4 Hour Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Experience on a Luxury Catamarán
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Cozumel, Mexico
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Discover Cozumel’s magical underwater world during a catamaran cruise around four of the island’s most renowned reef locations, home to giant sea turtles, barracuda, stingrays, star fish, and a whole host of tropical fish. In between snorkeling stops, soak up the sunshine on deck and sip an ice-cold drink as you gaze upon the glorious turquoise sea. Hotel pickup is included for added convenience.
- Learn about Cozumel’s reefs and its broad variety of marine species
- Swim with turtles at Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary
- Tuck into freshly prepared Mexican snacks and alcoholic drinks on board
- Watch the sunset from the catamaran on the way back to port
What's Included
- SnacksFresh fruit and ceviche
- Alcoholic BeveragesRum punch, margaritas, tequila, beer (2 per person, over 18's only)
- Soda/PopSoda and other soft drinks
- Use of Snorkeling equipmentUse of Snorkelling equipment
- Onboard bathroom
- Gratuities
- Photos
- Government Fees$10.00 per person
- Towels
- (Optional) Hotel docking taxes
- Sunscreen
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
What To Expect
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 22 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Cristina_S
Easy check in and walk to the catamaran. We were greeted by 4 people managing the boat. Super friendly and knowledgeable about everything. Safety is the number one priority. We did 3 stops for snorkeling and they were all amazing. Took awesome pictures and had a great experience. Our last stop was were we drank and ate. The ceviche and fruit were so yummy and fresh. The drinks kept on coming and we had the best time ever. Highly recommend this excursion.
Reviews
4.8
based on 812 reviews
Cynthia_H, Apr 2026
This was a wonderful snorkeling experience. We met at the El CID hotel a short walk from where our cruise ship was docked. After everyone checked in we went to the dock at the back of the resort and boarded the boat. Safety was explained and everyone had life jackets on and off we went. We snorkeled in three different spots about 45 minutes away. Every spot was unique with different kinds of sea life to observe. We were all escorted in the water by a staff member as well as an underwater photographer. All was very safe and professionally done. We saw beautiful fish, barracuda, a nurse shark, a green turtle, enormous starfish, beautiful reefs. We then went to our last stop, a sandbar where we were served margaritas and rum punch as well as ceviche, pico de gallo, guacamole and chips on a paddleboard while gentle stingrays swam around in the waist high water. Such a wonderful day! Can’t say enough about the crew being helpful and caring of their customers on the excursion. A great time on the Poseidon. The highlight of our vacation.
Emily_W, Apr 2026
We had such an amazing time on this trip going for the second time. Our first time was in Aug of 2025 and it was just as good as this one. The sea life is great with Nurse sharks, turtles, sting rays, barracuda and so many fish. The coral is a little bleached but still beautiful. We stop and one deep water snorkel about 20m or so with beautiful reef then went to another stop about 3m deep with some reef but more turtle and grass land territory. We saw baby sharks is this second stop both times. Then we went to a short star fish area for 5 min. Finally we go to the sandbar area we stingrays swimming around you and beautiful water. Food, margaritas, shots and beer. The excursion advertises 2 drinks but it was unlimited for us both trips. Such a great experience. Such a fun crew!!!
Annette_R, Apr 2026
The guys were fun and the boat was good. We didnt see any turtles though. I know its a 50/50 shot but in 3 spots we went to, there were none. The most we saw was a bunch of starfish.
NancyWhite, Apr 2026
We came in on a cruise and got picked up at El Cid. Embarkation was difficult - a very large step onto the boat with little assistance. We were delayed due to a family showing up a day late. The rest of us paid for that delay by being rushed. There was little communication/direction of the plan (3 stops - what to expect, etc.) from the staff during the excursion - very hard to hear when they did give limited direction. 1st stop - we didn't see any turtles except one swimming on top of water. Very few fish, no coral. . The second stop was where we did see quite a few starfish on the sand bottom. The third stop was a rush to get off boat in shallow water - a stingray was swimming around -no mention of that. Ceviche and pico de gallo with chips and some melon were put on a surfboard so if you wanted to eat- you had to get in the water. Margaritas and fruit punch were served on the boat. Returning to El Cid disembarking was even worse than getting on. I actually fell to the deck when getting off when the boat was not held stationary. We enjoyed the boat ride - but overall were disappointed in the snorkeling.
