Snorkel Day, 8 Hours

This full-day outing from the Riviera Maya pairs a long stay on Isla Contoy with a short stop on Isla Mujeres.

Overview

Hotel pickup is included, and the day runs about 8 hours of activity, though travelers staying in Playa del Carmen should expect a longer door-to-door day because of shuttle transfers to the marina.

The shape of the day is straightforward. The boat heads for Contoy, with a brief flamingo viewing stop along the way. Once on the island you get roughly three hours: a guided walk, beach time, and a cooked lunch of grilled chicken or Tikin Xic style fish with rice, salad, totopos and fruit. Drinks include water, soft drinks and beer. A coffee break is included at some point in the day, and a snorkel session is part of the trip, weather permitting, before the boat moves on to Isla Mujeres for about an hour of free time.

It suits travelers who want the quiet, restricted-access side of the Caribbean rather than a party scene, and who do not mind a larger group, with up to 50 people on the tour. Reviews repeatedly praise the crew and the guiding.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupRound-trip transportation is included, with pickup points detailed at booking.
2. Coffee breakA coffee break is included somewhere in the day; the listing does not specify when it takes place.
3. Flamingo stopA 20-minute stop to view flamingos.
4. Parque Nacional Isla Contoy45 minutes at the park, followed by roughly 3 hours on Isla Contoy itself. This covers a guided walk, beach time and lunch.
5. Guided snorkellingSnorkelling is part of the day and depends on good conditions. If weather is unfavourable, the operator compensates with extra time on the islands.
6. Isla MujeresAbout 1 hour of free time on Isla Mujeres. Reviewers describe it as crowded compared with Contoy.
7. Return transferBoat back to the marina, then round-trip transportation returns you to your pickup point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in the listing and in traveler reviews, and they shape how the day feels.

• Sunscreen rules. Regular sunblock and mosquito repellent are not allowed on Contoy, and even biodegradable sunscreen harms the reef. Apply it at your hotel, on exposed skin only, before the water activities.
• What to pack. The listing asks for a towel, change of clothes, hat and sunglasses, comfortable shoes, a long-sleeve shirt and a swimsuit. Bring cash too, since cards are not accepted for souvenirs on the island.
• Group snorkelling. Snorkelling is guided, and more than one reviewer noted the current or waves can make it a demanding swim. Conditions sometimes cancel the snorkel altogether.
• Long transfers. Budget for a longer door-to-door outing.
• Food and drink. Lunch on Contoy is a highlight for many reviewers, with fresh fish or chicken, salad, rice and fruit, and beer among the included drinks. If you have dietary restrictions, it is worth raising them when booking.
• Island etiquette. Contoy is strictly protected: no touching coral or marine life, no sunscreen or repellent, and no smoking. Reviewers who respected the rules describe the island as peaceful and uncrowded.

Common issues. A government fee of US$20 per person is not included, and gratuities are extra. Snorkelling depends on weather, and when winds or currents are strong it is shortened or skipped, with extra island time offered instead. The tour carries up to 50 travelers. Playa del Carmen guests face long shuttle transfers, and one reviewer felt the time given at Isla Mujeres and for snorkelling was thin. Another reported that the vegetarian options fell well short of a full meal. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and is not recommended for travelers with back problems.

Common Questions