Review of Our Family Visit to Isla Contoy - 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.

Paradise Island - Lovely island of a wonderful turquoise blue water. The water does not cover, there are straw umbrellas and a small palapa where they make food. They don't allow you to put sunscreen on, or smoke any kind of tobacco. In fact, one of us who was coming on our tour, he was spotted by the island watchman vaping, and he was put on the boat and he could only go out to eat. You can't take anything from there, or hang clothes on any floor. They only allow 200 people a day. Adviceable swimming trunks and long sleeve T-shirts to avoid burning. The sun is pure fire. You will see iguanas, blankets, hermits, birds in quantity, and from the viewpoint, spectacular views.

A very beautiful island worth visiting - An incredible visit to this island that is protected, do not allow many tourists, and that gives a very special touch to it

Great Conservation Experience - 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!

An unmissable experience! - It was great! We had fun, had an excellent trip to Contoy Island with Snorkeling where we saw Corales. Very good service from Carlos and Eulysses and the boat boys. Thank you so much!

TOUR INCREÍBLE - Unique experience. Contoy Island second to none. Snorkel with Alexis 10. A guide who knows how to take care of a group and enjoy it. Plus a unique reef. Pattern Jesus an excellent person with a wonderful sighting and handling ability. Plus always willing to help. Amazing that on a tour there is a person like Moises who speaks 8 languages. Overall it is a unique experience that I would repeat non-stop. Ramón Serrano Martínez

Excellent Contoy - Nice boat and Contoy island is great for its beach and wild fauna in the area. Team was professional

Not good. - 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.

Disappointing day - 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.

Not a Snorkeling trip - 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.