We were mainly looking forward to Isla Contoy because of the beach, but I’d had my doubts beforehand as to whether a day trip was worth 4 900 mxn for two. It was our most expensive activity in Mexico: even more expensive than hot-air balloon rides over Teotihuacán.

Now that we’re back, I’m in no doubt: absolutely yes. A beautiful, seaweed-free beach and a few hours on a unique island were well worth the money.

Not everything was perfect. I’d happily give the snorkelling a miss next time, for example. But Contoy itself delivered exactly what we’d hoped for.

Our trip in a nutshell

	Our experience
Price	2 450 mxn per person
Booking	About 3 weeks in advance
Departure	Playa Centro on Isla Mujeres
Group size	Around 15 people
Boat trip to Contoy	about 50 minutes
Itinerary on the island	A short guided walk, 2 hours on the beach and lunch
Snorkelling	45 minutes on the return journey
Total duration	6 hours
Included	Boat trip, guide, lunch, mask and fins

There are plenty of agencies organising trips to Isla Contoy in Cancún and on Isla Mujeres. In Mexico, they all operate on GetYourGuide, where I also booked and paid for my trip.

Why we set sail from Isla Mujeres

Most trips to Contoy set off from Cancún or Isla Mujeres.

We chose the latter option because we had booked a stay at the Impression Isla Mujeres hotel after the trip and didn’t want to have to travel all the way from Cancún again upon our return.

What’s more, we were able to enjoy a shorter boat trip and didn’t need a hotel transfer. If you’re staying on the island for a few days, I reckon setting off from Isla Mujeres makes the most sense.

Just make sure you check the pick-up point carefully when booking. Whilst some tours mention Isla Mujeres in the itinerary, passengers are only dropped off there for a short stop and the boat actually sets sail from Cancún.

I chose the hotel based on the map. And that was a mistake

We were due to board right at Playa Centro, so I wanted to stay as close as possible.

I chose the Hotel Posada del Mar, which is practically across the road. The location was perfect, but the hotel was dreadful.

The room was old and musty, and there was no running water for half the night. We managed to get through one night, but I can’t recommend it.

If you want to stay near the harbour before your trip, I’d recommend choosing from the better-rated options in the centre of Isla Mujeres or near Playa Norte. We also have more detailed tips in our guide to accommodation on Isla Mujeres.

On our return, we moved to Impression Isla Mujeres by Secrets, which was the reason we’d planned our entire itinerary this way.

We set off from Playa Centro exactly as planned

Everything went smoothly that morning. We boarded directly at Playa Centro, and there were about 15 of us on the smaller boat.

We set off at 8.30 am, exactly as planned.

On the way, we picked up a few nature park staff on the mainland, but this didn’t add much to the journey time.

The crossing took about 50 minutes. On a small boat, you naturally feel the motion of the sea, so if you’re prone to seasickness, I’d take some medicine before setting off.

Upon arrival, we disembarked at the only beach accessible to tourists on standard day trips.

Life jackets are compulsory for everyone during the crossing.

Isla Contoy is already in sight!

The beach, or a guided walk?

After disembarking, we were given a choice. We could either spend the whole time on the beach or go for a short guided walk first. We chose the walk, and I’d recommend it to others too.

It was very easy going and led along footpaths through the mangroves, offering views of the sea and the cliffs.

There was perhaps a bit too much commentary on the local wildlife, but it was all part of the island experience, and the walk showed us more than just the beach.

Anyone who just wants to swim and relax can, of course, stay by the water.

Lunch and facilities on the island

Lunch was also served during the break (shortly after the walk). The choice was surprisingly good, and there was even a vegetarian option.

I wasn’t expecting much from lunch on an organised boat trip, so I was really pleased with it.

As well as the standard lunch, we could pop over to the boat moored at the jetty at any time for a drink and some fruit.

However, it is strictly forbidden to take anything (including a bottle of water) from the boat onto the beach. Isla Contoy is a very strictly protected area. It isn’t a major problem, though, as unlimited water and soft drinks are also available in the canteen right by the beach.

The island’s other facilities consist solely of chemical toilets.

Two hours on a truly beautiful beach

The walk was followed by about two hours of free time on the beach. And it’s precisely for that reason that I’d go back to Contoy again.

