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Cancun to Isla Mujeres: Catamaran, Snorkel & Beach Club Lunch

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/21

Duration8h

GroupUp to 40

LanguagesEN · ES

PickupAt your hotel

Catamaran cruise from Cancun to Isla Mujeres with reef snorkel, open bar and beach club lunch

You’ll sail from Cancun across turquoise waters on a shared catamaran day trip to Isla Mujeres—with snorkeling at El Meco Reef, open bar drinks onboard, and an international buffet lunch at a beach club. Enjoy free time exploring Playa Norte or wandering Isla Mujeres’ streets before heading back. Expect laughter, salt on your skin, and moments you’ll want to keep replaying later.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hotel pickup if booked
Start at Playa Tortugas Marina
Sail across Caribbean Sea
Snorkel at El Meco Reef
Relax and swim at Playa Norte
Enjoy lunch and open bar at beach club
Explore Isla Mujeres streets
Sail back to Cancun

The Experience

The first thing I noticed boarding the catamaran at Playa Tortugas was how everyone seemed half awake, sunglasses on, clutching coffee or water bottles. Our guide—Miguel, I think—had this way of making you feel like you’d known him for years. He pointed out the color of the water as we left Cancun behind, saying it’s always “different every morning.” I didn’t expect the breeze to be so warm already, or how quickly you forget about your phone when there’s sea spray in your face.

Snorkeling at El Meco Reef was a bit chaotic (in a good way). The water felt cooler than the air—kind of sharp against my skin at first. I kept losing track of which fish Miguel was naming, but there were flashes of yellow and blue everywhere. Someone next to me laughed through their snorkel when I tried to wave underwater. Afterward, they handed out little snacks—nothing fancy but somehow perfect with salty lips and wet hair.

When we got to Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres, it was almost too bright to look at the sand. We had time to just float or wander off; I ended up sitting near some locals playing cards under a palm tree. Lunch at the beach club was loud and messy (buffet lines always are), but the grilled fish tasted smoky and fresh. The open bar meant tequila for some people by noon—I stuck with cold soda because honestly, that sun is no joke. Walking around Isla Mujeres after lunch felt slow in a good way; shops painted in faded pastels, people calling out greetings in Spanish that I half-understood.

The sail back toward Cancun was quieter—everyone kind of sunk into their seats watching the coastline come back into focus. There was music playing somewhere behind me and someone asleep under a towel. It’s strange how fast a day trip like this goes; you remember little things more than anything else—the smell of sunscreen, salt drying on your skin, Miguel’s laugh when someone tried (and failed) to tie a sailor’s knot.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup if selected when booking, all snorkeling gear for El Meco Reef, bottled water and soft drinks throughout the journey plus an open bar with rum, tequila or whisky if you’re feeling festive. After snorkeling there’s a snack before arriving at Playa Norte where you get an international buffet lunch at a lively beach club—and plenty of time to wander or relax before sailing back toward Cancun in the late afternoon.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Boat Trips Club