Amy_M, Apr 2026
Great service and attention to details. Very humorous. Took us to 3 great places to snorkel. They did not disappoint. I wish they would have had my size fins, but it all worked out.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed our service and hospitality. Warm regards from the entire Cozumel Snorkel Center team, who work hard every day to ensure you return home with the best possible experience and excellent service.
Richard_D, Apr 2026
My wife and I were initially disappointed when our cruise line canceled our excursion, but finding this tour turned out to be an absolute blessing in disguise! We booked the "4 Hour Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Experience on a Luxury Catamaran", and it completely exceeded our expectations. We are honestly thankful the cruise line canceled because we got to experience this tour instead.
The waters were aqua blue and crystal clear, makign for a perfect day. They took us to three different snorkeling locations, and each spot offered a unique array of marine wildlife. We saw tons of colorful fish, a nurse shark, starfish, and the absolute highlight of our trip — a sea turtle!
After the snorkeling portion, we were brought to a sandbar where the tour operators provided a beachside snack and beverages. It was a fantastic way to relax, especially with plenty of friendly stingrays peacefully swimming right beside us in the shallow water. The entire trip was perfectly balanced between exciting adventure and tropical relaxation.
The crew truly made the trip exceptional. Our captain was highly experienced and made every effort to keep the catamaran ride as smooth and comfortable as possible. Meanwhile, the guides did a phenomenal job of keeping us entertained, communicating clearly with everyone, and keeping the party going the whole time. I completely recommend them and would definitely book this tour again!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed our service and hospitality. Warm regards from the entire Cozumel Snorkel Center team, who work hard every day to ensure you return home with the best possible experience and excellent service.
Valeriu_O, Apr 2026
Great experience from start to finish. Very smooth pockup and drop off. Our captain was Pork Chop. The entire crew was phenomenal. We snorkeled at 3 different locations, saw a bunch of fish, sting rays, 2 young nurse sharks, sea turtles, an octopus. Water was a bit cold for my 7 yo daughter this time of year, so she didn’t want to go in again after the first stop. But still had a ton of fun. I did too, after snorkeling like scientists for 3 or so hours, we partied like pirates on the way back.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed our service and hospitality. Warm regards from the entire Cozumel Snorkel Center team, who work hard every day to ensure you return home with the best possible experience and excellent service.
Eric_A, Apr 2026
Exactly as described. Nice guys. Great time. Picked us up from the hotel dock as scheduled. Drinks, water, fun ceviche experience.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed our service and hospitality. Warm regards from the entire Cozumel Snorkel Center team, who work hard every day to ensure you return home with the best possible experience and excellent service.
Alexandre_C, Apr 2026
To start with the positives, this tour is well suited for first-time snorkelers. The guides keep everyone close together and provide clear direction, which can be reassuring if you’re new to snorkeling.
However, if you’ve snorkeled before, the experience will likely feel very rushed and restrictive. Each stop is short, and you’re required to stay tightly grouped with little to no opportunity to explore. In our experience, with other tours like in the Dominican Republic, a good snorkeling tour in the same price point should allow at least 15–20 minutes per stop to explore the reef at your own pace (while still staying safe), rather than moving quickly from one location to the next.
It’s also worth noting that the locations themselves looked like they could have been amazing, but the limited time and tight group control meant you never really had the chance to enjoy them properly. With more time and space, this could have been an amazing tour.
The boat itself also does match the way the tour is marketed. It is advertised as a “luxury catamaran,” but it is not a full-sized catamaran like you would expect from similar tours in other Caribbean destinations, again in the same price point. If you’ve done catamaran tours before, you expect a large front net where several people can sit or lay down, a fully covered mid-cabin for shade, and comfortable aft seating. None of that was really there. The front net is very small (only a couple of people can use it comfortably), there is no proper sheltered cabin space, and there is not even a sail on the boat. Calling this a “luxury catamaran” is simply false, especially given the price point of this tour is higher than others.
