SNORKELLING · CENOTE AND MANATEE SNORKELING

Cenote and Manatee Snorkelling: The 15 Best Trips

25 trips  ·  from $23 per person

Fresh water instead of salt, cold instead of warm, and visibility you can see the far wall through. The 15 below cover the Yucatan cenotes and the Florida springs, with wetsuit notes and what each one costs.

Viator Exclusive: Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote and Caves - A freshwater cenote in the jungle
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Viator Exclusive: Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote and Caves

1.Viator Exclusive: Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkeling, Cenote and Caves

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,242 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $129Our pick

Visit Tulum with guides such as Suly, Raul, Ulrich, and Mimi, then snorkel by boat for turtles, rays, and reef fish before swimming in a jungle cenote. Tacos, gear, transport, and entrance fees are included. Plan for an early start, a $35 cash conservation fee, and a long day from Cancun.

“This excursion was well worth the price and the guide was fantastic. The packed in just the right amount of activity.”

Dates and prices →Read our full review

The 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer - The boat ride through Kings Bay
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The ‘OG’ Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer

2.The ‘OG’ Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,539 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $76

River Ventures takes you through Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to search for wild manatees in Kings Bay and Three Sisters Springs. You receive a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, instruction, and an in-water guide who photographs the encounter. Groups are limited to 10, and the three-hour trip ends with hot drinks back at the shop.

“Great day with Mike and little family of manatees. Highly recommend to family and friends. All around great day”

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Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya - Akumal Beach and the search for sea turtles
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Half-Day Sea Turtle and Cenote Snorkeling Tour from Cancun & Riviera Maya

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,039 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $99

Join Ocean Tours Mexico for a morning at Akumal Beach, where guides such as Max, Marina, or Daniel may lead you toward sea turtles, rays, and tropical fish. Then walk through Parque de Cenotes Yax-Muul, swim in a cave cenote, and enjoy empanadas, transport, gear, and hotel pickup.

“Very nice activity for anyone. Our guide, Max, was very engaging and ensured everyone had an enjoyable time. Great focus on sustainability and environmental protection. Our driver, Arain, and photographer Tef also did a great job to ensure a very successful day!”

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Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling and Beachside Lunch - Tulum begins the day with Maya history and sea views
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Tulum Guided Tour, Magical Cenote, Lagoon Snorkeling and Beachside Lunch

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,888 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $169

Spend a full day combining Tulum’s Maya ruins, a guided swim through Cenote El Sueño, snorkeling at Yal Ku Lagoon, and lunch at Punta Venado Beach Club. Guides such as Lalo, Santiago, Felix, and Miguel have earned praise for clear explanations and careful water support. Expect long drives, cool water, late lunch, and no personal cameras in the cenote.

“The experience was fun. And the guide was great. We had mariyiam. However, we all paid for photos at the cenote and never got them. What a rip off. They also told us no phones?? We had to leave everything in the car. Good luck if you’re a female on her period. No bags allowed.”

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5-in-1 Cancun Snorkeling: Turtles, Reef, Musa, Shipwreck, Cenote - MUSA turns snorkeling into an art visit
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5-in-1 Cancun Snorkeling: Turtles, Reef, Musa, Shipwreck, Cenote

5.5-in-1 Cancun Snorkeling: Turtles, Reef, Musa, Shipwreck, Cenote

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,678 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $79

Join guides such as Daisy, Chuy, Mauricio, or Kiko for a beginner-friendly Cancun snorkel outing covering reef fish, sea turtles, rays, two MUSA galleries, a shipwreck, and a cenote. The water is generally shallow, equipment and transport are included, and the crew helps nervous swimmers. Expect a busy, tightly timed trip with a $20 dock fee.

“Wow! I can’t give this activity enough stars. It was exactly what was described, and the sites themselves were spectacular. The cenotes, the reef…all that the island has to offer on a good day is indescribably beautiful. I wish you as good fortune as we had on our excursion. In addition, I have to commend the professionalism of our guide, Captain, and crewperson/photographer (Kika, Barracuda, and Layden, I believe). They were focused on our safety at all times and ensured that explanations and expectations were communicated ahead of time. Equipment was in excellent working order and any questions were thoroughly answered. This is a good activity for people who are…”

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Guided Small Group Manatee Snorkeling Tour with In-Water Photographer - The short video and safety briefing set the tone
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Guided Small Group Manatee Snorkeling Tour with In-Water Photographer

6.Guided Small Group Manatee Snorkeling Tour with In-Water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,336 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Spend about three hours with Gulf Coast Expeditions in Crystal River, snorkeling near West Indian manatees in their natural spring-fed habitat. A guide and captain lead the trip, provide wetsuits and gear, and take in-water photos. Guides such as Crystal, Celeste, Ron, and Mike have earned praise for their care, patience, and animal awareness.

