Day Trips to Isla Mujeres from Cancún

Isla Mujeres lies off Cancún, and the catamaran, ferry and boat tours we describe cross to it by water; the most common tour length is about 8 hours. We list 34 tours on this page. Formats run from short dolphin sessions to full catamaran days with snorkelling and free time on the island; we take each in turn below.

Catamaran days with snorkelling and island time

Catamaran listings run from 6 to 7 hours. After snorkelling at the El Meco reef, weather allowing, one gives you "2 hours of free time on Isla Mujeres to enjoy the attraction", it notes; another is adults-only, with a buffet lunch, Balinese beds and a sunset sail back to Cancún. A ferry listing instead pairs a dolphin swim with entry to Garrafón natural park.

A full day to Contoy and Isla Mujeres

The longest format here joins two islands, Contoy and Isla Mujeres, in about 9 hours. Its listing includes hotel pick-up, entrance to Contoy Island and snorkelling equipment, with guiding in English and Spanish; the catamaran cruises above are shorter by 2 to 3 hours.

Dolphin and sea lion encounters

Two guided listings centre on animals. The shorter one is built around 15 minutes of orientation, 15 minutes with manatees and 55 minutes with dolphins, reached by ferry from Playa Langosta; the other takes about 8 hours and offers a swim with sea lions in a programme designed around animal welfare, with a buffet meal and unlimited non-alcoholic drinks.

Table data is indicative and comes from the GuruWalk catalogue. Each activity's current details, including availability, are the ones shown on its listing when you book.

We would settle between a short wildlife session and a full day on the water first, because length separates these tours more than anything else.

Reef-safe sunscreen for the snorkelling stops

Biodegradable, reef-safe sunscreen is required at the snorkelling stops to protect the coral reefs, so we would pack it before heading for the boat. One listing adds that snorkelling at the El Meco reef depends on weather conditions.

Cash for dock and park fees

Almost all operators sailing from Cancún leave dock fees, port taxes or marine park conservation fees out of the ticket; these are paid in cash before boarding. We would bring cash on the day for those charges.

Free time on the island

Free time on Isla Mujeres, enough to see the town or Playa Norte, runs 1.5 to 2 hours on the cruises that include it. Golf carts can be rented near the main pier to ride from the northern beaches to the cliffs of Punta Sur.

Music on board

Some catamarans run with a party atmosphere and music; the adults-only listing we describe comes with an open bar and a live DJ. Quieter catamarans of about 6.5 hours also sail to Isla Mujeres, so check the sailing style of each listing before you choose.