Nature reserve 30 km north of Isla Mujeres
A protected bird island north of Isla Mujeres, with nesting pelicans and frigatebirds; only 200 visitors a day on authorized boats.
Isla Contoy is a thin strip of land about 8.5 kilometers long, some 30 kilometers north of Isla Mujeres, where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean. It has been protected since 1961 and became a national park in 1998, and it is one of the most important nesting sites for seabirds in the Mexican Caribbean. Around 150 species of birds have been recorded here, and the mangroves and low trees are crowded with brown pelicans, magnificent frigatebirds and double-crested cormorants.
The island is also a nesting beach for four species of sea turtle: loggerhead, green, hawksbill and leatherback. To keep it that way, access is strict. No more than 200 people may land per day, and only on boats run by authorized operators; there are no hotels, and visitors stay in a small area near the dock, with a visitor center, a short trail and an observation tower.
That limit is what makes the trip worth it. The park is managed by CONANP together with Amigos de Isla Contoy, a nonprofit based in Isla Mujeres, and a day there feels very different from the busy beaches around Cancún: a quiet beach, clear water and the noise of thousands of birds.
What to see and do
Watch pelicans and frigatebirds nesting in the mangroves, from the trail and the observation tower.
Visit the small visitor center to learn about the island's birds and turtles.
Snorkel on the Ixlaché reef, a stop many tours make on the way.
Swim and rest on the beach near the dock; there is little shade, so bring a hat and biodegradable sunscreen.
Getting there
You can only visit with an authorized tour operator, and because of the 200-person daily limit it is best to book at least a day ahead, especially in high season. Tours leave from Isla Mujeres and from Cancún; from Isla Mujeres the boat ride is shorter, usually around an hour. Most tours include the park fee, snorkel gear and lunch on the island, but confirm before booking. Trips can be canceled in rough weather.
30 km north of Isla Mujeres
Directions from Isla Mujeres on Google Maps
Distances are in a straight line; the road is usually longer.
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Places to stay in Isla Contoy
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Weather warm
Isla Contoy shares the climate of Isla Mujeres, 30 km away. The best months to visit are Feb, Mar, Apr, Jul.
Make Isla Mujeres your base
Isla Contoy is an easy trip from Isla Mujeres, a Pueblo Mágico with places to stay, food, and more to see.
More around Isla Mujeres
-
Punta Sur
· Viewpoint · 4 km away
The island's rocky southern tip, with cliff paths, a sculpture garden and the remains of a small Maya temple to Ixchel. -
El Meco
· Archaeological site · 8 km away
Maya ruins on the mainland near the Punta Sam ferry, with a pyramid among the trees; reopened in 2024 with a bridge to the beach. -
Isla Blanca
· Beach · 17 km away
A long, undeveloped sandbar north of Cancún between the sea and a calm lagoon, popular for kitesurfing and quiet beach days.
Location from OpenStreetMap. Written by Puebloteca.