Isla Contoy & Isla Mujeres Snorkeling Tour from Playa del Carmen
Run by Ocean Tours Mexico
- Duration
- 8h
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Language
- Live guide: German, Russian, Portuguese, English, Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch
Getting to Isla Contoy requires a licensed tour — the island is a federal wildlife refuge and independent access is not permitted. Daily visitor numbers are officially capped, which is part of what makes it worth visiting in the first place. This tour runs from Playa del Carmen and covers both Contoy and Isla Mujeres in a single day, starting with a guided snorkel session over a Caribbean reef before the boat docks at either island.
Contoy Island sits at the northern tip of the Yucatan coast. The visitor cap keeps the beaches and water noticeably less crowded than the busier reef spots near Cancun. The island is a major nesting site for frigate birds and boobies, with dense colonies along the mangrove edge — the birdwatching is a legitimate secondary draw beyond the snorkel. The water on both sides of the island is shallow and easy to snorkel or wade in independently. A beachside lunch is included before the group boards back up.
The itinerary ends with approximately one hour on Isla Mujeres, the small island just off the coast from Cancun. That's enough time to walk the pedestrian strip, browse the craft market, or find a seat at a waterfront spot. For travelers working through things to do in Playa del Carmen or building out best day trips from Cancun, this Isla Contoy tour covers the harder island to reach while pairing it with an Isla Mujeres day trip on the same ticket. Rated 4.81/5 from 767 reviews. From $179 USD.
Contoy's daily visitor cap fills faster December through March, so book ahead and request a morning departure. Bring reef-safe sunscreen — chemical sunscreens are not permitted in Mexican marine protected areas. Water shoes help for varied beach entries. Snorkel gear is typically included on tours in this category; confirm at booking. If you're prone to motion sickness, the open-water stretch between islands can get choppy by early afternoon.
The daily visitor cap on Contoy is the real reason this tour holds up — you're snorkeling a federal wildlife refuge that genuinely stays quiet, not a reef that gets hammered by a hundred boats before noon. The Isla Contoy snorkeling tour from Playa del Carmen is one of the few ways to reach that island legally, and pairing it with Isla Mujeres on the same trip makes the logistics easy. Book a morning slot if you can — the water on the reef tends to be clearest before the afternoon wind picks up.
Included
- Lunch (grilled chicken or Tikin Xic fish, rice, totopos, salad, fresh fruit)
- Water, soft drinks, and beer
- Bilingual certified guide
- Round-trip hotel transfer
- Coffee break
Not included
- Tips and gratuities
- Government-levied fees
- 1Morning Coffee Break
The day opens with a light pre-departure snack — juice, banana, coffee, and cookies.
20 minAdmission included - 2Reef Snorkel
A guide takes the group to a coral reef site for a 45-minute snorkel among reef fish and coral formations. This stop is subject to weather and water conditions; if snorkeling is not viable, extra time is added at the islands.
45 minFree admission - 3Contoy Island Nature Reserve
Contoy Island is a protected federal nature reserve known for its large seabird colonies and flat, clear water. The shallow conditions suit snorkeling and swimming, and no sunscreen or insect repellent is permitted on the island.
3hFree admission - 4Isla Mujeres Free Time
The final stop gives 60 unstructured minutes on Isla Mujeres to walk the main streets, browse local shops, or pick up food from a vendor. Bring cash — card payment is not accepted at most stops.
1hFree admission
Hotel pickup is included. After booking, the operator will contact you to confirm your specific pickup time and location. Guests at private residences, hostels, or B&Bs will be collected at or near their property, or directed to the closest meeting point. Approximate pickup windows: Tulum ~6:00 AM; Riviera Maya and Playa del Carmen 7:00–7:40 AM; Cancun 8:00–8:40 AM.
To qualify for a full refund, cancel no later than 24 hours before your scheduled departure. Requests submitted within that final 24-hour period are non-refundable.
Standard policy — partial or full refund depending on timing
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
- Viator4.5 · 70
- Tripadvisor4.8 · 756
- Strollers and prams are permitted for infants and young children
- Infant car seats provided on request
- Not suitable for guests with back or spinal conditions
- Not suitable for guests with cardiovascular conditions
- No particular fitness level required
- What to bring:
- Towel
- Change of clothes
- Hat and sunglasses
- Comfortable footwear
- Long-sleeve shirt
- Swimsuit
- Do not touch coral or any marine life at snorkel stops.
- Sunscreen and insect repellent are banned on Contoy Island.
- Bring cash for food and souvenirs — card payment is not accepted.
- Smoking is prohibited on Contoy Island.
- Snorkel activities depend on weather and sea conditions. If conditions are poor, the guide substitutes extended island time instead.
- All sunscreen — including biodegradable options — can damage coral and marine life. Apply it to exposed skin before leaving your hotel, not at the water.
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Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
