Time the water for the best swim
Why tides matter here
Playa's tide swing is small (under 1.5 ft) but timing changes everything: cenotes refill at high tide, Akumal turtles graze close to shore at mid-to-high, and snorkel reefs are clearest 1–2 hours before high tide.
Sun May 17
High
5:42 AM (1.3 ft)
Low
12:05 PM (0.2 ft)
High
6:18 PM (1.4 ft)
Mon May 18
High
6:21 AM (1.3 ft)
Low
12:48 PM (0.2 ft)
High
7:02 PM (1.4 ft)
Tue May 19
High
7:00 AM (1.3 ft)
Low
1:30 PM (0.3 ft)
High
7:48 PM (1.3 ft)
Wed May 20
High
7:42 AM (1.2 ft)
Low
2:14 PM (0.4 ft)
High
8:36 PM (1.3 ft)
Thu May 21
High
8:28 AM (1.2 ft)
Low
3:01 PM (0.4 ft)
High
9:28 PM (1.2 ft)
Predicted values — confirm live before snorkel trips.
Best windows