The 10 Best Turtle and Wildlife Trips in Cozumel

1.The Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,041 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $65Our pick

Sail from downtown Cozumel to several snorkel sites, including turtle waters, El Cielo’s starfish sandbank, and Cielito. Guides such as Alex, Roy, and Emilio lead small groups with gear, fresh ceviche, fruit, soft drinks, and limited alcoholic drinks. Wildlife sightings are natural, not guaranteed.

“Wow! Turtles,Sting Rays, Lunch in the Gulf, so many fish, hilarious tour guide, drinks and all around great time. Alex was amazing The tour was an incredible experience”

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2.4 Hour Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Experience on a Luxury Catamarán

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 608 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $77Top rated

Cruise Cozumel’s western coast on a catamaran with guides such as Leo, David, and Peter. Snorkel at reef sites, look for turtles and rays, visit El Cielo’s starfish sand, then relax at Cielito with ceviche, fruit, drinks, and music before returning to port.

“The trip was very good and fun, Davi was very nice to us. We went snorkeling and it was amazing. Cozumel is beautiful.”

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3.From Cozumel: Starfish, Stingrays and the Turtle Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 455 reviews · from $52

Join guides such as Nicholas, Andy, Gaspar, or Miguel for a four-hour Cozumel boat trip to Palancar, El Cielo, and shallow stingray waters. You get gear, shade, drinks, a snack, and time with turtles, starfish, rays, fish, and the occasional nurse shark.

“This tour was fun! We saw a lot of fish and it was beautiful. The tour guides were funny, and took amazing pictures with their go pro. I would recommend this tour!”

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4.Starfish, Stingrays and the Turtle Sanctuary Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 251 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $59

Spend about four hours on a small, shaded boat visiting El Cielo, shallow stingray waters, and Cozumel reefs. Guides such as Simon, Maui, Felipe, and Ricardo help swimmers of different abilities. Gear, drinks, beer, and a snack are included, but the $11 marine park fee is extra.

“Saw great fish, stingrays , starfish, nurse sharks. didn’t go to the turtle sanctuary as they stated. That is what we really signed up for. Also if you are expecting a larger boat this is not it. Staff was friendly, helpful and enjoyable.”

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5.The Cozumel Turtle Sanctuary Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 194 reviews · 4 hours · from $64

Spend four hours with Cozumel Snorkel Center visiting Colombia and Palancar reefs, the turtle sanctuary, El Cielo, and El Cielito. Guides such as Roy, Alex, Alejandro, and Albert lead the snorkel stops, while the crew serves ceviche, fruit, guacamole, and drinks in the water.

“This was the highlight of our honeymoon trip. Incredible views of the reef and local wildlife, wonderful service and very friendly staff, and the food was delicious. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone looking for a little adventure and a lot of fun!”

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6.Cozumel: Dolphin Royal Connection and Manatee Interaction

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 47 reviews · 50 min · from $135

Meet two dolphins in a 40-minute Royal Swim program, examine their fins, teeth, and blowhole, then spend 10 minutes with manatees at Chankanaab Park. Your package also includes park entry, VIP access, buffet lunch, and an international open bar.

“Heel slechte ervaring. Ik heb betaald voor de Royal Swim. De dolfijnen trainer was onbeschoft naar ons en totaal niet geinteresseerd. Hij ratelde zijn verhaaltje af alsof het een cassetteband was en was zeer onvriendelijk. We begonnen meer dan een half uur later dan afgesproken en er was niets Royal aan deze ervaring. Zwemmen was er ook niet bij en vrije tijd met de dieren al helemaal niet, terwijl dit wel wordt aangekondigd. We deden niets meer dan de mensen met de veel goedkopere dolphin encounter. Weggegooid geld dus!”

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7.Cozumel: Snorkel and Swim with Stingrays

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 38 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Spend two hours at Stingray Beach Cozumel with a guide in English or Spanish. Feed stingrays in waist-deep water, snorkel with rays and colorful fish, and see a reef installation made with 800 rescued corals. Pedro is one guide praised for his friendly, careful help.

“The activity was incredible! We fed the stingrays first and later we went snorkeling with the stingrays and nurse sharks. Pedro was absolutely incredible as a guide making sure we had a good time. It was pretty expensive but absolutely worth it! The only thing that kind of disappointed me was the prices of the pictures they took. We paid $70 for 25 pictures (3 poses). Overall a experience to never forget!!!”

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8.Cozumel: General Entrance to Mayan Bee Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 26 reviews · 45 min · from $13Best value

Spend 45 minutes at Cozumel’s Mayan Bee Sanctuary with an English or Spanish-speaking guide. Learn how Melipona colonies work, walk a limestone monolith path, hear about Maya bee traditions, and taste honey, pollen, and propolis products. Guides named Russell and Roberto have led especially engaging visits.

“Such a great experience learning about the bees and their importance, tasting the delicious honey, and being outside of the city in nature. Roberto was an amazing guide and we learned a lot from him. Highly recommend!”

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9.Star and Turtle Sanctuary Snorkeling Tour in Cozumel

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $65

Spend about four hours snorkeling from San Miguel with Lobo Marino Tours. The route includes Lever Reef, a turtle sanctuary, the starfish sanctuary, and El Cielo. Captain Fernando and guides such as Elías lead the outing, with gear, drinks, snacks, and a group of up to 23 people.

“What a great adventure. The crew was great. Snacks and beverages were good. Would do again to see different sea creatures. Weather and seas can vary. Boats go pretty fast and the ride can be bumpy. I say this since some folks bring small children.”

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10.Tierra Maya – Sanctuary of Living Mayan Traditions

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $100

Ride an air-conditioned Jeep with guide Irving through Cozumel, then visit Cynthia at a calm bee sanctuary for honey, cocoa, salsa, and tortilla workshops. The experience also includes local tastings and a Caribbean boat segment, with a maximum of 16 people.

“Originally we had scheduled this excursion for 830am. We didn’t realize we weren’t getting to port until 1100 am We messaged the tour guides less than 12 hours before and they were so accommodating. They are excellent at communicating using: text, email and through the app. The excursion?? It was so awesome. It was a private tour guide Irving so knowledgeable and so kind! If you get Irving you are in good hands!! He picked up us from the port (waiting with our names on a sign). We took an air conditioned jeep around the island. We got to see the capital, and area where the locals live. About 30…”

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