“We had a wonderful time. Casey and Captain Ron created a fun family atmosphere. We felt completely cared for and like we were the only people swimming with the manatees. They constantly pointed them out and guided our direction to see all we could. Manatees galore. We laughed and learned while enjoying coffee and hot chocolate. Best service ever!”

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Hidden Cenote Swim: Snorkeling, Sea Turtles and Beachside Lunch - Akumal Beach means swimming, not just floating
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Hidden Cenote Swim: Snorkeling, Sea Turtles and Beachside Lunch

7.Hidden Cenote Swim: Snorkeling, Sea Turtles and Beachside Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,222 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $169

Travel from Cancun or Riviera Maya to a limestone cenote near Tulum, then snorkel from a boat toward Akumal Beach among turtles, fish, coral, and perhaps a ray. Guides such as Omar, Iker, Andrea, and Paulina are praised for clear instruction. Lunch, equipment, snacks, and hotel transport are included, but the drive can stretch the day.

“Absolutely amazing experience. Our guide Henry was amazing and our driver Victor was also amazing. Incredible experience definitely rememberable.”

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Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour - Wetsuits, Masks, and the Covered Pontoon
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Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour

8.Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,023 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $108

Meet River Ventures in Crystal River for a small-group manatee tour led by a Coast Guard certified captain and in-water guide. After a short lesson on passive interaction, you’ll wear a provided wetsuit and snorkel in Kings Bay and the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Heated winter cabins, drinks, snacks, and optional photos make this a comfortable choice.

“Snorkeling with the manatees and watching them eat, surface to catch a breath and then submerging again to forage for food.”

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Magical Cenote and Paradise Lagoon Snorkeling Adventure - Hotel pickup can shape the whole morning
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Magical Cenote and Paradise Lagoon Snorkeling Adventure

9.Magical Cenote and Paradise Lagoon Snorkeling Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 808 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

Spend a half day exploring a cool underground cenote and snorkeling among fish at Yal-Ku Lagoon. Guides such as Hazel, Omar, Jessica, and Santiago add history and humor, while transport, gear, life jackets, water, and snacks are included. Expect a small group of no more than 15 people and limited time at the lagoon.

“A trip for the history books with Diana guiding us and Lionel driving. Diana shared so much detail about the cenotes and their formation, all while keeping it light and fun. We had a marvelous time swimming and snorkeling with fish in the lagoon. The only feedback I have is that sunscreen was not allowed in the lagoon to protect the fish. If you are sensitive to the sun, bring a rash guard or long sleeve shirt to protect yourself.”

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Crystal River: Manatee Snorkel Tour w/ In-Water Photographer - The 25-minute briefing at River Ventures
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Crystal River: Manatee Snorkel Tour w/ In-Water Photographer

10.Manatee Snorkel Tour w/ In-Water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 633 reviews · 3 hours · from $87

Join River Ventures for a three-hour manatee tour from Crystal River. You’ll attend a 25-minute wildlife briefing, ride a covered pontoon boat to Three Sisters Springs, and snorkel with manatees under careful passive-interaction rules. A Coast Guard certified captain and in-water photographer guide the outing. Photo packages cost extra.

“The whole trip was absolutely amazing. From the moment I walked in the door and was greeted by Steph I knew this was going to be fun! My in water guide and photographer Natalie was super enthusiastic and knowledgeable about these amazing animals. She shared all sorts of info and answered every question. Captain Tanner did an excellent job as well and provided lots of in depth and fun information about the area we were in. He told us about how this area came to be and why it is so important not only for the preservation of manatees but dozens of other species that call this area home as…”

Dates and prices →Read our full review

Private 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour with Guide for up to 10 people - What the three-hour boat trip is like
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Private ‘OG’ Manatee Snorkel Tour with Guide for up to 10 people

11.Private ‘OG’ Manatee Snorkel Tour with Guide for up to 10 people

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 598 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $671 per boat (seats 10)

Meet at River Ventures in Crystal River for a private boat trip into the national wildlife refuge. You’ll watch a short manatee briefing, receive a wetsuit and snorkel gear, then enter the water with guides such as Sarah, Kelly, Dave, or Lindsey. Guides search for manatees and take photos above and below the water, available to buy afterward.

