I am wondering which park is better to visit for a first time snorkler or are they both worth a visit from Cancun? Also, is it possible to go to Tulum and Xel Ha in one day?

I've been to both. Tulum/Xel Ha is about an 1.5 hour drive from Cancun. Not sure how far Xcaret is because I went there from PDC, but it's at least that far. Xcaret is much bigger and, in my opinion, more fun. You can definitely do the other 2 in one day. They are only about 15 minutes apart from one another and you don't need all day at either.

I have also been to both, and I liked Xcaret better. There's more to do. I would do Tulum earlier in the day and then Xcaret later. Then stay for their night show. The first half is really good.

What if you're an experienced snorkler any other suggestions?

Xcaret snorkelling isn't great. All it is, is "underground" rivers with no fish. There are lots of other attractions at Xcaret, like the animals, night time entertainment and a Mayan village recreation, but don't go there just for snorkelling.

Most tour companies do Xel Ha and Tulum combo day trips. Be prepared for a lot of driving, picking up other passengers, etc. if you take a bus tour. If you can go on your own, much better. Xel Ha has snorkelling down the mangroves and is much better to actually see fish. We saw parrot fish, lots of Sgt. Majors, little sailfish, etc.
If you can go to Akumal lagoon, that also has good snorkelling, although the water is brackish (mix of fresh/salt water) and not the clearest.

Just my opinion..dont bash me but i went to xel-ha and thought it was a total waste of time !!! and money.. i have 4 kids ages 8-10 and went to "snorkel" ..no fish , tons,tons, did i say TONS of people and again, no fish..the best thing about it was the cliff jumping....we spent the full day and actually left early!!! was a wasted day in all our minds altho the cliff jumping stayed in our kids minds....
2 days after we chartered a boat out of Aqua World in cancun for i think about $200-300 and spent 3 hours at manjones reef (spelling?) ...this was the best and best use of our money as the other snorkel, cattle boats, kept u in a designated area and was very crowded,,,,,
hope thuis helps...

Neither...

A great place for a first time snorkeler to enjoy and go at their own pace is Yalku Lagoon in Akumal.

Also in Akumal is Half Moon Bay - another good spot. Both of these will allow for a laid back and quiet opportunity to relax and see the amazing sea life in Caribbean Mexico.

Both Xel Ha and Xcaret are crowded, overpriced and touristy. (imho, of course... )

Thank you for the suggestions. I look forward to trying the "authentic" snorkeling. I was wondering if Xcaret and Xel-ha were like Discovery Cove in Florida.

Also been to both. Xcaret takes the prize. However, for an adventure in snorkeling go to Dos Ojos Cave diving (find it along the highway between Tulum and Playa DC. Yal-Ku lagoon in Akumal had a lot of fish to see a few years ago.

Can you snorkle at the caves or do you have to dive? (I have had surgery on my ears and am not allowed to dive though I used to be an expert diver..)Also if anyone can recommend a boat trip for expert snorklers that is good after the hurricane damage please post it

Yes, you can do Xel Ha and Tulum in one day. There are package tours to both places galore. It is one of the most common packages.

Or you could go to Yal Ku Lagoon.
Xel Ha and Xcaret are expensive and crowded. Go to Yal Ku early, I.E. 9 AM, pay $6 per head, and you might have the place to yourselves. We have done it twice that way. You would have to leave CC by 8 at the latest by taxi or car rental.
Norm

Actually Xel Ha and Xcaret are probably not our cup of tea. We are staying on Half Moon Bay so we can walk to yul-ke lagoon. I used to live in St Thomas so I'm a very experienced and was wondering if anyone knew of a boat trip from Akumal or PDC that went to Cozumal or elsewhere that had the best snorkling (not diving).

I would vote for Xcaret. I visited both parks and prefered Xcaret. I don't really recall the snorkeling but I did enjoy "tubing" down the underground river. What can I say, it was fun. Xcaret does have a wonderful night show, mine was in an oper air theatre and we heard music from the various regions of Mexico. We are probably returing to Cancun this May and I'm definitely visiting Xcaret this time around (my 3rd.)

We did some snorkeling at Isla de Mujeres and on the jungle tour. It was fun also.

Have fun!

I took one of those Xel Ha and Tulum in one day tours. I liked both places but I do not like tour. We kept wishing we had done it alone w/out a tour group, and also thought that both places deserved their own day.

We also liked Xcaret better than Xel Ha. Altough snorkeling at both places was just so so. I agree both are touristy though, and took notes on some of the other places recommended on this thread.

Tulum though, IMHO is not to be missed!