Isla Contoy Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Isla Contoy. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Whale Shark Tour From Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Riviera Maya

• Beach Escape: Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres with Snorkeling

• Private Escape: Isla Contoy & Isla Mujeres with Snorkeling

• Full-Day Isla Contoy Sailing Nature Experience in Mujeres

• Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres Tour with Snorkeling from Cancun

The government charges an admission fee of 225 Mexican pesos for Isla Contoy. Since permits are required, visitor numbers are limited to 200 guests per day, and the only way to reach the island is by boat, you’ll need to book a tour. Prices start at around US$155, and often exclude entrance fees.

Yes, Isla Contoy is well worth visiting. Known for its rich birdlife, the island is a tropical gem with white sands, turquoise waters, and swaying palm trees; what's more, limited visitor numbers mean it's never crowded. Picking a tour led by nature guides can really enrich the experience by helping you spot birds, marine life, and wildlife.

Per one customer who booked the Beach Escape: Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres With Snorkeling, "We did quite a few tours around Yucatan and this was by far the best one. Super well-organised and smooth, the guides Alex and Pepe very skillful and engaged—Pepe's passion for the environment and conservation is incredible and really makes a difference when visiting Isla Contoy. The island is literally paradise and so worth visiting. The guides create really good vibes and the whole trip was just fantastic. And SUPER delicious lunch prepared by the boat crew."

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.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Isla Contoy. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan:

• Chichen Itza

• Isla Mujeres

• Xcaret

• Akumal

• Mayan Ruins of Coba

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan.