3 Hour Costa Maya Snorkeling Excursion - La Leyenda ECO-TOURS
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Costa Maya, Mexico
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover the wealth of flora and fauna in the Great Mesoamerican Reef, the world’s second-largest coral reef system. Visit three snorkeling sites for the chance to encounter hundreds of vibrant tropical fish, including damselfish, puffers and stoplight parrotfish–and maybe even some sea turtles. Spend time relaxing on the white, sandy beach in Mahahual afterwards or opt for more time in the pristine turquoise sea on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard.
- Learn about the reef’s wildlife from experts with 50 years’ experience there
- Get action shots of you snorkelling taken by your guide
- Enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks on the boat
- A maximum of eight travelers per group for a more intimate experience
What's Included
- Use of Snorkeling equipmentUse of Snorkelling equipment
- Soda/Pop
- Snacks
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Coffee and/or TeaUpon request.
- Pick up or Drop off from cruise terminal.
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Malecón 3, 77940 Mahahual, Q.R., Mexico
Our stand is right on the beach in front of Hotel 40 Cañones.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Arranged start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
- 05/15/2023 - 08/17/2027
Monday - Sunday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- The minimum age for alcoholic beverages is 18 years of age and above.
- Snorkeling can be for everyone! So just let us know of any particular health/physical restrictions ahead of time so we can be prepared for your needs.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Urszula_H
Brie and David were extremely caring and accommodating. I have a tendency to get motion sickness. Brie made sure that I was ok and was checking on me the whole time. I was able to see the beautiful reef, different types of fish, spotted stingray, and a turtle. Guacamole was very tasty 😋. Would recommend this activity and would do it again if I am back in Costa Maya. Thank you!
Reviews
4.8
based on 142 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Sophy_B, Jul 2026
This was a family run tour. Small group size. There were only 5 in our tour, which made it feel more personal. Everyone was knowledgeable and friendly. My bestie got sick from accidentally drinking the seawater and they took great care of her. Additionally, you could tell they took pride in their home. They were very ecologically concerned. They even took sample to give to the local labs. They were very concerned about the effects of sargassum on the reef and local wildlife. The first reef we visited wasn't that great due to the sargassum. However, they went out of their way to find a beautiful, healthy reef for our second location and it was a marvel to see. I highly recommend this tour if visiting Costa Maya. And the guacamole was fire!
Janette_W, Jul 2026
Our snorkeling excursion was absolutely fantastic! We loved the small-group experience and the personal attention given to everyone on board. Our family of four shared the tour with another family of three, and the crew did an amazing job making sure both our teenagers and the younger children (ages 5 and 8) had a great time.
Captain and Jesus were incredible! Jesus was our guide in the water, and he made sure we didn't miss a thing. We saw beautiful coral, countless colorful fish, and even an amazing sea turtle—the highlight of our trip!
The team also provided clear, easy-to-follow instructions for getting to and from the port, which made everything stress-free from start to finish.
We highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a fun, safe, and unforgettable snorkeling experience. It was one of the highlights of our vacation!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thanks so much for coming with us! We're glad you enjoyed your 3 hour snorkeling experience. The pleasure was ours!
Melodie_W, Jul 2026
Our family (ages 16-55) all absolutely loved this excursion. Directions on where to meet were clear right from the start. We loved that it was a small group of just our family. Although we arrived 30 min early, they were ready for us and started right away. We saw so many beautiful fish and even a few stingrays. David and Jesus took such great care of us and were so personable. What an absolutely great excursion. Everyone was so kind, knowledgeable, and helpful. It was a fun surprise to see all the photos they included (at no extra cost - rare these days) afterwards. What a nice bonus. We would totally recommend!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for such a kind review! We're so happy you had a wonderful time on the 3 hour snorkeling experience with us!
Staci_S, Jun 2026
We booked a three hour snorkeling tour with La Leyenda. The experience was wonderful. They were organized and prepared for our group. We previously used another company and felt that La Leyenda was superior including the logistics of getting to their boat and accessing your gear etc. Our guides Zach and Jesus were very knowledgeable and made us very comfortable. We traveled with 3 adults and a 15 year old.
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for joining us on our 3 hour snorkeling tour! We're so glad you had a great time with our team.
