We loved our boat trip to isla contoy and isla mujeres. Victor, willy wonka and the rest of the crew were great fun. The weather took a turn after isla contoy so we didn't explore much at mujeres but also only had 1 hr there so we ate in luna which was also nice. After getting back on the boat back to the port there was a sax player which was a nice end to the trip and picked everyone's spirits up after a long day. Thank u for the adventure ✨️
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- Two and a half hours at Contoy island including a tour with a Certified Guide
- One-hour visit to Isla Mujeres Downtown and walking to Playa Norte beach (optional)
- Light breakfast and sterilized snorkeling gear
- Buffet lunch (vegetarian options available)
- Roundtrip transportation from most hotels in Cancun and Playa del Carmen choosing the correct option
- Stop at Ixlache Reef for a 30-minute snorkeling (activity for adults depending on the weather)
- Open bar (water, soft drinks, beer and cocktails)
Excludes
- Dock fee and Federal Tax
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- Traveler pick up offered
Itinerary
Join us in this eco-adventure snorkeling tour to the only virgin island in the Mexican Caribbean the national park and ecological reserve of Contoy Island. Experience its unique flora and fauna with our certified bilingual guides, and snorkel at the scenic Ixlache reef which marks the start of the 2nd largest reef barrier in the world. This also includes a gastronomic experience during lunch, the famous Tikinxic fish will be served, fresh out of the water, broiled and marinated in local spices along with grilled chicken, salad and your favorite drink, an open domestic bar is also included in the tour (soft drinks, beer and cocktails). Before Contoy Island we will make a 45 minute stop in downtown Isla Mujeres, this is the perfect time for souvenirs or just walking around in it's beautiful "malecon". After lunch in Contoy, expect a very joyfull return to Cancun with our fantastic crew!
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
Great experience. The views at Isla Contoy were like no other. Water was crystal clear, the bluest water i have seen. Great opportunity for pictures. Boat was comfortable and hosts were great.
It was the most beautiful thing my eyes I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to go back again. The color of the water was amazing
Good, but long boat journey. Spectacular scenery at contoy
Contoy is absolutely beautiful. The trip was very well organised with a brief stop at Mujeres. Isla Contoy is like paradise. So glad we booked this trip one to remember. A special thank you to Rolando and the rest of the crew. You must book this trip!!!
This is a great trip for people who enjoy a guided boat tour, with stops in Isla Mujeres, Ixlache reef (to snorkel) and Isla Contoy. Isla Contoy is beautiful and peaceful. The only thing we found missing a little bit is clear information about sunscreen use and insect repellant. Both were not very appreciated by the crew on the boat (and of course we understand that conserving our ecosystems is important) and even taken away from guests while visiting the reef.
There were so many whale sharks, Probably around 60! Our captain Julian and guide Nae were wonderful. We had a great time swimming with them!
Very fun crew. Music was great, snorkeling was great. Fun for all ages. Ulisis was a great host. Our whole family had a great time and I would do this again.
The island was beautiful but please ensure they charge you correctly at the port. I paid for my excursion in full but when we got to the dock they were supposed to only charge us an additional 20 per person and they charged me 30 per person in Mexico peso and we never noticed the 20 EXTRA charge. I called them and after weeks of going back and forth showing them the receipt and the purchased document they reimbursed me the 20 dollar different. i know it not a lot but at this point consider it a donation to Mexico.
This excursion is a must do if you come to Cancun. Snorkeling was good and would have been better if wasn’t windy. The island was beautiful
Pro: + the organization was very good + the crew was nice especially to the kids (2 and 4 years) + the nature was respected as much as possible + the food and drinks where good + the trip was really nice for the whole family Con: - the snorkeling was ok. Not spectacular but also good organized just not breathtaking. Do the trip for island Contoy and the nice boat trip
The snorkeling is very short and not relaxing as you need to keep moving the whole time with the tour guide. You cannot venture or swim on your own. Rules are very strict and any deviation can land you in “boat jail”. Not to mention that every single tourist and tour company in Cancun are at the same spot… there must have been hundreds of people snorkeling. It is so bad that the tour guide lost my girlfriend in the big shuffle. I had to point it out to them so that they would not leave her behind. I found this unacceptable from a safety standpoint. Isla Mujeres is a giant gift shop… a complete waste of time from a cultural standpoint. You will hear more English and see more tourists here than anywhere else. Contoy Island is the main attraction and what a disappointment it was. We only got to spend 2 hours on the island and they have extremely strict rules. For starters, the area of the island you are allowed to walk on is very limited. You can only walk around with your tour guide and the walking tour is less than 15 minutes by foot. Yes, the island is very beautiful, but it felt to me like I was in a beautiful cage as I was not allowed to do much except stay in the little beach area by the boat dock. I did bring my camera gear to photograph exotic bird species as the tour advertises 700+ bird species on the island. We counted 4. For the price you pay, and the time you spend going to and back from Contoy island this tour is absolutely not worth it. All tour guides were very nice, friendly and really funny. They kept the energy very positive throughout the tour and really put a lot of effort to make sure everyone was either very well hydrated or drunk or both. A note about the speakers on the boat, they are awful and loud… high notes pierced my ears as if they were being stabbed. Thank God I had an extra pair of ear plugs to put on. The playlist was good and fun… I am just referring to the loudness of the speakers… they were extremely loud to the point of not being able to have a conversation with the person next to you.