Food and drinks were good, and the crew was very nice and professional, but the overall experience just doesn’t match the expectations set by the description and by our other prior experience at the same price.
In summary:
• Good for first-time snorkelers
• Too rushed for anyone with experience
•Great locations, but not enough time to enjoy them
•“Luxury catamaran” now that just not true if you’ve been on a real catamaran tour.
If you’re looking for a more immersive snorkeling experience, and a real catamaran, you may want to consider other options.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for taking the time to share such a detailed and thoughtful review. We truly appreciate both your positive comments and your constructive feedback.
We’re glad to hear that you found the tour suitable for first-time snorkelers and that our crew made a good impression with their professionalism and service. It’s also great to know you enjoyed the food and drinks onboard.
At the same time, we sincerely regret that the experience felt rushed and restrictive for you. Your comments regarding the time spent at each stop and the ability to explore more freely are very valuable, and we will absolutely take them into consideration as we work to improve the overall experience for all guests.
We also appreciate your honesty regarding the boat and how it compares to your expectations of a “luxury catamaran.” We understand how this could be disappointing, especially when compared to other experiences, and we will review how we present and describe the tour to ensure expectations are as clear and accurate as possible.
Thank you again for your feedback—it helps us grow and improve. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you again in the future and provide you with an experience that better matches your expectations.
Erica_K, Apr 2026
We had an amazing time and even got to encounter manta rays at the final stop on the sand bar while we enjoyed fresh fruit, chips, guacamole and ceviche! The crew was on time, courteous and showed us a great time overall. We do wish we'd had more time at each stop to snorkel more but it was definitely worth the trip!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your review! 🌊✨ We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the experience, especially that special moment watching the manta rays at the sandbar 🐠💙.
We also appreciate your comments about the food and the crew; it really motivates us to know that they helped make your time with us so enjoyable. We’ll take your suggestion regarding the time at each snorkeling stop into account, as we’re always looking to improve our guests’ experience.
We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back very soon for another unforgettable adventure! 🚤🌴
Curtis_H, Apr 2026
We were told to go in the morning by the operators. As we finished. The good stuff to see is only in the morning. Would have been nice if we were told that when booking. Not worth the value for a family in the afternoon
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We appreciate you taking the time to write your review. We suggest certain times, but the decision is yours. Please remember that marine life isn’t kept in tanks or behind nets; it roams freely in its natural habitat. However, our guides do their best to ensure you can appreciate what’s there during the tour.
NIDHI_G, Apr 2026
I went with my husband and son for this snorkeling tour and it was incredible, it was my first time and in the first dive I got bit nervous and couldn't see much but my husband was able to see a baby turtle. In the second and third dive I saw star fish, coral reefs and fishes, at the end they took us to a spot for having snacks, while having snacks we saw lots of stingrays passing by, the whole experience was amazing and I would highly recommend this. The hosts ceaser and Pedro were really good and great hosts.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your lovely review! 🌊✨
We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the snorkeling adventure with César, Chuleta, and Leo. Seeing turtles, rays, and so many fish makes the experience even more special 🐢🐠
Thank you for recommending us. We’d love to have you join us again on another adventure.
See you next time! 🌴
Angela_G, Apr 2026
We had a wonderful time! Great boat ride and snorkeling experience in beautiful water. Saw baby shark, stingrays and starfish.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
We appreciate you taking the time to send us your feedback. We’re glad to hear you had a great tour and were able to experience some of the island’s wonders.
Jonathan_G, Apr 2026
We saw three distinct snorkeling areas - coral (saw fish and small sharks), see grass (saw turtles), and white sand (saw starfish). The guides were very friendly and accommodated all our requests. They also made and served us fresh ceviche and sliced fruit. It was a great family outing.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you so much for your wonderful review!
We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed exploring the three different snorkeling spots—each one offers something unique, and it sounds like you had an amazing experience with the coral, seagrass, and sandy areas 🐠🐢⭐️
It’s great to know our guides made you feel comfortable and took good care of your group. We’re also happy you enjoyed the fresh ceviche and fruit—nothing better after a swim!
We truly appreciate you choosing us for your family outing and hope to welcome you again for another memorable adventure.
