Our Cozumel Snorkeling Adventure: An Experience We’d Book Again!Kelsey_D
We started at Punta Langosta cruise port and took a taxi to the Money Bar. The taxi ride cost $20 each way, so be sure to budget $40 round-trip for transportation. Once we arrived, we paid the additional $13 per person national reef park fee for the protected areas we would be visiting.
Helpful tip: Take a screenshot of your booking confirmation and reservation number before leaving the ship! If you don’t purchase the cruise Wi-Fi or prefer not to use cellular data while in Mexico, having your information saved offline makes check-in much easier.
After paying our fees and checking in, we used the restroom before boarding. The boat used for smaller groups of 1–5 people was similar to a Malibu-style boat. Before boarding, we placed our shoes in a crate for safekeeping and didn’t get them back until the tour was over, so plan accordingly!
Once onboard, we met our crew, received a safety briefing, and were immediately offered a drink. The options included water, beer, rum punch, or a margarita. Talk about starting a vacation excursion the right way!
Our crew consisted of Rael, the captain; Brian, the photographer; and Jose, our tour guide. You could tell these guys had worked together many times. Their banter and interactions with one another made the entire experience entertaining, relaxed, and fun.
Stop 1: Columbia Reef
Our first stop was Columbia Reef, and WOW! This was the deepest location on the tour, and we spent approximately 30–40 minutes exploring the reef with our guide.
The reef itself was enormous, and the marine life was incredible. We saw sea turtles, rays, nurse sharks, and a multitude of colorful fish. Being able to follow our guide through this underwater environment gave us plenty of time to appreciate the reef and see the wildlife up close.
This stop alone made the excursion worthwhile! Especially with the up-close experience with the loggerhead sea turtles.
Stop 2: The Starfish & an Unexpected Visitor!
Our second stop was a much shallower area, approximately 3 meters (about 10 feet) deep, where we could see the enormous starfish living in the area.
But the real highlight was an unexpected visitor: a spotted eagle ray!
We were incredibly lucky to see one, as these sightings are uncommon in this area. She swam remarkably close to our group, giving us an unforgettable view of the gorgeous spots covering her back. It was one of those moments that made the entire excursion feel extra special.
Stop 3: Stingrays, Fresh Ceviche & a Floating Party!
Our final stop was all about relaxing, enjoying snacks, and spending time around the stingrays. This area was very shallow, approximately 1 meter deep (roughly 3 feet), and we stayed for around 45–60 minutes.
The crew served a delicious spread that included:
* Fresh-cut fruit sprinkled with Tajín
* A bowl of fresh tortilla chips
* Two plates of fresh ceviche made with triggerfish
Everything was delicious, and it was so nice to take a break, snack, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings after snorkeling.
And then there was the music!
This crew brought the best DJ energy on the island. 😂 Our boat turned into the party boat, and before long, people on the nearby boats gathered around the sandbar were dancing, singing, and moving closer to enjoy the music. It was such a fun atmosphere and a perfect way to wrap up the excursion.
The one thing I wish I had known ahead of time was that a photographer would be onboard and that professional photos would be available for purchase.
Brian took nearly 50 pictures throughout our excursion. Some were posed couple photos, but my favorites were the candid shots of us snorkeling and the incredible marine life we encountered.
The pictures were genuinely great, and I wish we had budgeted for them!
The full photo bundle cost approximately $200, but we hadn’t planned for that additional expense. Between the round-trip taxi rides, the national park fees, and making sure we had money set aside for each of our four kids to have souvenirs, the photography package simply wasn’t in our budget.
We ended up purchasing one photo for $25 and calling it a day.
My recommendation: If you enjoy having professional vacation photos, ask about the photography packages and pricing before your excursion. Bring extra cash if purchasing pictures is something you might want to do. The candid shots of the wildlife and the underwater experience were especially worth considering!
Final Thoughts: Would We Book Again?
Absolutely!
This excursion was a fantastic combination of snorkeling, wildlife encounters, delicious food, refreshing drinks, and a fun atmosphere. The crew did an excellent job of making us feel comfortable and ensuring we enjoyed every stop. Their personalities, teamwork, and energy made the experience even better.
From the enormous Columbia Reef to the surprise spotted eagle ray and the lively stingray sandbar, we felt like we got to experience several different sides of Cozumel in one trip.
My biggest advice is to budget for the transportation and park fees, save your booking confirmation offline, and ask about photography prices ahead of time.
Overall, we loved this excursion and would absolutely book it again! If you’re looking for a snorkeling adventure that combines incredible marine life with a relaxed, fun atmosphere, this one is definitely worth considering.