The water was crystal-clear, very shallow and, during our visit in May, there wasn’t a single strand of seaweed to be seen. After our experiences with sargassum in Mexico, this was a huge advantage.

That doesn’t mean you’ll find the same algae-free beach every day of the year, but in this particular bay on the island of Contoy, seaweed appears only very rarely.

If you want to swim in deep water, the long stretch of shallow water might bother you. But it’s brilliant for a leisurely swim and lazing about in the sea.

Snorkelling was the weakest part of the trip

On the way back, we stopped for about 45 minutes to go snorkelling in the open sea. A mask and fins were automatically included in the price, so we didn’t have to bring our own kit.

However, the conditions weren’t really to our liking. The current was quite strong, I didn’t feel very well in places, and we couldn’t see anything underwater that would make me particularly recommend this part of the programme.

Someone else might have a completely different experience when the sea is calmer, but for us it was the least enjoyable part of the day.

I wouldn’t therefore choose this trip for the snorkelling. The main reason to visit is the island itself and its beach.

After that, we had a 45-minute boat ride back to Isla Mujeres. The whole trip, from departure to return, took about six hours.

Practical information about the trip to Isla Contoy

Where do boats depart from for Isla Contoy?

There is no regular public ferry service to the island. You will need to book an organised trip with an authorised operator.

Departure point	What to expect	Who it’s suitable for
Isla Mujeres	Usually around 6 to 7 hours	If you’re staying on Isla Mujeres
Cancún, Punta Sam	A longer day, often including a hotel transfer and a stop on Isla Mujeres	If you’re staying in Cancún
Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya	A road transfer to the harbour will make the whole trip take longer	Only if you do not wish to stay overnight in Cancún or on Isla Mujeres beforehand

If you’re travelling from the mainland, check before booking whether the price includes hotel pick-up and where the boat actually departs from. You might also find our guide to transport in Cancún and our guide on how to get to Isla Mujeres useful.

How far in advance should you book?

The number of tourists on Isla Contoy is officially limited to 200 per daydue to strict nature conservation measures.

We booked three weeks in advance because we had a fixed date and I didn’t want to risk it being fully booked.

Three weeks’ notice isn’t essential in all circumstances. However, if you only have one specific day available for the trip, I’d book at least 1 to 3 weeks in advance. I’d only rely on last-minute bookings if you have a flexible itinerary.

What’s more, the cruises depend on the weather, so it’s handy to have the option of cancelling or rescheduling free of charge.

• Book your trip to Isla Contoy in advance

What’s included in the price

We paid 4 900 mxn for our trip for two.

The price included the boat trip, a guide, lunch, a mask and fins. However, offers from different companies vary, so before paying, I’d check the following in particular:

• the national park entry fee and any harbour charges (these are usually included)
• the actual pick-up point and hotel transfer
• the length of stay on Contoy itself
• lunch and the availability of vegetarian options
• hire of a mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket
• cancellation terms in the event of bad weather

What to bring with you

• swimwear and a towel
• a hat or cap
• A UV-protective T-shirt, as there are restrictions on the use of sun cream and insect repellent on the island
• medication for travel sickness, if you get seasick on smaller boats
• a waterproof phone case and some cash for any fees or tips

Always check the current rules with your mobile network operator.

Contoy is a protected national park and the organisation of trips there is stricter than for a standard cruise around Isla Mujeres.

Where can you go on the island?

Strictly limited to the tourist beach and the adjacent footpaths, accompanied by a guide.

Tourists will therefore only see around 3–5 per cent of the island.

The trip really isn’t suitable for those looking for adventure and exploring on their own, but rather for those seeking relaxation on a beautiful beach.

Is a trip to Isla Contoy worth it?

In our opinion, definitely yes. 4 900 mxn It’s not cheap for two, but the organisation was good, the group was small, the lunch was good and the beach was stunning.

It was precisely those few hours spent by the shallow, seaweed-free turquoise sea that made the trip worthwhile for us.

We weren’t particularly impressed by the snorkelling, and I wouldn’t go to Contoy just for that. However, if you want to see a protected island, walk amongst the mangroves and spend part of the day on one of the most beautiful beaches near Isla Mujeres, it’s a trip I’d recommend.