Isla Contoy Day Trip from Cancun & Riviera Maya — Snorkel Ixlaché Reef & Isla Mujeres Stop
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
10 hours (full day)
Fitness Level
Suitable for most travelers who can board a small boat and swim short snorkel sessions; expect some walking on sand and uneven paths.
Overview
A full-day catamaran from Cancun or the Riviera Maya that pairs a reef snorkel with a guided visit to Isla Contoy—Mexico’s protected bird and reef sanctuary—plus a stop in Isla Mujeres. Advance booking is essential: Contoy caps visitors at 200 a day.
Isla Contoy Day Trip from Cancun & Riviera Maya — Snorkel Ixlaché Reef & Isla Mujeres Stop
Select participants and date
The catamaran eases away from the marina and the city’s skyline recedes into a ribbon of heat and glass. Salt spray stings your lips, gulls wheel as if reviewing the guest list, and the horizon opens to a sheet of Caribbean blue that seems to dare you to keep looking. Ninety minutes of slow ocean and the water changes—deeper blues give way to the pale greens of reef flats—and then Contoy appears: a low, forested oval ringed with white sand, its mangroves and palms moving like a crowd of attentive listeners.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Book early
Only 200 visitors allowed on Contoy each day—reserve weeks in advance in high season to secure a spot.
Bring reef‑safe sunscreen
The park enforces reef protection; use biodegradable sunscreen to avoid harming coral and marine life.
Wear reef shoes
Shallow reefs and rocky shorelines mean protective footwear makes snorkeling and shoreline walks safer.
Carry local cash for dock tax
There’s a mandatory dock tax (about $20 USD) not included in the price—bring small bills to speed boarding.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- frigatebirds
- green sea turtles
History
Isla Contoy has long been recognized by local fishers; it became a national park in 1998 to protect its seabird colonies and reef habitats.
Conservation
Contoy’s strict visitor limit and guided tours aim to minimize human impact; visitors are asked to stay on paths, avoid disturbing nesting birds, and use reef‑safe products.
Select participants and date
Adventure Hotspots in Playa del Carmen
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Reef‑safe sunscreen
Protects your skin and the coral systems during snorkeling and beach time.
summer specific
Reef shoes or water sandals
Protect feet when entering shallow reefs and walking across coral rubble on shore.
summer specific
Light wind layer
Stops the chill on the open-deck catamaran during crossings.
winter specific
Dry bag (small)
Keeps phone, camera, and extra clothes dry during boat transfers.