Jennifer_R, Apr 2026
This was my second time on this excursion and I liked it enough to go back. I don’t know if I would describe it as a luxury catamaran but it was nice and there was plenty of space. We don’t see turtles but saw a lot of other cool stuff. Guides were very nice!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We are pleased to know that you enjoyed our service and attention. We send you greetings from the entire Cozumel Snorkel Center team, who strive every day to ensure you return home with a great experience and excellent service.
Karen_P, Mar 2026
Great excursion with a delightful and professional crew . David, our snorkeling guide , was great and enthusiastic while also watchful for our safety . I was a little hesitant as I am not a great swimmer but ALL levels would enjoy this trip.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We're pleased to know you enjoyed our service and attention. Greetings from the entire Cozumel Snorkel Center team, who strive every day to provide you with excellent service.
Joseph_R, Mar 2026
We had a great time with our family and friends we met on the boat. Leo and the rest of the crew were great, fun and attentive!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for taking the time to tell us about your tour.
We're glad to hear that you had a great experience and that the crew met your expectations.
We look forward to seeing you on a future visit so you can enjoy another great adventure at sea
Janet_D, Mar 2026
This was a fun excursion. There was room for everyone on the boat and the crew was great. The snorkeling and boat ride was so scenic. After snorkeling we stopped at a beautiful place to enjoy the provided snack and beverages in the water. So fun!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! 😊
We're so glad to hear you had such a great time
Thanks again for recommending us—we hope to see you again very soon for another adventure just as special
Robert_S, Mar 2026
The crew was awesome my wife just wanted to see a sea turtle up close. She did!!!! Had food drink and a great captain
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We appreciate your feedback; it encourages us to keep giving our best on every tour. It’s great to hear that you enjoyed seeing the turtle.
We hope to see you again in the future for another great adventure on the water
Maria_R, Mar 2026
Our trip was scheduled for a Saturday around 2p, we were contacted the day prior to see of we could take the Catamaran for the early tour Sat morning because the boat was going in for inspection at the time our tour was booked for. We declined because we had other things planned and also we were afraid to join a super backed boat.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We appreciate your feedback and apologize for the inconvenience. The safety of our visitors is very important to us, which is why we do not allow such behavior. We regret that we were not made aware of your concern in advance so that we could have assured you that everything would go smoothly without any issues. We have also processed a full refund for the inconvenience.
We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again in the future and that you’ll have a wonderful time exploring the island’s reefs.
Angela_K, Mar 2026
There is a lot more snorkeling than we anticipated, it was wonderful. We saw lots of different species of fish, plus starfish, eel, rays, and many others! Fun time out in the water that is truly paradise!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your comments! We're glad to hear you enjoyed the tour. We really appreciate your feedback—please come back soon!
Diane_R, Mar 2026
This trip on the luxury catamaran was more casual and friendly compared to a typical snorkeling tour. The crew was amazing, fun and friendly.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We appreciate your feedback; we're glad to hear that you enjoyed your experience and that we exceeded your expectations.
Feedback like yours encourages us to continue providing excellent service.
Marshall_H, Mar 2026
The tour was great and the guy on the boat were awesome! They even served us fresh coconuts off we watched them harvoff a tree.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
What fantastic, delicious coconuts! Thanks for the comments—come back soon!!
Denise_C, Mar 2026
No catamaran as it had broken down but provided a speed boat instead. Captain and guides were great. Didn't see any turtles but the string rays were amazing.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We really appreciate your feedback, and we work hard to ensure our service is top-notch. Best regards
Cristina_S, Mar 2026
Easy check in and walk to the catamaran. We were greeted by 4 people managing the boat. Super friendly and knowledgeable about everything. Safety is the number one priority. We did 3 stops for snorkeling and they were all amazing. Took awesome pictures and had a great experience. Our last stop was were we drank and ate. The ceviche and fruit were so yummy and fresh. The drinks kept on coming and we had the best time ever. Highly recommend this excursion.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much. We do our best to make you feel at home and ensure you have the best time possible. Thank you.
