Isla Contoy Tours and Tickets

Contoy Island (Isla Contoy) is a small island located off the northeast coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, around 18 miles (30 kilometers) from Isla Mujeres and 23 miles (37 kilometers) from Cancun. The island is a national park and wildlife sanctuary and is only accessible by boat, with limits on the number of visitors per day.

Yes, visitors can swim and snorkel in the waters surrounding Contoy Island, which are home to a coral reef and a sunken ship. Be sure to check whether or not your guided tour includes snorkeling equipment (luckily, most do), and note that the currents can be quite strong at times.

Yes, guided tours are available for Contoy Island—in fact, they are the most popular way to reach the island from the mainland. Tours usually depart from Cancun and include a stop at Isla Mujeres and a snorkeling break at the Ixlache Reef. Once on the island, guides will show you around the main sights before giving you free time to explore.

Yes. A permit is required to visit the island—unless you are visiting as part of a guided tour from an approved operator—and only 200 visitors are allowed per day. Sunscreen and insect repellent are not permitted on the island, so apply both beforehand and be sure to only use reef-safe versions. Cigarette smoking is also banned on the island.

For the best weather, visit Contoy Island between December and April, which also happens to be the area’s high season. If you want to avoid crowds, visit in the late spring or fall—this is when the weather is still nice, but there are fewer people competing for limited spots on guided tours.