Isla Mujeres & Snorkeling: Reef, Beach Club & Playa Norte

Two snorkel sites and a beach club lunch on Isla Mujeres, all in one day from Cancun

You're picked up from your Cancun hotel and taken by boat to Isla Mujeres for two snorkel sessions (one at Punta Sam reef, one at Playa Norte), with 45 minutes in the water each time and all gear provided. Between snorkels, you eat a buffet lunch at a beach club with an open bar, then spend two hours exploring the downtown town on foot. The whole day runs from early morning pickup through evening return, with hotel drop-off included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. North Beach1h
2. Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres snorkeling and exploration

• Pickup from hotel to Punta Sam marina
• Enjoy light breakfast and check-in
• Board boat and sail to Punta Sam reef
• Snorkel for 45 minutes with full gear
• Navigate around Isla Mujeres points
• Arrive at beach club for lunch and beach access
• Snorkel or relax at Playa Norte beach
• Explore Isla Mujeres downtown for two hours
• Return to marina with onboard party
• Transfer back to hotel or condo

The experience

"We don't take people to the same spots everyone else does," our guide said while handing out the snorkel gear at the marina. That stuck with me, and it's true. The day starts early, with pickup from your hotel between 7 and 9:10 depending on where you're staying (South Riviera Maya gets the earliest slot, Cancun hotel zone the latest). You head to Punta Sam Terminal, where there's coffee, pastries, fruit and juice waiting before you board. It's a small thing, but it sets the tone: this isn't rushed.

Once on the boat, the first snorkel happens at Punta Sam reef: 45 minutes with full National Geographic gear included, so you're not fumbling with borrowed equipment that doesn't fit. The water is clear enough that you see the reef structure, the fish moving through it, the whole thing. After that, the boat takes you along Isla Mujeres' shoreline, past the spots other tours skip (the Shelter Harbor and Punta Sur), before pulling into the beach club. This is where you get lunch: a buffet with tikinxic (local broiled fish marinated in spices), and an open bar that runs the whole day. You can swim in the pool or walk straight into the water from the beach. Two hours of free time means you're not eating and running.

The second snorkel is at Playa Norte, which is genuinely one of the clearest beaches you'll see: crystal water, white sand, the kind of place that looks like the postcard. You can snorkel again or just float. After that comes downtown Isla Mujeres, a Magic Town (one of only 111 in Mexico, apparently), with narrow streets, a waterfront, ice cream shops. Two hours to walk around, grab something, sit by the ocean. The ride back to Cancun includes music and drinks with the Caribbean Connection party staff. It's low-key, not forced. Drop-off is back at your hotel or condo by evening.

Weather can cancel the snorkeling on rough days, so that's worth knowing. The tour runs with a multilingual guide, and it's wheelchair accessible if that matters for your group. Bring a swimsuit and casual clothes. Everything else (the gear, the breakfast, the lunch, the drinks) is handled.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from most hotels in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya.
• light breakfast with coffee, pastries, fruit and juice at the marina.
• two snorkel sessions with sterilized National Geographic gear.
• 45 minutes at Punta Sam reef and time at Playa Norte.
• buffet lunch at the beach club with tikinxic broiled fish.
• unlimited domestic drinks throughout the day.
• two hours of free time in downtown Isla Mujeres.
• bottled water and refreshments.
• return transport to your hotel or condo by evening.

Options for this experience

4 options

Tour departing from the MarinaGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 09:45 and 11:30Without hotel pickup: Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Tour from CancunGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 08:00 and 11:00Pickup is included

Tour departing from Playa del CarmenGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 08:00 and 10:30Playa del Carmen & Puerto Morelos: Includes pickup from most hotels in Playa del Carmen & Puerto Morelos. Pickup is included

Tour departing from Riviera MayaGuide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · 07:30 and 10:00Pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day7 departure times: the first at 07:30, the last at 11:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

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

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendly

Operated by Contoy Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want snorkeling, a full meal and time to wander a real town: all without arranging your own boat, buying tickets separately or timing the pieces yourself. The fixed pickup and return mean you're not managing logistics. The two snorkel stops and open bar mean you're not paying extra along the way.

Traveler reviews

3.95★★★★★★★★★★

217 verified traveler reviews

5 ★130

4 ★19

3 ★22

2 ★19

1 ★27

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

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 time does the tour start?

Pickup from your hotel runs between 7:00 am and 9:10 am depending on location: South Riviera Maya and Tulum from 7:00–7:45 am, Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya from 7:45–8:30 am, and Cancun downtown and hotel zone from 8:30–9:10 am. You board the boat after breakfast at the marina.

Is snorkeling gear included?

Yes. Full National Geographic snorkeling gear is provided and sterilized for both snorkel stops. You don't need to bring your own.

What's included in the open bar?

Domestic drinks are included throughout the tour. Bottled water and refreshments are also provided.

How long do you spend snorkeling?

45 minutes at the first reef (Punta Sam), and another session at Playa Norte. You can snorkel or relax on the beach during the second stop.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Snorkeling may be cancelled depending on the day's weather and sea conditions. The tour operator will notify you if this occurs.

Can you visit downtown Isla Mujeres?

Yes. After the beach club and second snorkel, you have two hours of free time to explore downtown Isla Mujeres on your own or take a guided walk to Playa Norte.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are also wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

What should you bring?

Bring a swimsuit and casual clothes. Sunscreen and a towel are recommended. Everything else (breakfast, lunch, drinks, snorkel gear) is provided.