Snorkeling Guide for Isla Mujeres - Isla Mujeres Purple Travel Guide
We provides information about the best snorkeling spots (on-the-beach and off-the-beach) in Isla Mujeres. We provide detailed information and we show lots of photos so you know what you can expect.
Best snorkeling in Isla Mujeres
Isla Mujeres has good on-the-beach snorkeling and off-the-beach snorkeling.
Here is a video that we made which gives a good overview of what you can expect when you snorkel at Playa Norte:
Here are some photos of the fish that you may encounter:
Best on-the beach snorkeling in Isla Mujeres
The map below shows the best snorkeling spots in the Playa Norte area:
area 1 – snorkeling near the south of MIA Reef
area 2 – snorkeling near Playa Norte south of MIA Reef
area 3 – snorkeling at the lonely rock south of MIA Reef
area 4 – snorkeling west of MIA Reef
area 5 – snorkeling under the MIA Reef bridge
area 6 - Piscina del Rey
Please click on the links above to get to the individual reviews.
On the southern part of Isla Mujeres, snorkeling is restricted to various beach clubs, here is a small selection:
Due to dangerous waves and undercurrents, there is no on-the-beach snorkeling on the Caribbean (east) side of Isla Mujeres.
Area 1 – Snorkeling near the southern end of MIA Reef
Believe it or not, some of the best snorkeling in Isla Mujeres can be found on Playa Norte. In fact the lagoon in which area 1 is located is the only area on Playa Norte where there is any good snorkeling.
On July 16, 2024, the government roped off area 3 – it is now forbidden to enter this area and snorkel there. Area 1 is the submerged rocky area that starts about 50 ft (15m) south of the island on which the MIA Reef resort sits and goes for another 50ft (15 m) until where the lonely orange ball is located that extends west from the rope with the other orange balls.
This area typically has lots of Seargeant Majors and some other fish.
Area 2 – Snorkeling near Playa Norte south of MIA Reef
If you follow the roped off area with the orange balls from MIA Reef Resort all the way to the lonely house on Playa Norte, you will find some additional snorkeling by the rocks near the lonely house. Fish over here are by far not as plentiful as in Area 1, but it is still worth checking this area out.
Area 3 – Snorkeling at the lonely rock south of MIA Reef
On July 16, 2024, the government roped off the area near the lonely rock. It is likely that this is permanent, but you never know in Mexico.
The reason for the closure appears to be that people climbed the rock and jumped off and in the process hurt themselves or others. It may also have to do with people walking all over the submerged rocks, hurting themselves and the local flora.
If you enter the restricted area then you will likely be called back by a lifeguard, who may also take some photos of you.
Should this area open up again in the future, then snorkel around the lonely rock. There are plenty of fish, especially on the west-facing side.
I consider this to be one of the best spots for on-the-beach snorkeling in Isla Mujeres.
Area 4 – Snorkeling west of MIA Reef
If you like to snorkel all by yourself and if you are a good swimmer, then this spot may be for you. Please be advised that you may be all by yourself and nobody will be around if you get into distress. Therefore, stay close to the rocks, where you can stand and only go there if you are a good swimmer, and have a second person accompany you.
To get to area 4, follow the orange balls from Playa Norte under the walkway that connects MIA Reef Resort to the pavilion. If you stay on the left (away from the rocks), then you will have a comparably nice swim. If you stay on the right (near the rocks), then you will swim through lots of seaweed – this is not a nice swim.
Shortly after the rope with the orange balls connects to the island on which MIA Reef Resort sits, you will find a reef with quite a few fish.
You will also see a submerged barrier reef. Do not cross it (do not go north of it), as you will be subject to strong Caribbean waves and possible dangerous undercurrents.
Area 5 – Snorkeling under the MIA Reef bridge
The largest number of fish can be found under the MIA Reef bridge, close to the MIA Reef. The fish that live here are in the hundreds. The water is a bit hazy, but still good enough for snorkeling. Sometimes you will see people feeding the fish, which leads them to being surrounded by hundreds of fish.
Because the water here is not very deep, this is the best snorkeling spot for beginners.
Area 6 – Piscina del Rey
The northernmost part of Isla Mujeres, the island on which the MIA Reef Resort sits, has a natural pool called ‘Piscina del Rey’. It is a nice spot to relax for a little while and to do some snorkeling. This spot is suitable for beginners.
Piscina del Rey is on the MIA Reef Hotel property and access for non-Resort guests is not permitted. If you try to go there, you may be lucky that nobody bothers you, but chances are that a hotel guard may send you back.
To get to Piscina del Rey, just get on the walkway that leads from the western beach of this little island all the way north, passing numerous villas and hotel rooms until you see a sign pointing you to Piscina del Rey on the right.
Best off-the beach snorkeling in Isla Mujeres
There are various off-the-beach snorkeling tours that take you to good snorkeling spots near Isla Mujeres.
Whale Shark snorkeling tours
Isla Contoy tours
Snorkeling tours to MUSA, Manchones Reef, El Farito Reef
Whale Shark Tours
Whale Shark snorkeling tours are typically offered from early June through mid-September.
There are lots of operators that offer tours, and some cheaper companies have bad revies. In our opinion, it pays to go with a reputable company with an experienced crew.
