Cancun is one of the most popular beach vacation spots on the planet. From numerous luxury resorts and Airbnbs in Cancun to world-class nightlife plus adventure parks and ancient ruins within a short drive, Cancun is definitely a top destination for fun seeking tourists. But possibly the biggest highlight is the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea which make a perfect setting for Cancun water activities.
The waters around Cancun are considered to be some of the most beautiful in the world, and they provide endless hours of fun and excitement making it a top spot for water sports in Mexico. Here are a few of the popular water activities in Cancun that you can experience when you’re there.
Cancun Water Sports
Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding has become one of the top water sports in Cancun. While it’s generally regarded as being an adventurous and sometimes dangerous activity, it´s not nearly as dangerous as it looks. This is an exhilarating water sport which combines the best of wakeboarding, surfing, and windsurfing.
There’s no shortage of kites flying over the blue seas of Cancun, and they’re now one of the most common pieces of sports equipment seen in the open water. Kiteboarding can be relatively easy to learn but very difficult to master. There are numerous certified trainers and professionals that teach inexperienced newcomers, and the training is always done in shallow waters.
Flyboarding
Parts of the Yucatan can make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time but there’s a particular water sport that looks like it’s from the future. Thanks to the beautiful waters of the Caribbean, visitors can easily experience the futuristic joy of flyboarding. It’s a unique water-based activity that includes a special hydro flighting device that blasts its users into the air and leaves them hovering over the water.
Even though it appears that flyboarding is a piece of cake at first, it’s actually quite challenging to get the hang of. The device allows you to both propel up in the air or to accelerate down into the sea, and it’s done in a combination with a jet ski which is connected to your board. As mentioned, this sport does take quite a bit of time to get the hang of, but once you get it down it’s an absolute blast to ride.
Make sure you have everything you need for the perfect beach vacation. Click here for our complete Cancun packing list!
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving in the Riviera Maya will always be one of the top attractions for visitors to Cancun. With some of the world’s most beautiful underwater scenery, diving the Caribbean will give you the opportunity to witness some of the planet’s most unique and fascinating creatures, as well as numerous shipwrecks. With high visibility, warm waters, coral reefs and abundant sea life, Cancun is the ideal spot for both professional divers and newcomers alike.
The eerie wrecks found in the area are considered some of the best dive spots in the world and there are thousands of underwater creatures native to this region. Cancun is also a great place to become a certified diver thanks to the high visibility and abundance of professional instructors. Just be sure to do your research before selecting an instructor and go with a reputable company such as PADI trained. Also, make sure your travel insurance for Mexico covers scuba diving.
If surfing is you watersport of choice you may want to consider a destination like Sayulita on Mexico’s Pacific Coast
Snorkeling
While sometimes it feels like snorkeling is diving’s younger brother, there is a unique sense of adventure that comes along with it. Not every part of the waters needs to be explored deep down, especially parts like the Mesoamerican Coral Reef. The pristine and clear waters of the Caribbean allow even for snorkelers, who generally remain on the surface of the water, to have unparalleled sights.
One of the best parts about snorkeling in Cancun is that there are dozens of spots within a short ride from the city or right off the beach. However, the best spots are generally the ones reached by boat. Fortunately, there are numerous snorkeling tours out of Cancun that will readily take you to just about any snorkeling spot you want to go visit. There are also eco-parks like Xel Ha and Xcaret which offer spectacular snorkeling right offshore.
Many all-inclusive resorts include water sports and activities! Click here to find out more.
Speedboating
Being out on the sea allows for some of the most fantastic views of the region, and the calm nature of the Caribbean makes speed boating one of the more popular activities in Cancun. There are numerous mangroves to explore and many speed boating tours allow for the passenger to snorkel around large shoals of fish. Zipping around the stunning Nichupte Lagoon is highly recommended and should be added to your list of things to do while in Cancun.
Sailing
Speed boating is fun but if it’s serenity you’re after then sailing is the way to go. The beautiful, and usually peaceful, waters around Cancun and the Riviera Maya are perfect for sailing and are a great way to pay a visit to the island of Cozumel and Isla Mujeres. There are boat charters available for those who can sail as well as organized tours aboard luxurious catamarans and smaller sailboats.
Parasailing
If you’ve always wanted to fly then parasailing may become your favorite Cancun water activity. You are harnessed to a parachute-like kite that is attached to a speed boat. Said boat then hits the throttle and you are lifted into the clear blue sky as air fills the parachute. You will then float, almost weightlessly, high above the turquoise waters and golden sand. It is both an exhilarating and incredibly peaceful experience until your feet touch back down to earth.
Cancun is an absolutely delightful destination with so much natural beauty and man-made fun to be had. But no visit to the stunning and exciting Mayan Riviera is complete without a taste of the wide variety of water activities around Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
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Diving in Cenotes
Diving is one of the biggest draws to visiting Cancun and the Yucatan of Mexico. Did you know that you can dive in cenotes? Cenotes are natural pools that are formed by underground rivers and some are deep enough to dive. Read more about cenotes like Suytun on the Art of Scuba Diving.
Born in England, Sarah developed her wanderlust at a young age as she traveled around Europe with her parents. As a young adult she spent every penny she could on experiences as opposed to possessions. Eventually she found a way to earn a living doing what she loved: traveling, writing and capturing images of the wondrous world we live in. When not on the go Sarah enjoys time in her “sometimes home” of Vancouver.