Dolphin Beach (Playa Delfines) is one of the most photographed sites in Cancun and tourists typically descend onto this scenic lookout—near the Cancun Hotel Zone (Avenida Kukulkan)—for their first views of the shoreline and the Mexican Caribbean. Expect views of miles of white-sand beach, colorful umbrellas dotting the shore, and the blue, blue sea—as you might imagine, stepping onto the white wooden lookout at Playa Delfines is, for some, the be all and end all of Cancun views.

Parasail up, up, and away to the highest highs for panoramic views of Cancun that will leave you exhilarated. Buckle into your harness and feel the ocean breeze on your skin as you soar over the Caribbean Sea, securely harnessed to a boat down below. If you've never parasailed before, keep in mind that the most surprising part of a Cancun parasailing experience may be the peace and quiet, and, of course, those stellar panoramas of the Cancun city views and sweeping ocean beneath you.

Climb aboard one of 35 cabins on the Sky Wheel Cancun and enjoy a slow ride to the peak of the Ferris wheel, which at 229-feet-high (70-meters-high) offers some of the city's more extraordinary views. It’s one of the top viewpoints in Cancun to see it all, allowing you to capture panoramic photos of everything from the Hotel Zone to downtown Cancun. The Sky Wheel is located in La Isla Shopping Village, which also makes it a convenient spot to combine the view with a souvenir shopping trip.

A charming island situated across the bay from Cancun, Isla Mujeres is the easternmost point of Mexico and the first to welcome the rays of the morning sun. Here, you can walk along the cliffs and listen to crashing waves as you gaze at the Cancun skyline in the distance from Punta Sur; admire the small Maya temple honoring the goddess Ixchel, with nothing but the sea as your backdrop; or fly high from the cliffs on the Garrafon Park zipline.

Dive into the depths of the deep blue sea off Cancun and you’ll understand why the Mexican Caribbean attracts scuba divers and snorkelers from around the world. Give it a go yourself at the Cancun Underwater Museum of Art (Museo Subacuático de Arte), or MUSA, which is comprised of a series of sculptures on the seafloor that draws an abundance of marine life, such as parrot fish and sea turtles.

Seeing whale sharks in real life counts as getting a great, front-row view on nature, right? Good, because every year, between the months of May and September, pods of giant whale sharks migrate to the waters around Cancun, Isla Mujeres, and Contoy Island (Isla Contoy). These gentle giants, which can grow up to 40 feet (12 meters) or more in length, are nicknamed “dominoes” by the locals for their dotted skin.

If you’re wondering where to watch the sunset, the deck of a Cancun catamaran cruise makes for a luxurious option. Sail past the Hotel Zone and the Isla Mujeres shoreline while the sun sets over the Bay of Mujeres during a sunset cruise with an open bar. Raise a glass to toast the day and soak up the sights from one of the top Cancun viewpoints for an impressive sunset vista.

Cancun offers more than just ocean views. As the sun sets and the moon rises, the sky over the Nichupté Lagoon fills with sparkling stars while the Cancun skyline lights up and reflects off the waves, creating a shimmery mirror image of the neon lights of grand hotels and luxury resorts. Keep an eye out for crocodiles by the dock and dolphins leaping by the bow. Booking a romantic Cancun night cruise for an extra swoon-worthy view is never a bad idea, either.