Some established tour operators with good reviews are:
- Sea Hawk Divers
- Isla Fun Tours
- DC Explorer
- Mexico Divers
We particularly like Sea Hawk Divers. Unlike many of the cheaper tour operators, who only go to the site where whale sharks were sighted, Sea Hawk Divers explore the area nearby to find their own whale shark(s).
The ride out to the open sea where the whale sharks are typically takes 60-80min.
Sea Hawk Divers offer seasick pills to their customers – just in case – because sometimes people get seasick.
Once a whale shark is found, the captain announces the location to all other tour companies. That ensures that every tour is successful.
If there is more than one boat, then two customers plus the guide are dropped in front of the whale shark. When their 1-3min swim is over, then the next boat does the same, and so on. Once it’s your boat’s turn, then the next two customers get the chance. Overall, you can expect to get one or 2 snorkeling sessions.
The reason for this procedure is that the government regulates how many people can be in the water with the whale sharks at one time.
Of course, touching whale sharks or even getting too close to them is strictly forbidden.
Isla Contoy tours
These tours typically stop at the Ixlache Reef directly south of Isla Contoy. In our opinion, this reef has some of the best off-the-beach snorkeling in the area, with lots of colorful fish. Unfortunately, snorkeling stops here often only last for 10min.
Isla Contoy is a strictly protected national park and there are only very few operators that are licensed to land on the island. Please note that the company that you book the tour with will most likely not operate the tour, but book you on one of the licensed tour operator boats.
As such, it is highly likely that the boat will pick up more passengers in Cancun after you board in Isla Mujeres.
Isla Contoy is a strictly protected natural habitat. Visitors are not allowed to apply any sunscreen or mosquito spray, and they are limited to a gorgeous 1,000 ft (300 m) long beach and a roped off swimming area which has no notable snorkeling. At the northern end are some wooden posts on which you can often see pelicans sitting. When carefully approached, you can get fairly close to them.
There are also two short walking trails which can be accessed with a licensed tour guide.
Because the number of daily visitors is limited to 200, you can have much of the beach almost for yourself.
Snorkeling tours to MUSA, Manchones Reef, El Farito Reef
Most snorkeling tours go to either MUSA, Manchones Reef, and El Farito Reef, or to two of them. Many of the tours cater to snorkelers and divers, meaning the boat will have guides for snorkelers and for divers. Because the reefs are part of the National Park, tours from reputable companies will include admission to the park, and bilingual guides.
You will need to stay with the guides the whole time when you are in the water. Many tours will allow snorkeling at each spot for 30min or more.
In our opinion, it pays to go with a reputable company with an experienced crew.
Some established tour operators with good reviews are:
- Sea Hawk Divers
- Isla Fun Tours
- DC Explorer
- Mexico Divers
MUSA (tours)
MUSA is short for Museo Subacuatico de Arte, or Underwater Art Museum.
The idea to create a concrete reef with corals was first formulated in 2005, in an attempt to divert divers and snorkelers from Manchones Reef, which was being damaged by unregulated overtourism.
It took until 2008, until the idea took the shape of MUSA and was approved.
Several artists, but mostly Jason deCaires Taylor, created more than 500 concrete sculptures which were sunk, together with some corals, at a location west of Punta Sur between 2009 and 2010. Special equipment had to be built to ensure a safe operation that would not damage the sculptures.
Over time, corals will cover the concrete sculptures and form a reef.
The depth is about 26 ft (8 m), and because the water is pretty clear most of the time, you will be able to see the statues as a snorkeler. Just be aware that you will not see many of the details, as you are 30ft away. Divers can get up-and-close to the sculptures, but are not allowed to touch them.
The sculptures that snorkelers will likely see on their snorkeling trip are:
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Silent Evolution II, where you will see 45 hexagonal modules, each with human figures. All of them are different, and they resemble members of the local fishing village where Jason deCaires Taylor lives. They are interacting with the environment around them, both positively and negatively
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Anthropocene: Volkswagen Beetle by Jason deCaires Taylor
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The Bomb: two sliced bombs by Jason deCaires Taylor
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Time Bomb: an atomic bomb by Jason deCaires Taylor
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Seascape: an arch by Karen Salinas Martinez
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Seascape II: a large ring, which I believe has tipped over by Karen Salinas Martinez
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Urban Reef: two houses by Jason deCaires Taylor
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The Banker: people sticking their heads in the sand by Jason deCaires Taylor
Manchones Reef (tours)
Located between Punta Sur and MUSA, is Manchones Reef. Manchones Reef is the reef with the highest number of tropical fish, and the occasional turtle and stingray in the Isla Mujeres area.
The depth is about 30-40 ft (9-12 m), and the water is clear most of the time. As many fish tend to stay near the seafloor, they can sometimes be difficult to see for snorkelers. Divers will be able to experience a beautiful underwater world up-and-close.
El Farito Reef / Lighthouse Reef (tours)
I really liked El Farito Reef. It does not have as many fish as Manchones Reef, but the depth is only 10-16 ft (3-5 m), so you get much closer to the fish.
And because the water is crystal clear most of the time, snorkeling here is a pleasure.
One thing I really liked was to take a video of the reef with all its fish and then move the camera up over the water and see the lighthouse.
Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel
Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.
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