Shannon_B, Jun 2026
Our snorkeling trip with Zac and Mr. Jesus was great! Neither of us had been snorkeling before and Zac did a good job at explaining the equipment and making us feel comfortable getting in the water. We struggled a bit at first, but he talked us through it and helped us calm down. Zac seemed really familiar with the area and took us to a couple good spots. We saw a sting rays, a sea turtle and lots of different fish. When I booked, I told them that we'd be there celebrating my partners' birthday and they brought a slice of cake for us to eat on the boat and helped make his day really special. It was a memorable day!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for coming with us on our 3 hour snorkeling excursion, and again Happy Birthday to your partner!
Kayleigh_S, Jun 2026
Miguel and his partner was awesome. Even though the water wasnt clear due to weather they ensured we had the most amazing time. Very understanding, and cooperative when you feel nauseous or get overwhelmed as well.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We wish the conditions were always 100% for our 3 hour snorkeling excursions, but thank you for understanding and we're so glad you had a great time!
Melissa_R, May 2026
Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate for our excursion, but the owners of this company were so kind and helpful. Got our money back right away and got to use their beach area for free. Their boats looked really nice and safe. We will be back to do this excursion in the future. Thank you!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Hopefully next time the weather will participate! Thank you again for choosing us :)
Daniel_S, May 2026
Everything about the trip was great - the instructions and transportation, the owners and the guides, and the snorkeling!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for coming with us on our 3 hour snorkeling experience! We're very happy you had a good time with us!
Klea_B, May 2026
Cpt Zach & Jesus were terrific hosts, and made every effort for my husband and I to have a excellent adventure. Although, the weather wasn't as nice as we would have hoped for; Cpt Zach took the time to find great areas to snorkel and Jesus guided us to all the best spots in the water. Between dive areas, Cpt Zach made us some refreshments (handmade guacamole along with beer and soda). We saw a sting ray and many beautiful varieties of smaller fish in the coral reefs. Even though, the sea was rough, and I ended up getting queasy, Cpt Zach was very attentive and made sure I had the most comfortable experience possible, while Jesus and my husband took in other areas to snorkel. We received lovely pictures of our trip along with some of their highlights from other adventures. Thank you, Jesus for taking pictures! I really appreciated the kindness and ease of the experience from booking, prior communication, to the warm welcome we received and the effort that everyone gave us to make our experience as pleasurable as possible. Thank you very much and I would recommend your company in a heartbeat!
Response from Host, May 2026
We're so glad you had a great experience with us (despite the not-so-perfect weather!) on our 3 hour snorkeling excursion!
DeeDee_B, May 2026
Our private snorkeling excursion in Costa Maya was hands down one of the best experiences of our cruise! Brianna was absolutely incredible — calm, professional, easygoing, and always focused on keeping everyone safe and comfortable while still making sure we had an unforgettable adventure.
She took us to multiple snorkeling spots where we saw stunning marine life and beautiful coral formations. You can genuinely tell she loves what she does and cares deeply about giving guests an amazing experience.
The drinks and snacks were such a nice touch, especially the fresh chips and guacamole made by the captain — absolutely delicious!
Snorkeling the second largest reef in the world is truly a must-do when visiting Costa Maya, and this family-owned business made it feel personal, authentic, and special. Highly recommend to anyone visiting the area!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks so much! We're glad you had a great experience with us on our 3 hour snorkeling excursion!
Mariah_S, May 2026
We had Zach and Jose they were the best! Jose allowed us to see so many cool things that we have never seen before while snorkeling. Zach was a great captain and was great at explaining what we saw. I would definitely go on this again!
Response from Host, May 2026
We really appreciate you coming with us and your kind review!
Stephanie_C, May 2026
We had a blast on this tour! We booked this experience to save some money and do an excursion of our own instead of going through the cruise site. We received a confirmation message about the meeting point with easy to follow instructions. A taxi dropped us off and we were a group of five. The boat captain, Zack, and the snorkel guide, Jesus, were super friendly and wanted to make the most of our time. The water was a bit rough but we were able to see tons of fish and beautiful coral. At the second spot we saw a sea turtle up close. The handmade guacamole and the drinks were so refreshing! We will probably book this again if we go back. Highly highly recommend!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks so much! We're glad you had a great time snorkeling with us, and we absolutely look forward to your next visit!
