great visit.”

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6.Cozumel Coral Reef Snorkeling by Glass Bottom Boat with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 543 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $35Best value

Cruise Cozumel’s coast on a small glass-bottom boat, then snorkel Villa Blanca Wall and shallow and deep Paraiso Reef with a bilingual guide. Miguel, Santiago, Carlos, and other crew members have earned praise for patient safety help, especially with children and first-time snorkelers. Three stops, gear, water, soft drinks, and a post-swim beer are included.

“This was easy to book. I had several emails with details and instructions. I was met with a friendly guide immediately telling us what to do and where to be. The family owned business was well-run, kind, efficient, and we enjoyed the snorkeling. We had ages 10 years old to 76 years old. Everyone enjoyed the excursion. A few people stayed on the boat and were entertained and saw through the glass bottom. The boat was older but did its job well. 10-57 year olds snorkeled with ease, some for the first time. Excellent.”

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7.El Cielo, Palancar Snorkel & Beach Party Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 535 reviews · from $89

Board Fury Catamarans’ 65-foot boat in downtown Cozumel for a five-hour outing to Palancar or another nearby reef, El Cielo, and a private beach. A snorkel guide leads the water stops, then you get an Angus cheeseburger, floats, slides, volleyball, kayaks, margaritas, beer, and music on the ride home. Guides such as Angel and Angelito have helped keep the trip lively and safe.

“Our Captain, Angel, on Fury catamaran #4 was excellent! He was attentive to everyone's needs. When a rainstorm popped up at Cielo Beach, we left early to sail back north and spend more time at the private beach. Everyone appreciated this. Snorkeling above the reefs was awesome! The current allowed us to just float and observe all of the incredible fish and coral.”

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8.Jade Caverns Private Jeep Tour with Lunch and Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 525 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Drive across Cozumel with a private guide, visit El Cedral and the Jade Caverns, stop at El Mirador and Chen Rio, enjoy tastings, then have Mexican lunch at Coco’s Beach Club. Snorkeling gear and beach access are included, but the cave is not a dedicated snorkel site and beach time can feel short.

“Our guide, Brandon, was very friendly and flexible, he even started the tour early for us. We learned a lot about Cozumel and its various wildlife and plants. He got us to Jade Cavern early, so there was no one there but us which was excellent for taking pictures of all the bats. The snorkeling location was beautiful with nice changing rooms. We did have some jellyfish in the water, but he was pointing them out so that we could stay clear. All gear was provided except for towels. Note that if you aren't going to use fins, you should probably use water shoes as the rocks are slippery. Tequila/tortilla/choc…”

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9.El Cielo Snorkel by Private Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 341 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Spend about four hours on a private boat off Cozumel with stops at Chankanaab and Paradise reefs, guided snorkeling, fish ceviche, fruit, beer, margaritas, and time at a quiet beach. Crews may include Carlos, Miguel, Omar, or Manny. Bring a towel, long-sleeved shirt, and hat, since sunscreen is not allowed near the reefs.

“Awesome time on the water with lunch and drinks included. This is a must do when visiting Cozumel. Carlos and Manny are the best. We will definitely be back.”

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10.Catamaran Snorkel Adventure to El Cielo and The Money Bar Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 330 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $79

Spend about four hours aboard a shared catamaran from The Money Bar, snorkeling at Colombia and Palancar reefs before relaxing at El Cielo and El Cielito. The crew supplies equipment, drinks, fruit, chips, and fish ceviche. Guides such as Jonathan and Carlos have earned praise for patient instruction and underwater photos, but reef stops can change with sea conditions.

