Isla Contoy & Isla Mujeres: Snorkeling & Beach Day from Cancun

Two Islands, One Boat, Lunch & Drinks Included

You board a catamaran at the Cancun marina with hotel pickup already handled, snorkel at Ixlache Reef with a guide and included gear, eat a Mayan-grilled lunch on Isla Contoy's beach, spend an hour exploring Isla Mujeres, and return on an open-bar boat with music and dancing. The whole day — transport, meals, drinks, equipment — is included, so you show up and the rest is arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Check in and enjoy refreshments
• Board high-speed catamaran
• Snorkel at Ixlache Reef
• Explore Isla Contoy nature trails
• Have Caribbean BBQ lunch
• Relax on Isla Contoy beach
• Travel to Isla Mujeres
• Shop and explore Isla Mujeres
• Enjoy cocktail on boat
• Party with open bar and music
• Return to marina

The Experience

"The boat leaves in twenty minutes — grab your coffee and find your cabin." That's how the morning starts at the marina in Cancun. You've already been picked up from your hotel (or from Puerto Morelos or Costa Mujeres if that's closer), and now you're standing on the dock with a cup of juice and a sweet roll in hand, watching the high-speed catamaran bob in the water. The crew runs through the day's plan — snorkeling first, then lunch on the island, then Isla Mujeres for shopping, then the party boat back. It's a lot, but it's all timed so nothing feels rushed.

The boat cuts across the Caribbean toward Ixlache Reef, the start of the Mesoamerican Reef system that runs down the coast. After about forty-five minutes you're in the water with a professional snorkel guide, a National Geographic-certified flotation vest, and new snorkel gear — the kind other tour companies charge extra for. You're looking at parrotfish, sergeant majors, and if you're lucky, a sea turtle drifting past. The reef is the real thing, not a tourist tank. Then the boat heads to Isla Contoy itself, a protected natural reserve with white sand and water so clear you can see the bottom from the boat. There's a Marine Museum on the island if you want it, nature trails if you don't, and an observatory if you want to climb.

Lunch happens on the beach — fresh fish prepared Mayan-style, charred over hardwood with secret spices, plus charbroiled chicken, rice, salad, fruit, and cold beer. You eat with your feet in the sand and the Caribbean in front of you. After that, it's back on the boat to Isla Mujeres for about an hour of wandering the town, hitting the shops, or just sitting on a different beach. When you board again, the bar opens. Rum, tequila, vodka, mixers, the music gets loud, and the upper deck becomes a dance floor for the ride back to Cancun. It's not subtle, but it works — by the time you're back at the marina, you've been on two islands, eaten twice, swum in a real reef, and had a drink with a view.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and round-trip transport from Cancun, Costa Mujeres, or Puerto Morelos.
• continental breakfast at the marina with juice, coffee, fruit, and sweet rolls.
• professional snorkel guide at Ixlache Reef.
• new snorkel equipment and National Geographic-certified flotation vest.
• forty-five minutes of snorkeling.
• access to Isla Contoy with Marine Museum and nature trails.
• Caribbean lunch with Mayan-grilled fish, charbroiled chicken, rice, salad, fruit, and vegetables.
• beer and soft drinks with lunch.
• one hour of free time on Isla Mujeres.
• open bar with rum, tequila, vodka, and mixers on the return boat.
• music and dancing on the upper deck during the return journey.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cancun Vacation Experts

Is this one for you?Book this if you want two islands, snorkeling, and a full meal in one day without arranging transport, equipment, or timing yourself — the catamaran schedule and included pickups mean you just show up at your hotel in the morning.

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Top questions

What time does the tour start and how long is the full day?

Check-in at the marina happens in the early morning. The full tour runs the entire day, returning to the marina in the late afternoon.

Is snorkel equipment included or do I have to rent it?

All snorkel gear, including a new snorkel tube and a certified flotation vest, is included at no extra cost.

What if I don't want to snorkel?

Snorkeling is the main activity at Ixlache Reef, but you can stay on the boat or in the water without gear if you prefer not to go under.

Is the food included?

Yes. Continental breakfast (juice, coffee, fruit, sweet rolls) at the marina, a full Caribbean lunch with Mayan-grilled fish and chicken on Isla Contoy, plus drinks throughout the day.

Can I bring my kids?

Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult during snorkeling, and a disclaimer must be signed. Infants can ride in a stroller or on an adult's lap.

Where does hotel pickup happen?

Round-trip transport is included from Cancun hotels, Costa Mujeres, and Puerto Morelos. Confirm your pickup location and time when you book.

What's the open bar like on the return?

Rum, tequila, vodka, and mixers are available as the boat returns to Cancun. The upper deck has music and dancing, but it's optional to participate.

How many people are on the boat?

The tour operates in small groups on a high-speed catamaran, though exact group size varies by departure.