Shawn_F, May 2026
Good snorkeling sites and experience. Friendly staff. Nice touch with guacamole and chips! The mango was great as well.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks again for coming snorkeling with us!
David_R, Apr 2026
Extremely accommodating & genuine concern for everyone to have a memorable experience. This is our new standard!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thanks so much for choosing us!
Katherine_D, Apr 2026
The water was too rough for this small boat that held 8 people. The part of the reef we first explored was lacking marine life and in the rough seas I felt we were too close to the coral heads. The second location had abundant sea life but was inundated with other groups of people and their boats. we lost track of our guide in the rough water and for a while could not locate our boat. The life bouy cared by our guide was identical to every other guide bouy. Maybe they shoud be distinguished by a flag. Please offer guests bottled water. Drinking water from a jug did not seem wise to do in Mexico.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Hi, we appreciate your feedback.
Life preserver rings, as well as life vest colors, are standardized by the harbor master, not by individual operators.
The amount of marine life not only differs depending on conditions day to day, but also results from human and environmental causes world-wide.
We understand the inconvenience of being inundated with other groups and crowds, and we always do our best to provide a safe, exciting and comfortable experience for our guests. Your visit fell on one of the single busiest days of the year, with many other tourists arriving to our area by cruise ship for a short dock time, just as yourself.
Since we put sustainable tourism at the forefront of our operations, bottled water is simply not provided. The amount of foreign plastic trash arriving daily to our coasts is frightening. The easiest way to eliminate waste from single-use plastics is simply to avoid using them. For this incredibly important reason, we provide perfectly safe, purified, ice cold drinking water in an Igloo thermos on our excursions.
Have a great day!
Weldon_S, Apr 2026
Great time. Saw sea turtle. Had all the snorkling equipment we needed. Had snacks and drinks as advertised. Homemade quac was exellent and fresh. Felt safe.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We're glad you had a great time!
Vince_A, Apr 2026
Unfortunately overtly safely conscious and makes you wear lifejacket through whole swim. Thus used alot more energy than needed
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We understand that wearing a life jacket in the snorkeling areas can be a bit cumbersome, however it is as much for the safety of our wildlife as it is for our guests.
Of the many tens of thousands of visitors to our coral reef each year, those without proper buoyancy are the ones most responsible for accidentally finning coral and intentionally pursuing sea turtles.
Also, mandatory life vest use is not company policy, but that of the harbor master/coast guard. Any groups seen without life vests are in violation of that policy.
Have a great day!
Marlene_A, Mar 2026
We had the best time, very knowledgeable! Fun times! Was able to see fish and turtles! Thanks for having us!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks so much for coming with us on our 3 hour snorkeling excursion! We're glad you enjoyed your time :)
Abby_F, Mar 2026
Had the best time with Zach and we had the trip a perfect 10/10! Great great great 100% do it. I would go back and do it again
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks so much for coming with us!
Amanda_C, Mar 2026
This was an amazing experience! My family of four including 17 and 10 yr old girls had a private and personally tailored experience. From the cruise port we took a taxi about 2 miles at $5 pp to the meeting spot. We were so amazed by our Captain Zach and guide Jesus! The two of them know the reef and area so well. They took us to the most amazing spots to snorkel! We saw so many different fish, unique coral, a HUGE Manta Ray, a couple of sting rays and before we were done even a sea turtle!!!! This day hit so many family bucket list items. Jesus not only kept us together and safe in the water but knew all the places to look to find amazing sea creatures and treasures. Captain Zach treated us like royalty. We snorkeled for a good long time in one spot covering a sizable area. He was always close by if needed. Then we got back in the boat where we were treated to fresh made and delicious guacamole and chips, fresh fruit, water, soda and beer. Jesus even taught us the correct way to cut and eat a mango. Capt. Zach took us to a protected marine park and worked with Jesus to find a sea turtle. Snorkeling with a sea turtle was a true bucket list item for us and it was magical watching the endangered turtle munch in sea grass right below us! Capt. Zach was so knowledgeable about the area and was so happy to answer all my kids curious questions. We loved how much our guides respect and work to care for the reef. We did two other snorkeling experiences while on our cruise vacation but nothing compares to how amazing this experience was! To have the 3 hours to take time to really explore and see so much, to be treated so well and have such a great experience set this tour far apart and above and beyond all others.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for coming with us and for such a great review! We're so glad you enjoyed your experience with us.
