Mexican Caribbean · EL CIELO SNORKELING TOURS
El Cielo is a shallow sandbar off the south-west coast where sea stars lie on white sand. These 15 trips reach it, usually with a reef stop first, and differ on boat size, time in the water and what the bar serves on the way back.
Set out from Marina Cozumel ASIPONA for an approximately four-hour guided snorkeling trip to Palancar Reef, Columbia Reef and El Cielo. Experienced guides can help beginners, and your group is limited to 16. Masks, new snorkel tubes, flotation vests, drinks and a snack are included. Bring cash for the $11-per-person marine fee.
Set sail from Cozumel’s FONATUR Marina on a private five-hour Lagoon 39 catamaran charter for up to 15 people. The captain helps shape the route, while the crew provides snorkeling gear, a paddleboard, a floating mat, lunch, snacks, and a top-shelf bar. El Cielo and a sandbar are popular possibilities, but your exact stops depend on the day.
“We cruised with our extended family ranging in age from 1 - 75. This was the perfect excursion for our family, and the day could not have been better! Shelly and the crew were so accommodating and took care of ALL of us the entire trip! From meeting us at the taxi drop off (some of us walked from the cruise terminal about a mile) ,showing those who had not snorkeled how to, playing on the water toys on the sand bar, arranging taxi pickup for the return trip, and everything in between it was perfect! They pointed out lobster and sea turtles while snorkeling, which was an added bonus…”
Spend about five hours aboard a 65-foot catamaran, snorkeling at a Cozumel reef before heading to a private beach for an Angus cheeseburger, drinks, and water activities. The afternoon trip leaves Fury Catamarans’ pier at 1:30 pm and returns there. Crew members named Angel and Angelito have led trips, though assignments can vary.
“Super fun experience. We saw sting rays at the little beach! Even the two teenagers had a good time!”
Take a four-hour private boat trip from Tortugas Snorkel Center to Cozumel’s Chankanaab and Paraiso reefs, with snorkeling gear, a professional crew, ceviche, fruit, and drinks included. Crews such as Carlos, Miguel, and Omar have helped families and first-timers feel at ease. Expect a secluded beach stop if conditions allow, plus an $11-per-person marine park fee.
“We had the PERFECT day!! Truly exceptional. The crew was so fun, kind and safety oriented. Lunch was delicious & so was the rum punch! Would HIGHLY recommend!! THANK YOU Mani, Captain & photographer!!!!! (Sorry I don't remember their names!)”
Spend about four hours aboard a shared catamaran from The Money Bar, with two reef snorkel stops and time in the shallow, clear water at El Cielo and El Cielito. Snorkel gear, ceviche, fruit, chips, and an open bar are included. The boat holds up to 30 people, and the $13 marine park fee is extra.
“The snorkeling sites were the best. Turtles, stingrays, many brilliant fish, starfish, and great food w drinks. I’ve been traveling to Cozumel for 25 years. This group was Excellent!!”
Take a roughly four-hour catamaran trip from Marina Cozumel to reef and sandbar stops, with snorkeling gear, drinks and a snack included. You may see turtles, rays, fish and starfish. Crew lineups vary; on some trips, Elias has led the group and Oliver has handled food, drinks and underwater photos.
“Our trip was fun and snorkeling was great with good equipment. We didn’t however make it to the beach club for some reason, but I can’t say that necessarily detracted from the overall experience. The crew was fun and helpful.”
Spend five hours aboard a 65-foot Fury catamaran, snorkeling Palancar Reef and the shallow, starfish-dotted waters of El Cielo before heading to Fury Private Beach. Lunch, snorkel gear, a tube to keep, and beach toys are included. Beer and margaritas are served after snorkeling; transportation to the pier is not.
“Excellent trip, it was well worth the money with free flowing drinks and a laid back relaxed atmosphere… snorkelling was excellent and so was the beach club. Most of our trips in Mexico where overpriced and not worth it except this one.”
Join a bilingual guide for a four-hour Cozumel snorkel trip to Colombia Reef, Palancar Reef, and El Cielo. Gear, fruit, sandwiches, bottled water, soda, and beer are included. The boat holds up to 15 people, but may stop at hotel piers to collect others. Bring cash for the $13 marine fee.
“The crew was awesome! And we had a great time!! They accommodated to us and to the others on board with language and food and drink”
Set out from Cozumel’s ASIPONA marina for a private, roughly four-hour snorkel trip with a certified crew. Your group of up to seven gets gear, shade, drinks and fresh ceviche, with stops chosen from reefs such as Palancar and Columbia and the shallow starfish waters of El Cielo. Guides such as Ricky, Carlos and Jose have helped guests spot turtles, rays and nurse sharks.