We had a wonderful experience. Our guide was great!The island is gorgeous. I really recommend this trip
We have chose this tour to make snorkeling When you chose this activity it's not indicate that it's not possible to make snorkeling if you are more than 60 years old and it's not indicate in the condition when you pay Only when you are on the boat the guide inform you but it's to late.. It must be writen in the conditions before to pay Don't chose this activity if you are more than 60 and you want to make snorkeling
The tour was all day, leaving from the north of Cancun very early in the morning and returning around 6:00 p.m. The visit to Isla Mujeres is about 50 minutes. It gives you time to get to know the beach and see the craft street. Then we leave for Contoy. Since the sea was not in good condition, it was not possible to snorkel but they say you can see everything. On the island you have a food buffet included with the tour and free time on the island and before leaving you are given a guide around the island, in our case in Spanish but it was available in other languages. Very good disposition from the entire Contoy Aventures team. I highlight the work of the photographer who was available at all times.
My dad and I went there as it was the tour guide highly recommended it and said it was the best tour in Mexico. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. The total was 300 us for two with a 40 dollar tax on top. We were misled and made to believe we could still snorkel after hurricane Helene- but there was no visibility. After a 1.5h drive and a 1.5 hour boat ride, we arrived at the island. The island was destroyed due to hurricane Helene so the museum was non functioning. My dad and I were afraid to eat the lunch because of how uncleanly the island was. The wildlife was cool but other than that it was an extremely long day. There was extremely loud Mexican music for ten straight hours- people were additionally vomiting from the boat ride. We then went to Isla mujures. If you are interested in vendors, this is the place for you. Since they can’t be found in the beaches of Cancun they can be found here. Pretty decent place with restaurants. The commute back was extremely lengthy. The whole day was about 10hrs. We felt like we were scammed and misled due to the actual condition of the island. Wouldn’t recommend.
Visiting Isla Contoy with my family was an extraordinary and peaceful escape into nature. Known as one of Mexico’s hidden gems, this tiny island is a protected national park, and we were excited to experience its untouched beauty and vibrant wildlife. Getting There We booked a boat tour from Cancun, and the journey to Isla Contoy was as enjoyable as the destination itself. The boat ride took about an hour, and along the way, we saw stunning turquoise waters and even spotted a few dolphins. The crew on our tour was friendly, providing snacks and interesting facts about the island and the surrounding sea. First Impressions When we arrived at Isla Contoy, it felt like we had entered a different world. The island is uninhabited and undeveloped, which gives it an incredibly pristine and tranquil atmosphere. The white sandy beaches, clear waters, and lush greenery created the perfect backdrop for a family day of exploring and relaxing. It was clear from the moment we stepped off the boat that this place is all about conservation and appreciating nature. Wildlife and Nature Exploration One of the highlights of Isla Contoy is the abundant wildlife. We started our day with a guided tour around the island, and the guide pointed out various bird species — Isla Contoy is famous for being a bird sanctuary. We saw pelicans, frigatebirds, and even a few flamingos. The kids loved watching the birds up close and learning about the ecosystem of the island. We also walked along the well-marked trails through the island’s mangroves, which gave us a chance to see more of the island’s flora and fauna. The landscape was stunning, and the variety of wildlife made the walk both educational and exciting for the whole family. Snorkeling and Beach Time The snorkeling experience around Isla Contoy was one of the most memorable parts of the trip. The shallow coral reefs just off the shore were teeming with colorful fish, and the clear waters made it easy to spot marine life. Our guide took us to the best spots, and we were lucky enough to see rays and sea turtles. For the kids, snorkeling in such vibrant waters was a real adventure, and the calm seas made it safe and fun for everyone. After snorkeling, we spent time relaxing on the beach. The soft white sand and the crystal-clear water were perfect for unwinding. Unlike many other tourist-heavy destinations, Isla Contoy’s beaches were peaceful and uncrowded, allowing us to fully enjoy the natural surroundings. Conservation Focus One thing that stood out during our visit was how well the island is preserved. Only a limited number of tourists are allowed to visit each day, and there are strict rules in place to protect the environment. This made us feel like we were contributing to the island's conservation efforts by respecting the guidelines, and it gave us a deeper appreciation for the importance of preserving such special places. Final Thoughts Visiting Isla Contoy with my family was an unforgettable experience. The island’s natural beauty, combined with the opportunity to explore wildlife in such an unspoiled environment, made it the perfect destination for a day of adventure and relaxation. It’s a great spot for families who want to connect with nature and experience a more peaceful side of the Mexican Caribbean. If you're planning a trip, I highly recommend booking in advance, as the limited number of visitors ensures the island stays pristine. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of curiosity because Isla Contoy is a place that will leave you and your family with lasting memories of a true island paradise.