“This trip was fantastic! The crew handled everything wonderfully. The spots on the reef they brought us was breath taking. And Carlos was amazing with his gopro. The food and drink stop was a great break after all the swimming. The ceviche they made was some of the best ive had! (Watch the green salsa. So flaverful but hell of a kick!) And the drinks will flow! The few extra dollars spent on the pictures and videos he took are so worth it. Things to keep in mind: you can not use sunscreen! They state this before you even sign up. Put on some before you even show up nut…”

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11.Official Chankanaab Park Day pass and Snorkel with Lunch included

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 324 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Spend a flexible day at Chankanaab Park with park admission, reef snorkeling, gear, a locker, lunch, and two drinks. You can visit Mayan replicas, watch the sea lion show, taste tequila, and relax by the water. Guides such as Philippe and Daniel have earned praise for helping first-time snorkelers.

“We had bad weather, so we weren't able to get in the water, except when we swam with the dolphins and manatees. Viator can't control that; we were disappointed but that's out of the hands of everyone. And they did a good job of informing us ahead of time that some aspects of our package would be limited (such as any beach or snorkeling activities) That being said, when we booked with Viator, and arrived at the park, the park seems confused about what package we had purchased, how to scan our phones to gain access, and what food and drinks were part of our package. We were told we…”

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12.El Cielo & Palancar Snorkel with Open Bar & Ceviche

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 323 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $72

Join Adrian, Lorenzo, and a small crew for a 4.5-hour Cozumel boat trip to Palancar Reef, El Cielo, and El Cielito. You will snorkel among coral, turtles, rays, and starfish, then relax with ceviche, fruit, tostadas, music, and drinks. Boats may range from a speedboat to a 45-foot yacht.

“very easy to find the group, nice atmosphere on the boat with loads of music and smiles, good experience in the sea snorkeling and yes we saw a turtel”

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13.Invisible Boat Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 297 reviews · 1 hour 35 minutes (approx.) · from $39

See Cozumel beneath you from a crystal-clear boat, then use the included mask, fins, vest, and snorkel at a reef stop. Guides such as Saidy, Jessica, Emanuel, Jose, and Abel have led tours, though timing and pickup details can vary. Plan on about 1 hour 35 minutes and a $10 marine fee.

“My boys loved snorkeling, we loved the boat and being able to see through to the bottom. The water was clear and we saw lots of sea life. Our guides and captain were great! Thanks to Jose and Cesar! and I think Isabel was the new guide.”

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14.El Cielo Cozumel Snorkeling trip by Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 276 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $95

Spend about four hours aboard a Cozumel catamaran, snorkeling Palancar and Columbia reefs before stopping at El Cielo and El Cielito for starfish and rays. Guides such as David and Elias have led warm, lively outings, with drinks, ceviche or snacks, and a beach break included. Bring reef-safe planning, sun protection, and realistic expectations about the beach stop.

“We were very excited to go on this highly rated excursion yesterday (3/29/24), but the tour operators at May Be Tours were unable to take us out due to the marina being closed due to high winds. It was otherwise a sunny beautiful day in Cozumel, so this caught all of us by surprise. Our cruise ship (and all other cruise ships) were able to dock in Cozumel. It was just that the smaller marina that this tour operates out of was closed due to the wind. This cancellation was due to the weather and out of the control of the tour operators, so I’m not holding the cancellation itself…”

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15.Cozumel Jeep Adventure to Jade Caverns with Lunch and Snorkel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 274 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $97

Spend about five hours touring Cozumel in a private Jeep with a local guide such as Ricardo, Fernando, Sergio, or Yamelie. Visit a tequila ranch, El Cedral, Jade Cenote, and an east-coast beach, then finish with fajitas and snorkeling. The route is flexible, but the cenote road is very rough and meeting-point details need careful checking.

“We had a great time with Señor Pastor. He was hilarious, knowledgeable and very accommodating. We had a wonderful time exploring the island and seeing some great sights. The tequila tasting was a highlight and changed my entire drinking world. My only note is that the lunch ended up not being included despite the experience saying it would be. However, I felt we got absolutely plenty of value from the tour (including all sorts of free drinks along the way and having our own private guide), so this wasn’t a problem for us. Just wanted to point it out for anyone else booking in case that’s an important consideration.”

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