“Our guide Sarah and Captain Chip were fantastic! We did the private tour and were glad we did. Just the 4 of us with Sarah in the water with 3 huge Manatees and a baby. They came up to us and rolled around like puppy dogs, even looked us in the eyes face to face within inches many times. Couldn't have dreamt of a better experience with those creatures and our crew. This company cares about the Manatees, our environment, and their customers!”

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Manatee Snorkel Small Group Tour - A boat ride through the refuge
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Manatee Snorkel Small Group Tour

12.Manatee Snorkel Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 581 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $95

Take a three-hour boat trip from downtown Crystal River to the National Wildlife Refuge and Three Sisters Springs. Your small group, capped at six paying participants, receives a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and in-water guide. Captains and guides such as Gavin, Jessica, Judge, and Kaylee vary by departure, while optional photo packages capture your encounter.

“Excellent tour guide providing interesting details added to the trip (Zachary)! Or Captain Jason was excellent. You can tell they love these animals and it shows. Very well run organization, good price, super cute shop and very helpful overall.”

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Small Group Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide and Photographer - Starting at Salty Siren Tours
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Small Group Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide and Photographer

13.Small Group Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide and Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 574 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $89

Meet at Salty Siren Tours in Crystal River for a three-hour manatee outing capped at six people. You’ll receive a wetsuit, snorkel gear, safety guidance, and help from an in-water guide such as Tyler, Robin, Kim, or Ed. Expect a heated enclosed pontoon, wild manatees, and optional underwater photos and video.

“I know that we went in April and i guess that is in between seasons. So bot to crowed. And luckily we did not plan it but lucky enough to book a trip and ended up the only ones on our boat. (3 of us) As some of the boats out there had many people. Super cool! Mo was our captain and Tyler was our guide. They were both great. Fun and entertaining. Worked hard to make sure we spent plenty of time with the manatees and other fish and animals. It was incredibly cool.”

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Tulum, Snorkeling with Sea Turtles, Cenote and Beachside Lunch - Cenote El Sueño: the day’s most unusual swim
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Tulum, Snorkeling with Sea Turtles, Cenote and Beachside Lunch

14.Tulum, Snorkeling with Sea Turtles, Cenote and Beachside Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 446 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $189

Spend about 6.5 hours visiting Tulum’s Maya ruins, swimming in Cenote El Sueño, snorkeling near Akumal’s sea turtles, and eating at Punta Venado Beach Club. A bilingual guide such as Felix, Paulina, or Mario leads the day, with transport, gear, snacks, and lunch included. Bring a refillable bottle, towel, dry clothes, and extra food.

“Our driver Franco and guide Evelyn were fantastic, friendly, efficient and helpful. We had a wonderful time, it was exciting and informative for most of the day. We saw several turtles and even a few stingrays during snorkeling! The cenote was beautiful. It is a very busy itinerary, so eat beforehand as lunch is pretty late in the day (14:00 for us). The only thing that wasn't fantastic was we had a separate guide for Tulum, who did not give us a lot of information about the site and seemed very rushed. Otherwise it was great.”

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Private Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkel & Cenote Adventure - Yax-Muul cenotes: cool freshwater underground
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Private Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkel & Cenote Adventure

15.Private Tulum Ruins, Reef Snorkel & Cenote Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 304 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $332

Travel privately from Cancun to Tulum, a coral reef, and Yax-Muul cenotes with a bilingual guide such as Alma, Arturo, or Mariano. You get hotel pickup, snorkeling gear, water, and a Mayan taco lunch. Expect a full day of ruins, sea life, freshwater swimming, and extra fees for admission, photos, and reserve costs.

“We had a wonderful day on this tour! Our guide, Arturo, was friendly, outgoing, and very knowledgeable about the sites we visited. Taking a private tour was perfect because we could travel on the schedule that worked for us. We were picked up at our hotel and didn't have to worry about making several other stops to pick up others. Tulum was beautiful and so interesting, and we saw sea turtles, fish and sting rays when we snorkeled. Amazing! The cenotes were gorgeous and unlike anything we had seen before. The lunch served there was delicious too! My only advice would be to realize the tour company highly discourages the…”

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Bestseller! Tulum Private Tour with Turtles and Cenote Snorkeling - Tulum before the crowds arrive
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Bestseller! Tulum Private Tour with Turtles and Cenote Snorkeling

16★ 5.0Bestseller! Tulum Private Tour with Turtles and Cenote SnorkelingFrom $279266 reviews

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