“We had a fantastic few hours with Panky (snorkel guide) and Alberto (Captain). They were friendly, knowledgeable, attentive and we had the best snorkeling experience I have ever had. nurse shark, eagle ray, moray eel, sea turtle, star fish, conch, lobster … and then topped off by chips and homemade guacamole in the ocean while rays swam around us. Also got great underwater photos from Nedi. Marina is a short, safe 15 minute walk from the cruise terminal. Highly recommend”
This 4.5-hour Cozumel boat trip visits Palancar and other reefs before stopping at El Cielo for ceviche, fruit, guacamole, chips, beer, soda, and water. Pickup is offered at cruise piers, hotels, and the ferry. Small groups are advertised, with a maximum of 18 people, though you should confirm arrangements and timing before you go.
“We had a great time the water was perfect the staff was very accommodating. As a matter of fact I accidentally scheduled for the wrong date and I was able to text the company and they responded very quickly and they were very accommodating they just said yeah no problem and told me where to meet them and me and my family went and had a great time honestly I think it exceeded my expectations because it was such a reasonable price.”
From San Francisco Beach Club, a private boat takes your group of up to five to Cozumel reef and sandbar stops, including Palancar, Colombia, El Cielo, and El Cielito when conditions allow. Expect supplied snorkel gear, an in-water guide, and fresh ceviche, guacamole, fruit, and drinks. Guides such as Manuel, Alex, Victor, and Ruben have helped families spot turtles, rays, and reef fish.
“We absolutely LOVED our time in Cozumel with Victor and Ruben. We saw beautiful sea life in 3 different spots with the last spot definitely our favorite. They called it Heaven and it had to be close. Pristine crystal clear water with stingrays that were not aggressive but just swam by. Victor and Ruben prepared a amazing dish of ceviche that was super fresh as well as yummy guac and fresh fruit that we enjoyed. They had cerveza, water and soft drinks. This excursion was personal and special because there wasn't a ton of people on board. Would definitely go again next time we are in Cozumel!!”
Charter the 29-foot First Lady for a private Cozumel outing of about four hours, with snorkel gear, shaded seating, a marine toilet, drinks, and a freshly prepared lunch. The plan includes reef stops and El Cielo’s shallow sandbar, but weather can change the route. Crews have included Captain Jairo, Luis, Antonio, and Christian; fishing availability needs confirmation.
“Very friendly team! Great day with snorkeling, boat ride, lunch and sandbar swimming! It was a windy day and the team adapted our location to minimize the wind impact. Amazing fresh lunch and endless drinks available!”
Join El Mayor Snorkeling Tours for a four-hour shared boat trip from Marina Caleta, with stops at Palancar and Colombia reefs, El Cielo and the shallow sandbar at El Cielito. Snorkeling gear, drinks, seasonal fruit and fish ceviche are included. Groups are capped at 13, and guides such as Luis, Alfonso and Alex have been praised for helping families and newer snorkelers feel safe.
“Amazing experience, very helpful guide (Luis). Saw lots of sting rays, a turtle, baby pufferfish etc. would highly recommend.”
From Cozumel’s ferry pier, take a shaded boat to Palancar and Columbia reefs, then spend time snorkeling and relaxing at El Cielo. The four-hour trip includes gear, a guide, drinks, ceviche, tostadas, and fruit. Expect to pay 850 pesos in total, not just the advertised $14 deposit. Apply sunscreen before check-in.
“Spectacular! Highly recommended, and Omar and his team are amazing”
Spend about four hours and 15 minutes snorkeling three Cozumel stops: El Cielo’s shallow sandbar, Palancar Reef and Columbia Reef. Guides provide masks, snorkels, fins and optional life vests, plus drinks and a snack. The tour leaves from Marina Caleta, with a stated limit of 14 people. Stops can change, so confirm the day’s plan before setting out.
“What started with a large amount of trepidation ended in a wonderful experience. The first point to recognise is that the marina is located away from the cruise terminal. It's about a 5 minute taxi ride at a cost of $9-00USD (could likely be a tourist price). We were extremely nervous on arrival at the marina - it looks somewhat run down. The boat also looked as though it had seen better days. So - that was the worrying part. However, once on board everything was wonderful. It's about 20 minutes to the most southerly reef we visited. The journey was exhilerating. Once there we were provided masks, snorkels, fins…”
Pick a reef, a road or a beach.
