Contoy Island Reserve & Isla Mujeres Day Trip: Snorkel Ixlache Reef and Beach Time
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
10 hours (full day)
Fitness Level
Suitable for travelers with average fitness—able to handle short swims, moderate walking on sandy and uneven surfaces, and boarding boats.
Overview
Spend a day sailing from Cancún to two very different Caribbean islands: a protected wildlife reserve where visitors are strictly limited, and Isla Mujeres’ bustling shore with shops and cafes. The trip mixes morning reef snorkeling at Ixlache with a guided tour of Isla Contoy and a relaxed hour to explore Isla Mujeres.
Contoy Island Reserve & Isla Mujeres Day Trip: Snorkel Ixlache Reef and Beach Time
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You step off the catamaran and the Atlantic rearranges your senses: the water sharpens to a Caribbean blue, the sand underfoot is fine and bright enough to make the sky look deeper. The morning begins with a short, bracing snorkel at Ixlache Reef — masks fog, fins kick, and a scattered city of parrotfish, angelfish and branching corals move around you with indifferent grace. By late morning the boat eases into the protected cove at Isla Contoy, a small reserve that admits only a handful of visitors each day. A certified guide opens the gate to an island where the principal activities are quiet observation and measured awe.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Confirm pickup and meeting point
Pickup times vary by hotel; contact the supplier to confirm exact pickup location at least 24 hours before departure.
Carry reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
Contoy is a protected reserve—use mineral sunscreen to protect coral and bring shade for the boat and island walk.
Bring a small dry bag
Keep your phone, wallet and a dry change of clothes protected; boarding and on-deck breezes make everything damp quickly.
Budget for extra fees
Dock fee (~$20 USD) and infant transport surcharge ($18 USD) are not included—have cash on hand.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Brown pelicans
- Frigatebirds (Magnificent frigatebird)
History
Contoy has long been a navigational waypoint and was declared a protected natural park to preserve breeding bird colonies and coastal marine habitats.
Conservation
Access to Contoy is strictly limited to protect nesting birds and turtle habitat; visitors are asked to use reef-safe products and minimize waste.
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Adventure Hotspots in Cancún
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Snorkel mask and fins
Personal equipment fits better and is more hygienic than shared gear when snorkeling Ixlache reef.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects your skin and the coral ecosystem—mandatory for eco-friendly visits.
summer specific
Light windbreaker or cover-up
Morning sea breeze and afternoon shade on the boat make a lightweight layer useful.
spring specific
Waterproof dry bag
Keeps valuables dry during transit and when on deck.