Snorkeling Isla Contoy: Ixlache Reef with lunch included

Dive into Ixlache Reef and emerge on an almost deserted island beach

Snorkel at Ixlache Reef off Isla Contoy, a protected national park and bird sanctuary in the Mexican Caribbean, with a live guide in English or Spanish, snorkel equipment, and lunch with drinks included. The tour caps at 200 guests per day, keeping the island and reef from feeling crowded. Depending on your departure point (Isla Mujeres, Cancun, Costa Mujeres, or Playa del Carmen), you may add a stop in Isla Mujeres for shopping and walking. An environmental tax of $10 USD per person, paid in cash on the day of your tour, covers dock use and park access.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Isla Contoy40m
2. Isla Mujeres1h

Snorkel, beach, lunch, and shopping

• Snorkel at Ixlache Reef
• Enjoy beach and lunch at Isla Contoy
• Stop at Isla Mujeres for walk and shopping

The experience

The boat leaves from your chosen departure point (Isla Mujeres, Cancun, Costa Mujeres, or Playa del Carmen), and heads to Ixlache Reef, where you enter the water with snorkel gear already fitted. The reef sits in shallow, clear water where you'll see grouper, snapper, parrotfish and other species moving through the coral. Weather permitting, you spend the morning in the water, then head to Isla Contoy itself for the afternoon.

Isla Contoy is a protected national park and bird sanctuary with no permanent residents: the island stays almost empty even though it's a day-trip destination. You walk the beach, swim in the shallows, and hike to a viewpoint overlooking the island and the water beyond. Lunch arrives at midday: fresh food with bottled water, soft drinks and beer included. The island is smoke-free and no sunblock or insect repellent is permitted in the water (apply both at your hotel before departure to protect the coral and marine life).

If you're departing from Cancun or the Mayan Riviera, the itinerary adds a stop in Isla Mujeres for shopping and walking before or after the main day. The whole outing runs five to seven hours depending on your starting point. A live guide leads the group in English or Spanish. Bring a towel and cash for souvenirs or tips. The environmental tax is paid separately on the day of your tour.

What’s included

• Snorkel equipment and a guided reef snorkel at Ixlache Reef.
• access to Isla Contoy National Park beach and hiking trails.
• lunch with bottled water, soft drinks and beer (for departures from Cancun, Costa Mujeres, Mayan Riviera or Playa del Carmen).
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• a stop in Isla Mujeres for shopping and walking if you depart from Cancun or the Mayan Riviera.

Options for this experience

3 options

Tour departing from Isla MujeresGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30Meeting point: go to the Black Pearl dock downtown, behind the Perla Negra Store, at dock number 3

Departing from Cancun and Costa MujeresGuide in English or Spanish · 08:30Round-trip transportation is included: we will contact you one day ahead to confirm your pickup time, since it may vary depending on your hotel's location. Pickup is included

Departing from the Mayan Riviera and PlayaGuide in English or Spanish · 07:30Round-trip transportation is included: we will contact you one day ahead to confirm your pickup time, since it may vary depending on your hotel's location. Pickup 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 dayDepartures at 07:30 and 08:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

GroupUp to 30

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.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 10

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Isla Fun Tours

Is this one for you?Book from Isla Mujeres if you want the shortest travel time to the reef and island. Choose Cancun, Costa Mujeres, Playa del Carmen or the Mayan Riviera if you want hotel pickup and a stop in Isla Mujeres included in your day. The 200-guest daily cap means you'll snorkel and beach without the crowds that larger operators bring to the same reef.

Traveler reviews

4.77★★★★★★★★★★

22 verified traveler reviews

5 ★20

4 ★0

3 ★1

2 ★1

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): 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 will I see when I snorkel at Ixlache Reef?

Ixlache Reef holds grouper, snapper, parrotfish and other reef fish in shallow, clear water where you can see the coral structure and the species moving through it. The reef sits in a protected area, so the marine life is healthy and abundant.

Is snorkel equipment provided, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkel equipment is included in the tour price. Bring a towel and wear reef-safe clothing in the water. Sunblock and insect repellent are not permitted on the island itself to protect the coral and marine life.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my tour?

The snorkel portion is weather permitting. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you'll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Does the tour include food and drinks?

Lunch, bottled water, soft drinks and beer are included if you book from Cancun, Costa Mujeres, the Mayan Riviera or Playa del Carmen. Bring cash for any souvenirs or tips you want to leave.

How many people go on this tour?

The tour is limited to 200 guests per day across all departures, which keeps Isla Contoy and the reef from feeling crowded compared to other snorkeling trips in the area.

Do I need to pay anything extra on the day of the tour?

An environmental tax of $10 USD per person covers dock use and national park access. Pay it in cash when you arrive for your departure.