Snorkeling in Cozumel: Three reefs, starfish sanctuary

Starfish live in two meters of water at El Cielo, and you wade straight to them.

Snorkel three reefs off Cozumel on a catamaran tour with certified English and Spanish-speaking guides. The boat takes you to Palancar Reef at seven meters deep where turtles and manta rays move through coral formations, then Columbia Reef at five meters for colorful fish and coral, then finishes at Playa El Cielo — a two-meter sanctuary of starfish in white sand where the water reaches your waist. The full outing runs five to six hours and includes snorkel gear, unlimited soft drinks and beer.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore reefs and sandbank in Cozumel

• Visit Columbia Reef, see coral and fish
• Explore Palancar Reef, spot turtles and manta rays
• Observe starfish at Playa El Cielo
• Relax at El Skylito sandbank waist-deep water
• Enjoy sunset on the catamaran

The Experience

The catamaran leaves with certified guides and heads to Palancar Reef first, where the depth reaches seven meters and the coral formations hold larger marine life. Spend thirty to thirty-five minutes there watching for turtles, manta rays and reef fish moving through the structures. The second stop is Columbia Reef at five meters, shallower but dense with colorful fish and coral variety — another thirty to thirty-five minutes in the water.

The final site is Playa El Cielo, which is not a reef but a starfish sanctuary in two meters of water. You wade in on white sand and the starfish are there on the bottom. This is where the boat stays for the remainder of the time, and the sunset happens on the return. Snorkel equipment is included, and soft drinks, beer and water flow the whole day.

What’s included

• Snorkel equipment and unlimited soft drinks, beer and water.
• certified guides in English and Spanish.
• three separate snorkel sites — two coral reefs and a starfish sanctuary — with thirty to thirty-five minutes at each reef stop.

Good to know

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

Operated by Excursiones Cozumel y Más

Is this one for you?Book this if you want shallow water and starfish in the same day as deeper reef snorkeling — Playa El Cielo's two-meter wading depth means you see the starfish without needing to descend, and the two deeper reefs give you coral and larger marine life in the same outing.

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Top questions

How deep is the water at each snorkel stop in Cozumel?

Palancar Reef runs seven meters deep with coral formations and larger fish; Columbia Reef is five meters with colorful reef fish; Playa El Cielo is only two meters, shallow enough to wade, where starfish rest on the sandy bottom.

What marine life will I see snorkeling off Cozumel?

Palancar Reef holds turtles, manta rays and reef fish among the coral; Columbia Reef shows colorful fish and coral formations; El Cielo is known for starfish in the shallow sand.

How long does the Cozumel snorkeling catamaran take?

The full outing runs five to six hours from departure to return, with roughly thirty to thirty-five minutes spent snorkeling at each of the first two reefs and the remaining time at Playa El Cielo before the sunset return.

What is included in the Cozumel catamaran snorkeling tour?

Snorkel equipment, unlimited soft drinks, unlimited beer and unlimited water are included; the guides are certified and speak English and Spanish.

Is the snorkeling in Cozumel suitable for beginners?

Playa El Cielo is only two meters deep and suitable for all swimming levels; the deeper reefs at five and seven meters are manageable for anyone comfortable in the water with snorkel gear, and certified guides are present throughout.