I went with Miguel, Jesús, and Marco. They were great hosts and full of fascinating information! Poor Miguel even cleaned up when I had motion sickness. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone who cares about conservation!
The tour looked so promising but our whole group was very disappointed. For some reason, they refused to pick us up from our hotel lobby and asked us to walk 25 minutes at 6 am to make it in time for our shared pickup. We had the same fight when we got dropped off at 8.45 pm. Left a bad taste. All other guests were picked up from their hotel lobby. The staff is nice - they kept the music on and energy up. The other thing that bothered us was that the Snorkeling portion of the trip was only 20 minutes. Thats it. It was a “guided tour” and we made one loop on the reef and came back to the boat. There was no time to explore independently. The reef was amazing and we wanted more time but not possible. Isla Contoy is a beautiful pristine island, but there is no where to go on it because it is a protected island. It’s a beautiful white sand beach without a reef so no snorkeling potential. But the team put together a really nice lunch. The 1 hour stop in isla mujeres feels very rushed. The boat tour started around 10 am and ended at 6pm. In the end we spent more time on the boat, and getting places. It just wasn’t for us.
If you are staying at Bahia Principe - don’t choose this tour - they don’t pick up at the hotel. They pick up every other hotel but apparently not this one. And for what reason I don’t know. If you are expecting to snorkel - well that will be for about 20 minutes - totally rushed and without a moment to enjoy the beautiful reefs. There are too many people on the boat. More time spent traveling. The Isla Mujeres shopping is just a gimmick. This is NOT a snorkeling tour. At best it’s a taxi on the ocean. Saving grade is the beautiful blue ocean. That’s all.
Nice boat and Contoy island is great for its beach and wild fauna in the area. Team was professional
Music on boat too loud and annoying. Weird beverage served on boat- tasted like warm, fake Tang? No one warned us about age 60 age limit for snorkeling until we were at sea. That’s ridiculous as I am a much better swimmer than many of those I observed snorkeling. Crew was fun. Boat ran well. I experienced it, just a marginal recommend from me as Mujeres is just a souvenir stop. I would not tell my friends to take this trip- too much loud boat ride for too little result.
Isla Contoy is the most beautiful place I have ever been, and these are the guys to visit it with. The crew were absolutely fantastic, they were all so friendly, funny, helpful, accommodating and knowledgeable. Rolando went above and beyond, and provided a tour of the island.
The island, birds and marine life were incredible! We had low expectations for the food, but it was delicious. The crew was helpful and professional. We highly recommend this excursion!
My husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in Cancun and were looking for something special to do as an excursion. The Isla Contoy Eco Tour was a perfect choice. It was a blend of learning something new and good old fashioned Mexican music and dancing. Roland, our main English speaking tour guide, was a gem 💎. His English was excellent, his knowledge was deep and his ability to entertain was rare. We highly recommend this tour, it’s a must!!!
Great day! We enjoyed our full day of Snorkeling, Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy. Boat was great. Not over crowded at all. Crew was fabulous. While a long day from pick up to drop off, it was well worth it (we were in Playa Del Carmen).
The crew was absolutely amazing and made the trip. I wouldn't book with any other group. I'd give them 10 stars if I could. We spent 9 nights in Canun for my Husband's 50th birthday and watching the crew and everyone singing to him and the other gentleman happy birthday and getting him to do a shot of tequila was hilarious. Thank you guys for the memories.
