Snorkeling in Isla Mujeres from Cancun: Catamaran with Lunch

You'll see underwater statues at El Meco reef alongside schools of colorful fish.

A catamaran snorkeling tour from Cancun to Isla Mujeres combines reef exploration at El Meco, time at North Beach to swim and explore town, and lunch at a beach club with an open bar. The boat departs at 10 am from Playa Tortugas pier and returns in the late afternoon. Snorkeling equipment, a professional guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian, and all food and drinks are included. The seven-hour itinerary leaves room for a morning in town or an evening elsewhere, but requires a full midday commitment.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each3 stops

1. Playa Tortugas30m
2. North Beach2h
3. Isla Mujeres2h

Catamaran tour and Isla Mujeres visit

• Register at Playa Tortugas Pier
• Catamaran departs at 10 am
• Sail to El Meco reef for snorkeling
• Stop at Playa Norte for swimming
• Explore Isla Mujeres town center
• Visit exclusive beach club for buffet and drinks
• Sail back to Cancun with sunset views
• Enjoy spinnaker flight if wind allows

The experience

Registration opens at 9:30 am at the Playa Tortugas pier, and the catamaran leaves at 10 am. The boat sails first to El Meco reef, positioned between an archaeological site and Isla Mujeres, where you enter the water with snorkeling gear to see colorful fish and underwater statues. After that stop, the catamaran heads to Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres, where you can swim in shallow water or walk into the town center to explore shops and restaurants on your own time.

The afternoon moves to a beach club with bathrooms, showers and lounge chairs. A buffet of regional food and an open bar run through the rest of your time there, so you eat and drink without ordering or paying again. On the sail back to Cancun, you watch the sunset from the boat, and if the wind is strong enough, the crew raises the spinnaker: a large sail that catches the breeze and creates a moment most catamaran tours don't offer.

A professional guide travels with the group and speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. Snorkeling equipment is provided and fitted on board. The boat has restrooms, so you don't need to plan bathroom access around the stops.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and professional guide in multiple languages.
• lunch as a regional buffet and unlimited open bar at the beach club.
• restroom access on board.
• reef exploration at El Meco with time to swim at Playa Norte and explore Isla Mujeres town if you choose.

Information

Lasts 7h 15m, runs every day at 09:00 and 12:00, from US$ 1,050 per group, with live guides in 5 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 12:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate10 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and PortugueseOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.6 with pickup ›

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 10 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Joluga Catamaran´s

Is this one for you?Book this if you want everything in one trip (reef snorkeling, lunch, and time exploring Isla Mujeres) rather than coordinating separate activities.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese.

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 will I see when I snorkel at El Meco reef?

El Meco reef is home to colorful fish and underwater statues. The reef sits between the archaeological site of El Meco and Isla Mujeres, in water clear enough to see both the marine life and the carved figures on the seafloor.

Can I explore Isla Mujeres town during the tour?

Yes. After snorkeling, the catamaran stops at Playa Norte on Isla Mujeres, and you have the option to walk into the town center to browse shops, restaurants and the beach, or stay on the sand if you prefer.

Is the food included, or do I need to bring money for lunch?

Lunch is included as a buffet of regional food at the beach club, and the open bar runs throughout that stop, so no additional payment is needed for meals or drinks during the tour.

How long is the full tour, and what time does it end?

The tour runs seven hours from the 10 am departure at Playa Tortugas pier, returning to Cancun in the late afternoon. This leaves your morning free but requires the full midday and early evening.

What happens if the wind is strong during the return sail?

If conditions allow it, the crew raises the spinnaker (a large sail that catches strong wind), during the return to Cancun. This is offered when the wind is right, but is not guaranteed on every departure.