A Family Snorkel Trip to the Tulum Reef with MexiDivers

Four generations, two toddlers, a turtle that wouldn't leave us alone — and one of the most magical days the Caribbean has ever offered

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We all piled in — four generations of grandmas, mothers, kids, and friends. A beautiful mix of swimming levels: some who didn't swim at all, some who were fearless in the water, and two little ones under five who were about to have the best day of their young lives.

MexiDivers launches daily from the beach at Zamas Hotel, and on any given morning you'll see a continuous stream of guides, tanks, fins, and passengers making their way in and out of the shallow surf to the waiting panga boats. I've gone out with Mexi many times over the years — I know the drill. You climb in, they load up the fins, snorkels, drinks, and gear, and then you're off.

The ride out — a history lesson along the shore

The Tulum hotel strip as seen from the MexiDivers boat — every palapa has a story

The Tulum beach hotel strip viewed from the sea — a row of rustic thatched-roof palapa bungalows perched on rocky limestone coastline above the turquoise Caribbean, under a cloudless blue sky.

As we ventured north, I loved watching the string of small hotels slide past along the shoreline. For me it's a living history of Tulum's development — some structures older, with makeshift additions built over decades; others brand new and not yet weathered by the onshore wind and salt spray. I know a lot of the stories behind these places: the people, the seasons, the memories. For my fellow passengers, it was simply a beautiful landscape drifting by, the sun warming their faces as they wondered what lay ahead.

We were a large group and had the boat to ourselves that day. The boats typically hold seven passengers plus a captain and guide — a good intimate size. And a departure from the old days: everyone wears a life jacket now. MexiDivers handles mixed groups easily, so not to worry if you have varying levels of agility and comfort in the water. Our guide, Sebas, had a relaxed and mellow way about him — instinctively knowing when to assist with the in-and-out-of-the-boat endeavors. His love of the sea was contagious, and he was quick to let us know when a turtle popped its head above water or a flying fish "flew" by.

Past the ruins and on to Solimán Bay

Four generations, one boat, and the Tulum Ruins right behind us — it doesn't get better than this

A multi-generational family group seated in a MexiDivers panga boat wearing life jackets and sun hats, with the ancient Tulum Ruins — El Castillo — dramatically visible on the limestone cliff behind them across the turquoise Caribbean Sea.

We rode past the Castillo de Tulum — stunningly romantic perched on its cliff above the sea, exactly as it appears in the 1984 film Against All Odds. If you've seen it, you know the scene: Rachel Ward arrives on the shore below the ruins, soon to be joined by Jeff Bridges, in one of the most achingly beautiful backdrops ever put on film. Seeing it from the water makes it even more so.

Then we continued south beyond Jaguar Park — weaving in and out of inlets and mangrove channels all the way to Solimán Bay. No crocodiles or sharks spotted today. (Smiling.)

"Every time I go out to sea it brings me back — it refocuses me, adjusts my perspective to the essential elements of life."

Into the water — what we saw

A hawksbill turtle at the Tulum reef — moments like this are why you come

A hawksbill sea turtle gliding past vibrant coral formations — brain coral, sponges, and sea fans — in the crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Mesoamerican Reef near Tulum, Mexico, with small yellow fish darting in the background.

Crystal-clear water and a perfect day — we could not have asked for more. We congregated near the reef spot where the tour boats gather, slipped in, and immediately felt like we'd dropped into a giant aquarium.

Our four-year-old peered through the surface and an adolescent turtle popped up as if to say hello — and then kept coming back, again and again, as if genuinely playing with him. I was startled and humbled, as I always am, by the sheer generosity of marine life.

Here's a snapshot of what we saw that day:

Snorkeling isn't what it was when I first came thirty-two years ago — we have not escaped the impact of climate change and global warming has taken a toll on the Mesoamerican Reef. But conservation efforts are underway: the Mexican government has cordoned off sections of reef to allow for recovery, and MexiDivers is actively involved in a reef rehabilitation program with the Mexican NGO Oceanus A.C (more on that in a future post).

Yet, the sea is resilient, and its beauty shines through. There is not a day that I look at the sea and am not awed. Its massive beauty always draws me in, humbles me, and soothes my soul. And, on a clear day like this one there is nothing more magical.

Back on shore

We stayed in the water a long time. When we finally climbed back onto the boat, everyone was glowing — that particular combination of sun, salt, and wonder that you can't manufacture anywhere else. We returned to Zamas, plopped into the thatch-umbrella chairs on the beach, and ordered drinks and guacamole.

That's the thing about the sea — it gives you simple joys and amazing wonders. As we rode home, with a gentle seawater spray misting us, I watched the birds fly by and remembered the turtles, the fish, the coral, and the stingrays. In one short boat ride, we experienced a world much grander than our little family. That afternoon, with the sand in our toes, we played, and laughed, and ate heartily, while each of us held close the adventure of the day and our collective bond of family.

Good to know: The Mesoamerican Reef is the second largest coral reef system in the world — stretching from the tip of Cancún all the way to Belize — second only to Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

MexiDivers — practical info

Location: KM 5 south of the Tulum Ruins, beach road · At Zamas Hotel

Hours: Daily, 7 am – 6 pm

Phone: +52 984 807 8805

Email: info@mexidivers.com

Booking via Zamas Hotel: Tel/WhatsApp: +52 984 145 2602 · Email: FrontDesk@zamas.com

Sunblock policy: Chemical sunblock is prohibited — it suffocates the reef. Wear rash guards, hats, and UV-protective clothing instead (more effective anyway)

What to bring: Reusable water bottle · Canned drinks or snacks welcome · Reef-safe attitude

Note to divers: Open Water and Cenote Dive packages are available. Inquire at Mexi or Zamas for the deal of the season!