Amazing trip to Isla Mujeres and Isla Contoy. The tour guides made the whole trip, always entertaining. Special thank you to Rolando that guided us in portuguese the whole trip
Amazing scenery, gorgeous island, the sea was stunning with the light green colours. The staff made the experience very lovely during the boat trip there and back.
Very nice tour to visit beautiful Contoy Island, with beautiful scenarios, water and good food for the lunch. Tour guides available for all languages!
It was so fun on the boat with the tour guides ! I really recommend these guides. They are Nice and fun. The tour is beautiful, especially Contoy !
Me and my husband went on the guided sun set cruise and we enjoyed every min of it! the drinks the music the atmosphere was amazing! I would highly recommend booking this tour! we did not know about the docking and swimming or the going to the island to shop for a hour but we still had a great time and experience and would totally come back!
The Contoy experience was amazing! The staff were very friendly and helpful. Isla Mujeres was a cute and quaint little town. We had the opportunity to eat street tacos for only $4 made by the locals and go for a quick swim in the ocean. On the way to Isla Contoy, they gave us the opportunity to snorkel in the open ocean as well. The lunch was delicious and the beach was beautiful. My husband and I enjoyed this experience boating to this gorgeous island!
I would give them zero stars if I can. Their car smelled so bad, like it smelled like throw up and they were trying to cover it up with cheap fabreeze. I got carsick from it, and threw up once we reached the docks. Driver didn't speak English. The employee of this company provided absolutely no help and looked so annoyed. Told me to go back to the hotel. I paid for a round trip pick up but they told me to just go away and get your own taxi. Had to pay 800 pesos for a ride which I paid for. The most annoying thing was the service. Like I got car sick and this guy was so annoyed like rolled his eyes. Please don't use this company. Worst company ever.
Brilliant trip to Isla Cantoy, stopping off for snorkelling and Isla Mujeres. As we travelled in the winter it was quite rough seas but the crew made us all feel really comfortable! They looked after us, serving drinks, playing good music and even dancing with us at the end! We loved our experience!
We felt that we didn’t get much value for what we paid. It’s a long boat ride from Isla mujeres to Isla contoy, 1 1/2 hours. The snorkelling wasn’t that great. We couldn’t snorkel from the island for some reason and had to stop for a short snorkeling on our way out but not a lot to see. Once at the island, the meal was good but very small dessert and no coffee or tea served. The nature hike was less than 30 minutes. We thought there would be more information about the flora and fauna. We only saw two species of birds, some iguanas and some hermit crabs. The beach however, was very nice. Another 1 1/2 hours back to the port. Lots of booze served on board if that’s your thing.
After reading the reviews, I was a little skeptical about booking a tour of Contoy Island and Isla Mujeres, now I don't regret it one bit. Upon departure, the weather was windy but sunny. We skipped snorkeling because of the wind and the crowds at the location intended for snorkeling. Although the weather changed and became cloudy with occasional showers, I think we had enough good weather to visit Isla Mujeres. At Contoy, we first took a short tour of the island with our guide, Alex, who enthusiastically talked about the island's flora and fauna. After lunch we had free time to swim (due to the wind there was no opportunity to snorkel). During the sailing we had an open bar and could choose between cocktails, beer and soft drinks. The crew on board was super fun and helpful, especially Enrique. The captain of the ship is a top DJ and dancer :) All in all, a great experience!
This is a review of communicating with the company as the tour operator of a booked trip which had to be cancelled due to weather condition. The communication was clear; and full refund or rescheduling was offered immediately. Would book with the company again in the future for how it handled last-minute changes of tours and ts communication to your participants.
We did a guided bird watching excursion with Carlos and Lugo. They are such nice gentlemen, and excellent birders. Carlos asked all of the important questions so he could ensure he was providing an experience tailored to our needs. We saw 63 species of birds on our tour! It was incredible. Seeing parrots and toucans was a dream come true. I could not recommend this tour any more if you are into bird watching. Then we had an authentic Mexican lunch. It was an incredible experience. Book now! You won’t regret it.
Staffing are attentive and friendly. But, we did not get to see many birds or wildlife as expecting.
Willy Wonka and his crew were great! Very nice relaxing experience. Onboard entertainment and photographer available. Crew made sure to help passengers on and off board safety.
