Snorkeling Costa Maya Reef: sea turtles and tropical fish

Capture your underwater adventure with GoPro photos and beach club access

Snorkel the Mesoamerican Reef at Costa Maya with a marine guide who stays with you throughout, mask, fins and life jacket included. The 90-minute water time covers a section of reef where tropical fish and sea turtles appear regularly. Afterward, access the beach club with lounge chairs, showers, and one kayak per family; a GoPro camera captures photos both in and out of the water. Children from age 4 are welcome; the guide speaks English.

The Experience

How do you get to the reef without renting a car or booking a separate boat? The snorkel starts at Costa Maya's beach club, where the guide meets you and walks through the gear—mask, fins, life jacket—before you head out on an eco-designed boat. The boat minimizes environmental impact, and the equipment is maintained in good condition. Once in the water, the guide stays at your side the whole time, pointing out the reef structure, the tropical fish moving through it, and the sea turtles that appear with high regularity in this section of the Mesoamerican Reef.

The 90 minutes in the water is the core of the day, but the beach club access before and after changes what the experience becomes. You get sun loungers, showers, and tables where you can sit with a cold drink—soda or bottled water is included—and let the sun dry you out. One kayak per family sits ready if you want to paddle the shallows after snorkeling, or you can stay on the lounger and watch the water. The GoPro photos taken during the snorkel, both underwater and on the surface, arrive with you so you have proof of what you saw.

What’s included

• Mask, fins, and life jacket.
• a marine guide in English who stays with you the entire snorkel.
• soda or bottled water.
• GoPro photos taken during the activity.
• beach club access with sun loungers, showers, and tables.
• one kayak per family.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Costa maya tours

Is this one for you?If you're staying in the Riviera Maya without a car, the snorkel starts at the beach club itself, so you skip the hunt for a boat launch or a separate transfer—the guide meets you there and the whole day stays in one place.

Top questions

What's the water like at the Mesoamerican Reef section where we snorkel?

The snorkel site is a section of the Mesoamerican Reef where tropical fish, reef structure, and sea turtles appear regularly. The guide navigates you through the reef and stays with you the entire time to point out marine life and assist if needed.

Do I need snorkeling experience to join, or is this for beginners too?

The activity suits all physical fitness levels. You get a marine guide who stays with you throughout, and the equipment—mask, fins, and life jacket—is provided. Children from age 4 are welcome, so the setup is built for mixed experience.

What happens after the snorkeling part ends?

After the 90 minutes in the water, you return to the beach club where lounge chairs, showers, and tables are available. One kayak per family is included if you want to paddle, and soda or bottled water is provided so you can rest and dry off.

Are photos included, and how do I get them?

Yes—a guide takes photos with a GoPro camera both in and out of the water during the snorkel. The photos come with you so you have a record of the reef and the marine life you saw.

Is this beach club accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes. All areas and surfaces at the beach club are wheelchair accessible, and infants or small children can be brought in a pram or stroller. Service animals are allowed.