Snorkeling and Fishing from Holbox: Cabo Catoche

Fish the morning shallows, snorkel the afternoon reefs where manta rays drift past.

A full-day snorkeling and fishing tour from Holbox to Cabo Catoche, a semi-inhabited island at the junction of two seas, with a local fishing guide, boat transport, snorkeling gear and a fresh fish ceviche made from the day's catch. The island is reachable only by boat, and the tour includes private transportation from your hotel, bottled water and soda, and a live guide in English or Spanish. Children from age 3 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Fishing and snorkeling at Cabo Catoche

• Go fishing with local guides
• Learn ancient fishing techniques
• Experience marine life encounters
• Snorkel at Cabo Catoche nature reserve
• Observe catsharks and manta rays

The experience

If you're staying in Holbox without a car, or you have a free afternoon and want to get beyond the island's beaches, this tour solves the logistics: private pickup from your hotel, a boat ride to Cabo Catoche (reachable no other way), and a full day with a local fishing captain and guide who know where the fish are and what the reef holds. The boat leaves early enough to hit the best fishing grounds while the water is calm.

The morning is fishing. You'll work the shallows with your guide using hand lines and the techniques local captains have used for years: casting for sea bass, grouper, snapper and other small to medium fish. Dolphins often appear in these waters, and the guide shares what to watch for. Whatever you catch becomes lunch: the crew prepares it as a fresh ceviche right there on the island, served with a cold beer. The fishing itself is the point. You're not watching someone else work.

After lunch, you move to the snorkeling sites: marine reserves with underwater caves and reefs where the water is clear enough to see what lives below. Manta rays, catsharks, seahorses, parrotfish and starfish are common. The guide points out what to look for and stays with the group. All snorkeling gear is provided. The return boat ride back to Holbox gives you time to dry off before the evening.

What’s included

• Private hotel pickup and return boat transport to Cabo Catoche.
• a local fishing guide and captain for the morning session.
• use of all snorkeling equipment.
• the fresh fish ceviche prepared from your catch.
• a cold beer with lunch.
• bottled water and soda throughout the day.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to8h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Child (3 to 17 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 43 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Xtreme holbox island

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're staying in Holbox without a car: the private pickup and boat transport mean you don't arrange the crossing yourself, and the full day keeps you away from the island's main beaches. It also works well for a first visit to Cabo Catoche if you want both fishing and snorkeling in one trip rather than choosing between them.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 17 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What fish will I actually catch on this snorkeling and fishing tour from Holbox?

The guides target sea bass, grouper, snapper, blonde, chac chi and mojarra: small to medium-sized fish that are abundant in Cabo Catoche's shallows. What you catch that day becomes your ceviche lunch.

How do I get to Cabo Catoche from Holbox?

Cabo Catoche is a boat-only destination, accessible only from Holbox by water. The tour includes private transportation from your hotel to the Holbox dock and the boat ride to the island.

What marine life might I see while snorkeling at Cabo Catoche?

The snorkeling sites are marine reserves with reefs and underwater caves where manta rays, catsharks, seahorses, parrotfish, starfish and many species of fish are common. Your guide will point out what to look for.

Is snorkeling gear provided, or do I need to bring my own?

All snorkeling equipment is included in the tour. You don't need to bring or rent gear separately.

What's included in the ceviche lunch?

The ceviche is made from the fish you catch that morning. It's prepared fresh on the island and served with a cold beer, along with bottled water and soda throughout the day.