A tour of two parts. To start there is time on Isla Mujeres. If spending a day there there may be other options however for just over an hour you had souvenir shops and a few bars. We did a quick lap and waited to get back on the boat! Isla Contoy is a virgin island, limited numbers and no one lives there. En route there was an option to snorkel however we chose to sit on the boat with a margarita! Arriving on the Island you are given a short tour pointing out the animals, turtle nests and vegetation and there is then a meal served (all brought to the Island as there is no standing facilities). After that it is free time to wander the island, swim of paddle in crystal clear water where you can observe the trigger fish and small rays. On the way back the weather turned and it got quite rough however the crew were fabulous - “tequila” was the first order of business. The crew walked out with diving masks and snorkels with Celine Dion (Titanic theme) playing in the background. Then over to the bow of the ship to get soaked with water before putting on an impromptu concert. It may seem odd but it was great fun and my wife, who is not a good sailor, forgot all about the conditions. We really loved the trip and would recommend it, personally I would have rather skipped Isla Mujeres but that’s personal preference.
A fantastic day, just paradise loved every minute, done this trip six times before highly recommended. pick this tour though, not the Isla Mujeers sometimes this is included too, you just get ripped off shops hassling you none stop grossly inflated prices too. Isla Contoy just wonderful
The crew was very informative and were very fun on our way back. They were very curtiious keeping us hydrated. Highly recommend!
Avoid like the plague . Waste of day 1. Boat left an hour late and there was no text of delay. It returned an hour and half late - ruined the rest of our plans. No notifications of the delay . Their "light breakfast" was a joke. 2. Wasted 90 min in Isla Mujeras not 45 - another lie 3. Don't try snorkeling unless you are a strong swimmer in open seas. They will warn you on the boat. Do not expect to be close to the guides. We saw several struggling and the guide was not close enough to help them. Expect to swim at least 300 meters. Boat is quite far for safety. They will NOT give you a life jacket or life vest - they provide some kind of flotation belt. Made us uncomfortable and scared .Snorkeling was about 30 min. 4. Eco tour - it doesn't exist. They know that 99.99% of the island is restricted by the government as they visit the island everyday. They will take you on a 3 min walk and say sorry. Website says : " Experience its unique flora and fauna with our certified bilingual guides" - ALL LIES . Their Spanish guide couldn't distinguish anything. In which world does a 3 min stroll qualify as an eco tour ?? - they know this information before hand but choose not to inform clients so that they can take their money. 5. Lunch - not really "gastronomic experience " - another lie - it's ok. It will be served late around 2:30 6. Beach - heavily restricted which is wide along the shore , and is probably about 30 steps into the sea. Water is crystal clear and is wading depth at deepest. Lots of 5 - 6 cm fish (nothing spectacular). Beach itself is beautiful. Agree with rest of the negative reviews. Wasted day. Definitely NOT worth the $110/person
We were sold this trip as 3 hours of Snorkelling on the reef by the island, with the same promise of food and drink. In reality you get 15 minutes of snorkelling in a very rushed chaotic group setting. There is no ‘gastronomic’ experience! And No Open Bar on the island. You get to waste 90 minutes on Isla Mujeres, not 45. If you want to actually be in the water THIS IS NOT THE TRIP to book. Complete waste of a day!
Isla Contoy is a Must do when visisting México. It was by far the most beautiful beach we have seen here. The crew is very polite, kind and funny. They make sure you are really having a great time on this trip!
The dwhole trip was amazing. The boat ride was a little rocky but nothing you can do about it either. The captain mini missed the rocking excellent. Food and drink both ways all you can drink alcohol. The snorkeling was amazing but the two hour on the private island was breath taking. Sea life everywhere, and I mean huge starfish. No crowds. Social media posters dream location. Lunch on a private beach was also a nice treat. Would highly recommend this trip. Just realize it is a whole day excursion. Try to arrange you own transportation. We were in a van for 2 hours each way because we had to stop at so many hotels. Otherwise an amazing trip
Highly recommend the tour. I was a little worried when booking given some reviews but I had the best experience. We were picked up and returned to our hotel in professional and punctual manner. The tour was AMAZING! Isla Muerejes was a great 1:20h stop where you can go to the North beach and swim in crystal clear water. Next you will go towards Isla Contoy (1:30h away), halfway there you stop at the reef for snorkeling. Snorkeling was beautiful, guides were excellent and felt very safe at all times! Isla Contoy is amazing and a must sea, I’ve been to many ‘paradise’ places but this color I’ve never seen. It’s so preserved and beautiful. We had about 2:30h here with a nice lunch. Ride back was also excellent the crew is so FUN! They’re making drinks, in a good mood, dancing and singing with the passengers. Loved them!
Willie is an excellent guide, sailor, and just all around dude. The tour itself was fantastic and informative. The reef was beautiful and the island was pristine
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