Private Boat to El Cielo & Cozumel Reefs: Snorkel at your pace

El Cielo's seabed is carpeted with starfish you can walk among in waist-deep water.

A private boat tour from Cozumel's Money Bar Beach Club to El Cielo and the coral reefs of Colombia and Palancar, where you snorkel at your own pace for four hours. The boat holds up to 15 passengers depending on the option you choose, and you set how long to spend at each stop. Fresh ceviche, fruit, drinks and snorkeling gear are included. The crew handles the details while you decide the itinerary.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Palancar Reef20m · entry included
2. Playa El Cielo1h 30m
3. Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park1h 50m · entry included

Private boat tour to reefs and El Cielo

• Depart from Money Bar Beach Club
• Snorkel at Colombia and Palancar reefs
• Visit and swim at El Cielo bay
• Sail and snorkel at Cozumel Reefs National Marine Park
• Return to Money Bar Beach Club

The experience

You board at Money Bar Beach Club and head straight to the reefs. Colombia and Palancar are among Cozumel's best snorkeling sites: coral formations rise from the seafloor in shapes that draw schools of tropical fish, sea turtles and rays. The water is clear enough to see the whole reef structure, and because you're on a private boat, you can spend an extra hour at one reef or move on after thirty minutes. The crew stays with you, ready to adjust the route based on what you want to see.

El Cielo comes next: a shallow bay where the seabed is dotted with starfish and the water stays so clear and calm that it reads like a giant natural pool. You can wade in waist-deep, snorkel, or float without the reef work of the earlier stops. The contrast between the two kinds of snorkeling (deep reef structure versus shallow starfish beds) is what makes the day move. Seasonal fresh fruit, ceviche with corn chips, and drinks (beer, margaritas, rum punch, sodas, water) arrive on board. Alcoholic drinks come after snorkeling ends.

The boat returns to Money Bar, where you can stay and use the beach club's facilities if the day still has light. Snorkeling equipment is provided. Rough seas occasionally force El Cielo to shift to an alternative site, though the reefs stay available. The crew speaks English and Spanish. A guide leads the tour, and the group size depends on which option you book: either a smaller private group or a larger shared boat, both departing from the same beach club.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• seasonal fresh fruit, fresh fish ceviche and corn chips.
• bottled water, sodas, beer, margaritas and rum punch.
• access to Money Bar Beach Club facilities.
• live guide in English or Spanish.

Options for this experience

3 options

Zafiro (for 1 to 5 passengers)Up to 5 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 10:00 and 14:30

Zafiro (for 6 to 8 passengers)Up to 8 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 10:00 and 14:30

Ausente (for 1 to 15 passengers)Up to 15 per booking · Guide in English or Spanish · 10:00 and 14:30For 1 to 15 passengers

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 dayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:30

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go 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$ 23

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for back problems

Operated by Top Cozumel Tours

Is this one for you?Book the smaller group if you want the boat to yourself with no schedule constraints. Choose the larger group if you're joining other travelers and prefer to split costs.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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 Palancar and Colombia reefs?

Palancar and Colombia reefs hold coral formations with schools of tropical fish, sea turtles and rays in clear water. The reefs are among Cozumel's most visited snorkeling sites because the coral structures and marine life are visible from the surface.

Is El Cielo really shallow enough to wade through?

El Cielo is a shallow bay where the water stays waist-deep in most areas, making it possible to wade and snorkel without diving. The seabed is covered with starfish, and the calm, clear water makes it suitable for all ages and swimming levels.

Can I choose how long to spend at each stop?

Yes. Because the boat is private, you set the pace at each reef and at El Cielo. You can snorkel longer at one site or move on after a shorter time, and the crew adjusts the route to match what your group wants to do.

What food and drinks are included?

The tour includes seasonal fresh fruit, fresh fish ceviche with corn chips, bottled water, sodas, beer, margaritas and rum punch. Alcoholic drinks are served after the snorkeling portion of the day ends.

What happens if the weather turns rough?

Occasionally strong winds create rough seas that can affect El Cielo, in which case the tour moves to an alternative snorkeling site. The reefs remain available regardless of conditions.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

No. Snorkeling equipment is provided as part of the tour. You'll need basic swimming skills to snorkel, and the minimum age for snorkeling is 8 years old.