Anthony_R, Mar 2026
This was definitely an amazing trip. From start to Finnish. The staff was very polite, kind and respectful. Not to mention, very knowledgeable of the waters. They gave us water,sodas or beer and even made us guacamole fresh while you watched. I would do it all over again soon. You should try this.we booked it from home without the cruise. And still had a blast.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much!!
Jeff_P, Mar 2026
It is “wild” snorkeling. Not swimming around fish stations where they feed them. If you don’t mind choppy but warm clear water it’s a great place! We saw (swam with) a sea turtle too which was awesome.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks! We're so glad you had a great time! Turtles are always one of our favorite encounters.
Dana, Jan 2026
We took a taxi from the cruise port to the boat location. Taxi drivers were familiar with the boat company, and getting there was easy. The guides were excellent. We had a group ranging in age from 8 to 70, and everyone had a wonderful time.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for coming with us on our 3 hour snorkeling experience!
Greg_B, Jan 2026
We had a great time. When we got to port on our cruise, we learned that multiple snorkeling trips were cancelled, but not ours! I called the phone number to see if we were cancelled thinking no one would answer and sure enough, David answered and confirmed we were good to go. The location was a quick cab ride from the port.
We saw a good amount of sea life.. turtles, big sting rays, and lots of fish. We were glad to enjoy the experience.
We spent time after the excursion chatting with Bri and she was just lovely to spend time with and shared a lot of information with us about the area and the reefs and helped with any and all questions.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thanks so much for coming with us!
DANIEL_H, Jan 2026
This was a perfect shore excursion for us. I took my twin 8-year-olds and 12-year-old snorkeling and saw the beautiful reef and turtles. The guides were extremely friendly. Location was easy to find. Even with last minute changes to our port times and limitations, David and the team made things seamless and easy. His crew knew just how to support a family with young children and ensure we all had a great time and felt like we were with extended family.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thanks so much for choosing us and for such a kind review! It was our pleasure, and we certainly hope to see you again in the future. Saludos!
Tonya_C, Dec 2025
Pros:
- 3 Turtles
- good snorkel gear
- small boat
Cons:
- English was not spoken by our guide or Captain (Jesus & Jesus)
- Started 20 min late
Unfortunate for us:
- the reef is dead
- water visibility was low
- current made swimming rough
We snorkel a lot and the reviews of this trip were wonderful. It was not what we hoped for BUT we saw turtles, so we can't be too upset.
Jody_P, Nov 2025
Snorkeled for 20 min in 2 different spots. Neither spot was tropical. Didn't see many fish. Asked questions and they had no idea what i was saying because they didn't speak English. The guide was overzealous yelling. The beach was mucky grose sand. Only gave a 3 and not less because the couple at stand were nice but they didnt come on boat.
David_H, Oct 2025
One of the best snorkeling experiences in all of Costa Maya and Mahahual! We went to reef where we were the only people there. The sea life and reefs were fantastic and our guide and captain even more so. On the way back, the guacamole was fresh made and tasty. We will definitely do it again when visiting.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much!
Alexey_K, Oct 2025
The excursion itself was very enjoyable! Although we didn’t see many fish due to windy weather and murky water, the overall experience was still excellent. The operator provided beverages along with delicious guacamole and chips during our return sail, which was a nice touch.
However, I’m giving this experience 3 stars because the operator filmed the trip with a GoPro and promised to share the video shortly afterward. It has now been three weeks, and we have not received any follow-up or video links as promised.
Steve_E, Oct 2025
Awesome excursion! Very friendly, very safe, and brought delicious food for our diving. They worked hard to give us the best experience possible. We’re experienced snorkelers, but Joe was never far away with a floating ring just in case. They know the local topography and really went all out for us. This is good for beginners and advanced snorkelers, lots to see and a good crew. I’ll be back next time we’re in Costa Maya
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