Snorkeling Isla Mujeres: El Meco reef and catamaran lunch

El Meco's underwater museum and the Caribbean's second-largest reef in one morning

A full-day catamaran snorkeling tour from Isla Mujeres includes two reef stops (the archaeological site of El Meco and Playa Norte) with meals, open bar and hotel pickup and return. You snorkel at El Meco's underwater sculptures and the second-largest reef in the world, then have free time to walk Isla Mujeres' beaches and streets before sailing back with music and drinks.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sail, snorkel, explore Isla Mujeres

• Set sail from Marina Cancun
• Snorkel at El Meco archaeological site
• Enjoy free time at Isla Mujeres
• Relax with open bar and music
• Return to hotel

The experience

The boat leaves the marina in Cancun and heads straight to El Meco, where you'll do your first snorkel in waters above finger sculptures and the second-largest reef in the world. The archaeological site sits underwater, so the reef and the history are the same stop. After El Meco, the catamaran sails to Isla Mujeres, where you get free time to walk the streets, swim at Playa Norte's white sand beaches and pick up souvenirs before the return journey.

Meals come aboard: homemade pasta, fresh baguette with turkey ham, salad or fruit and dessert. The open bar runs throughout the day, and the boat has air conditioning. The 6-hour experience includes the entrance fee to El Meco and the ride back to your hotel, so the only thing you arrange is showing up at the marina. Three service levels exist (Low Cost, Full Experience and Maximum Privilege) each one a choice at checkout, so confirm which one you're booking before you pay.

Book at least a day ahead. Last-minute slots fill fast. The tour needs a minimum number of passengers to run, so if weather cancels the day or the group doesn't meet the threshold, you'll get an alternative date or a full refund. Provide your hotel address within 24 hours of booking, or a set meeting point will be assigned instead.

What’s included

• Homemade pasta and fresh baguette with turkey ham.
• salad or fruit and dessert.
• soft drinks and sodas via the open bar.
• entrance fee to El Meco Archaeological Zone.
• hotel pickup and return.
• air-conditioned seating on board.

Options for this experience

3 options

Low Cost Isla MujeresGuide in 6 languages · 10:00 and 12:30Snorkeling and spinnaker sailing, subject to weather conditions. Port tax is not included. Lasts 7 hours. Buffet lunch at the beach club with national open bar. Transportation is included. Children aged 5 to 11 pay only a 20 USD dock fee. Pickup is included.

Full Experience on Isla MujeresGuide in 6 languages · 5 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 14:30Snorkeling, activity subject to weather conditions. Full Experience lasting 5 hours. Premium open bar and lunch on board: pasta, baguette (homemade bread with turkey ham and cheese), salad, fruit and dessert. Also includes port tax and 90 minutes of free time on the island. Pickup is included.

Maximum PrivilegeGuide in 6 languages · 10:00 and 12:30Snorkeling: 30 minutes in the water, depending on weather conditions, aboard a luxury catamaran. Lasts 7 hours, including a 5-hour tour plus transfer. Buffet lunch at an exclusive beach club and a privilege open bar with rum, tequila, vodka, beer, whiskey, red wine and fresh fruit. Includes port tax, towels and express check-in. Pickup is included.

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

Information

Lasts 6h, runs every day, 5 start times, from US$ 123 per person, with live guides in 6 languages and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: 08:30, 10:00, 11:30, 12:30 and 14:30Another time? ›

GroupUp to 33

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

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to18h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (5 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 4 years): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Ni Lo Pienses Tour

Is this one for you?Choose the Full Experience or Maximum Privilege option if you want premium meals and drinks throughout the day. The Low Cost version covers the snorkeling, reef access and basic meals but skips the port taxes and some bar upgrades, so compare what each tier includes before you book.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (1 to 4 years): free.

What is El Meco and why is it a snorkeling stop?

El Meco is an underwater archaeological site where you snorkel above finger sculptures submerged in the reef. The site sits in the second-largest reef system in the world, so the history and the marine life are in the same water.

What meals and drinks are included on the boat?

Lunch includes homemade pasta, fresh baguette with turkey ham, salad or fruit and dessert. The open bar runs all day and covers soft drinks and sodas. The specific beverages depend on which service level you choose at checkout.

Do you need to arrange your own transport to the marina?

Hotel pickup and return are included, so the boat will collect you from your hotel and bring you back at the end of the day. Provide your hotel address within 24 hours of booking.