Isla Mujeres Beach Stop, 5 Hours

Overview

This five-hour trip with Contoy Adventures pairs the two big draws of the waters off Cancun: time in the water with whale sharks and a beach stop on Isla Mujeres. The boat runs from the operator's marina at Punta Sam, right beside the ferry terminal to Isla Mujeres, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so the day starts at the door rather than at a dock.

Once out on the water, the crew searches for whale sharks and travellers take turns entering the water beside them with the snorkel gear provided. Reviewers regularly describe multiple swim turns per person, though each turn is short, more a fast burst alongside a moving animal than a leisurely float. After the whale shark session the boat heads to Isla Mujeres for about an hour at the beach before returning to the marina. A light breakfast, snacks, ceviche prepared on board according to several reviews, sodas, bottled water, coffee and tea are all part of the package, along with a professional guide.

The tour suits travellers with moderate fitness, as the listing requires. It is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, including the transport. It is not open to pregnant travellers, not recommended for children aged 3 and under or people with back problems, and the group is capped at 20 travellers per departure.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupHotel pickup and drop-off are included.
2. Check in at Contoy AdventuresThe base is the marina at Carretera Punta Sam, next to the Punta Sam ferry terminal to Isla Mujeres and beside the Villa del Palmar hotel. The full activity runs 5 hours from this point.
3. Boat ride to the whale sharksReviews describe a long and sometimes rough crossing, and a crew that works hard to locate the animals.
4. Swim with the whale sharksTravellers take turns entering the water with the guide beside the sharks. Reviewers commonly report two turns each, with short bursts of swimming.
5. Isla Mujeres beach stopAbout an hour at Isla Mujeres, admission free, to swim and relax at the beach. Some reviewers found this stop shorter than they would have liked.
6. Return and hotel drop-offThe boat heads back to the Punta Sam marina, and the tour ends at the same meeting point. Hotel drop-off is included.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points recur across the reviews and the listing, and they shape the day more than anything else.

• Motion sickness. This is the single most repeated warning in the reviews. Multiple travellers reported seasickness on the crossing, including people who never usually get sick, and one reviewer recommends taking motion sickness medication ahead of the departure.
• Short swim turns. Reviewers often mention brief turns in the water, typically two per person, with each lasting about a minute and up to a few minutes at most. The sharks move fast, so swimmers need to keep pace rather than drift and watch.
• Fitness and pace. The listing asks for moderate physical fitness, and the swims are active sprints, with reviewers describing fast swimming to keep up with the animals. The tour is not recommended for children 3 and under.
• Food and drink. A light breakfast, snacks, sodas, bottled water, coffee and tea are included. Several reviews mention ceviche prepared by the crew and served during the day.
• Photos and extras. Crew members shoot photos and video during the swims and sell them afterwards. Reviewers call this add-on expensive. Travellers can bring their own camera instead.
• Bring your own gear. Snorkel equipment is included. One reviewer found the provided gear poor quality, so travellers who own a well-fitting mask may prefer to bring it.

Common issues. The dock fee and federal tax of US$20.00 per person is not included and is paid separately. Sightings are likely but not guaranteed, as the listing states plainly. The crossing can be long and rough, and seasickness affected a large share of one boat according to a reviewer. Swim time beside the sharks is measured in short turns, which disappointed some travellers expecting a long float. The Isla Mujeres stop felt brief to more than one reviewer. Photos are a paid extra, and one reviewer mentioned being offered wetsuit rental at an added charge.

Common Questions