Aquaworld

Aquaworld calls itself the marina with the most tours and water activities in Cancún, and its dock at kilometre 15.3 of Boulevard Kukulcán, on the lagoon side of the Hotel Zone, is the starting point for many of the classic boat trips in the city. It works for the whole family, with activities ranging from gentle snorkelling to scuba diving.

The best-known excursion is the jungle tour, which combines a trip on the Nichupté lagoon with snorkelling. Another lagoon option is the Skyrider on the Laguna Nichupté.

At sea, Aquaworld runs snorkelling trips to the MUSA underwater museum at Punta Nizuc, where 23 sculptures stand in about four metres of water, a gallery reserved for snorkelling. For a day trip, there is a snorkelling excursion to Isla Mujeres, and the Aquamaran catamaran tour also sails from Cancún to the island with snorkelling on the way. The Subsee Explorer offers submarine tours, in Cancún and also in Cozumel, which suit those who would rather not swim. Fishing trips, private boat charters and diving complete the programme. The MUSA trips give a good introduction to the underwater museum's story: the sculptures were placed from 2009 onwards to create an artificial reef and ease pressure on Cancún's natural reefs, and the larger Manchones gallery, with more than 470 figures, lies off Isla Mujeres for those who later want to dive it. Isla Mujeres itself, a narrow island about seven kilometres long, rewards time ashore, with Playa Norte at its northern tip and the reef of Garrafón Park in the south.

Aquaworld suits families, groups and visitors who want to book several water activities with one operator, and its range is useful for mixed groups where some people want to snorkel or dive and others prefer to stay dry.

Bookings can be made online or by email, and there is a toll-free number for callers from the United States and Canada. Check the individual tour pages for durations, departure times and what is included, as these vary by activity and are not shown on the main page.

The marina is in the middle of the Hotel Zone, close to the lagoon-side restaurants around kilometre 14, such as Harry's, Porfirio's, Puerto Madero and Fred's, so a morning on the water can easily be followed by lunch with a view.