Isla Contoy & Isla Mujeres: Snorkeling tour with lunch

Summary

Snorkel reefs, taste fresh barbecue, and wander Isla Mujeres streets

You’ll snorkel vibrant reefs at Isla Contoy National Park, enjoy a barbecue lunch with open bar under palm trees, then explore lively Isla Mujeres at your own pace. With hotel pickup and a bilingual guide included, it’s an easygoing day full of Caribbean flavors and moments you’ll remember long after you’ve rinsed off the salt.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect the boat ride from Playa del Carmen to feel so… alive. There was this salty breeze that kept tangling my hair, and someone near us was already laughing over their first drink from the open bar (it was barely 10am — vacation rules, I guess). Our guide, Luis, pointed out pelicans gliding low over the water as we neared Isla Contoy. He said only a handful of people get to visit each day because it’s a protected reserve. That made it feel kind of special — like we’d lucked into something.

The snorkeling at Isla Contoy was wild — not just the colors under the water (which were unreal), but also how warm and soft the sand felt when I finally flopped back onto shore. The reef here is part of the Mesoamerican barrier system; Luis mentioned it’s actually the second largest in the world. I tried to remember all the fish names he rattled off but honestly just ended up floating and watching sunlight flicker through turquoise water. Lunch was a barbecue on the island — smoky chicken and fish, plus cold beer if you wanted it. There was this faint smell of coconut sunscreen everywhere, mixed with grilled meat. Not bad at all.

After that we headed to Isla Mujeres. The vibe totally changed — suddenly there were scooters buzzing by and shopkeepers waving from colorful doorways. We had free time to wander or just sit on the beach (I did both). I bought a little woven bracelet after trying to haggle in Spanish — not my finest moment linguistically but the woman selling them smiled anyway. On the way back to Cancun, everyone seemed sun-tired and happy. I still think about that stretch of quiet on deck as we left Isla Mujeres behind.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Snorkeling and Island Visits

• Snorkel at second largest reef
• Free time at Isla Contoy
• Free time at Isla Mujeres

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Isla Contoy & Isla Mujeres tour?

Yes, round-trip transportation from your hotel is included.

Do I need snorkeling experience for this day trip?

No prior experience is required; guides will assist during snorkeling.

Is lunch provided during the tour?

Yes, a buffet barbecue lunch is served on Isla Contoy along with an open bar.

How much free time do we get on Isla Mujeres?

You’ll have free time to relax on the beach or explore shops in town.

Are there any health restrictions for joining?

This tour isn’t recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal or heart issues.

Are photographic services included?

No, photography services are not included but may be available for purchase separately.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel transfers from Cancun or Playa del Carmen, all boat transportation between islands, guided reef snorkeling in Isla Contoy’s reserve waters, a buffet barbecue lunch with open bar on board and on land, plus plenty of free time to explore or relax at both destinations before heading back in the afternoon.