Vernon_B, Mar 2026
We were told upon arrival that the luxury catamaran was not available however, we could take a speed boat and, our $10USD dock fee would be waived. We carried on to have a perfect day snorkelling. The experience was amazing. Highly recommend this excursion. The staff were all very friendly. The lunch was delicious especially the fish ceviche.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review! We truly appreciate your understanding regarding the change from the luxury catamaran to the speed boat. We're glad the dock fee waiver helped and, most importantly, that you still had a perfect day snorkeling.
It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the experience, the friendliness of our staff, and especially the fish ceviche at lunch — we’ll be sure to share your compliments with the team.
Thank you for recommending the excursion, and we hope to welcome you again for another amazing adventure in the future!
Geoff_C, Mar 2026
Absolutely incredible! My wife is terrified of the ocean but when she saw the sea turtles swimming below, she jumped right in! The staff were very professional and explained everything in great detail. Although we didn’t have a tone of time at each location we never felt rushed and saw a plethora of sea life at each stop. We saw 4 sea turtles a shark and more star fish than you can count. Not to mention the hundreds of other species of fish. I would highly recommend this excursion to anyone!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that your wife was even able to overcome her fear of the ocean by seeing the sea turtles. 🐢🌊 That is one of the most special moments we can experience at sea.
We love to hear that the team was able to explain everything in detail and that you felt comfortable throughout the tour. Although the stops are limited in time so that we can visit several points, we always try to ensure that each group enjoys themselves without feeling rushed.
How lucky to have seen so many species! They make each tour unique. 🐠⭐
Thank you again for recommending us and for sharing this adventure with us. We hope to see you again very soon for another unforgettable experience at sea!
Jeanne_P, Mar 2026
Deceiving comfort and ease for anyone who isn’t under 60 and extremely experienced! My husband was sick and no possible refund. I got there and saw little shade, few cushioned seats, and not easy to get on board! I backed out. My friends who went on said it was very challenging and difficult to get back up after snorkeling. You should definitely let anyone over 50 know they should see every bit of the experience. Catamarans that I have been in are comfortable and easy on and off. This was bare bones. I asked Viator for a refund of any kind and was denied by the Tour team. $169. Plus boarding tax wasted because they aren’t utterly clear as to who should buy this package.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Our catamaran is easily accessible to everyone, and our visitors are of all ages.
Our website has information and photos of the boat. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by any electronic means.
Our cancellation policy requires 24 hours' notice prior to the tour. We always look after our visitors.
We value the quality and service provided to our visitors for their comfort and enjoyment of the tour.
Jake_K, Mar 2026
This excursion was great in that they picked us up right at the pier on the beach of our resort so we simply just walked right there and the staff was perfectly entertaining and professional (David, Captain Pork Chop(?) and Cesar)!
The first stop had a ton of tiny jellyfish that wrecked several of our group so a heads up about that would have been appreciated, but otherwise, we saw 2 turtles in their glory and numerous rays and starfish, which was awesome! The paddleboard lunch with ceviche in the clear water along with the chill ride back allowing our special song requests made for a very great time for us all!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us! We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the excursion. David, Captain Pork Chop, and César will be very happy to know that their energy, professionalism, and good humor helped make the day special.
We also greatly appreciate your comment about the jellyfish. Sea conditions can change from day to day, but we take your suggestion very seriously and will try to give advance warning whenever possible to improve our guests' experience.
The marine life here always provides incredible moments! And we're glad you enjoyed the ceviche on the paddle board and the relaxed return trip with music of your choice.
Thank you again for choosing us and for taking the time to write your review. We look forward to welcoming you back on board for another great adventure at sea!
Jess_C, Mar 2026
Viator messed up our reservations. I called to apply a coupon code to a reservation I made months in advance. When they did that, they cancelled my existing reservation and rebooked for the later time (2 pm instead of 9). I caught the mistake and the gentleman “helping” me said he amended it. It showed up amended on my end but Viator never informed the snorkel company so when we showed up, they did not have any room for us anymore. Super frustrating and annoying. The Cozumel snorkeling company themselves were amazing, however.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We appreciate your comment. We are sorry about what happened with your reservation, but we appreciate your trust in us to provide you with our services, and we are glad you did not miss out on the wonderful snorkeling experience on the island of Cozumel.
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