Cozumel · EL CIELO SANDBAR SNORKELING TRIPS
Everyone wants the sandbar and the boats get there in very different ways. These 15 range from a fast small-boat morning to a full catamaran day with an open bar, each priced and clear about how long you get on the shallow bank.
Join Cozumel Tours and Excursions for a four-hour snorkeling trip to Palancar Reef, Columbia Reef, El Cielo, and nearby reef sites. Your guide provides a safety briefing, gear, drinks, beer, and a snack. The shaded boat carries no more than 16 people.
Spend five hours aboard a private Lagoon 39 catamaran from Cozumel’s FONATUR marina. Your crew handles the sailing, drinks, snacks, lunch, snorkeling gear, paddleboard, and floating mat. The day can include El Cielo, reef snorkeling, and shallow sandbar time, with guides such as Hugo, Lucy, David, and Saul often on board.
“Great day on the water. The crew did a great job with all the food and fun. Getting off on the sand bar is a blast. Really nice boat.”
Join Fury Catamarans in Cozumel for a five-hour afternoon on a 65-foot catamaran. Snorkel with a certified guide, visit shallow turquoise water near El Cielo, then enjoy a private beach, cheeseburger lunch, water floats, kayaks, and drinks before music and dancing on the return ride.
“The tour itself was great. Communication leading up to tour was terrible. We were told to go to playa del Carmen to board. We took ferry to main land only to be told our tour was in Cozumel, which was where we started. We wasted timRead more”
Cruise Cozumel with your own group aboard a private boat, stopping at Chankanaab and Paradise reefs for guided snorkeling. Carlos, Miguel, Omar, and other crew members help beginners in the water, while ceviche, fruit, beer, and margaritas turn the final beach stop into a relaxed afternoon.
“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 snorkeling at Colombia and Palancar Reefs, then swim among starfish and stingrays at El Cielo. The tour includes gear, an open bar, ceviche, fruit, chips, and Money Bar access. Jonathan, Carlos, Pedro, and Israel are among the crew members praised for safety and service.
“We had such an amazing time on this excursion! We had ages 5-73 and everyone enjoyed it. The staff was so amazing and very helpful! Would definitely do this again. Highly recommend! S”
Set out from Marina Cozumel for a four-hour catamaran trip to Palancar and Columbia reefs, El Cielo, and turtle areas. Your crew provides snorkeling gear, drinks, snacks, and time at a secluded beach. Some departures have included guides such as David, Elias, and Oliver, though boat and route details can vary.
“Don't expect to show up to an available catamaran. Arrived and they said the boat was booked for a private group so they could not honor our reservation. So they put us on a different tour for a nominal refund, but failed to tell us that is was an entirely different package. Just skip this and enjoy your Cozumel time elsewhere.”
Spend five hours aboard a 65-foot Fury catamaran, snorkeling Palancar Reef and swimming at El Cielo’s starfish sandbar before lunch at Fury Private Beach. You’ll get guided snorkeling, a snorkel pipe to keep, kayaks, paddleboards, a floating water park, and drinks served after snorkeling.
“This was an incredible activity. From the time we arrived to the return was completely awesome! The staff are incredible and each stop was lovely. It was great to have a snorkel guide in the water. I was nervous because I thought it would be a non-stop party vibe but it turned out to be quite family friendly. The entire catamaran had a hard metal deck so I wish there was a net or some place more comfortable for laying out in the sun. I also would’ve loved more time at the beach club but I’m grateful for the time we had at each spot.”
Join JS Tours at Marina Cozumel for a four-hour, small-group snorkel trip to Colombia Reef, Palancar Reef, and El Cielo. Guides such as Tony, René, Roberto, and Juan lead the way, with gear, sandwiches, fruit, beer, soft drinks, and water included.
“Tony and Rene’ were fantastic! The snorkeling sites were full of wildlife. They took care of us and no one was left behind in the group. Snacks were delicious! 100% recommend.”
Take a four-hour private boat from Cozumel’s ASIPONA Marina to El Cielo, Palancar, Columbia, and nearby reefs. Your crew supplies gear, drinks, snacks, shade, and marine-life spotting. Guides such as Ricky, Carlos, Oscar, and Jose have helped families find turtles, rays, nurse sharks, lobsters, and starfish.
“We had the best time with Jorge! He was kind & amazing with the kids! I wish I could remember our other guides name. He was awesome as well!”
Spend about 4.5 hours snorkeling Palancar and Colombia reefs, visiting El Cielo, and enjoying ceviche, guacamole, fruit, beer, soda, and water. Small-group boats, guides such as Gio, Poncho, and Daniel, plus island-wide pickup make this a strong-value outing, though transport and timing can be uneven.
“The crew, Teyes and Geraldo, made the trip memorable. They were fun, funny and very engaging and helpful. Reyes was very knowledgeable and pointing out the sea life.”
Spend about three hours on a private boat from San Francisco Beach Club with a captain and snorkeling guide. Visit Palancar and Colombia reefs, El Cielo’s starfish area, and El Cielito’s shallow ray-filled waters. Fresh ceviche, guacamole, fruit, beer, soft drinks, and water are included for groups of up to five.
“Really cool experience. The food was excellent. The guides were fun. I recommend the private experience.”
Ride the 29-foot First Lady from Cozumel’s marina to Marine Park reefs and El Cielo. Captain Jairo, Luis, Cristian, and other crew members tailor the day around sea conditions, with snorkeling gear, lunch, drinks, shaded seating, and a marine toilet included.
“One of a kind experience, from the fishing to the snorkeling, to just hanging out on the sandbar, they made sure my wife and I had a great time. And the ceviche they made for us was delicious.”
Spend about 4.5 hours snorkeling at Palancar Reef, Colombia Reef, and starfish-filled El Cielo, with fruit, ceviche, guacamole, nachos, and soft drinks included. Groups are capped at 15, but boat delays, rough water, crowded sites, and no included fins are worth noting.
“If you’re looking for a family friendly snorkeling adventure, look no further! My husband, my son (4), and myself enjoyed everything about this excursion from the people to the sea life, everything was superb. When my son didn’t want to snorkel anymore, he stayed on the boat with the captain while we were able to still snorkel! Mary, the photographer is AMAZING! If you’re questioning whether or not to get the pictures. GET THE PICTURES! They are breath taking! And worth every penny! I 100% would recommend this company to everyone!”
Join El Mayor Snorkeling Tours for a four-hour shared boat trip from Cozumel’s Marina Caleta. Guides such as Alfonso, Alex, Luis, Lalo, and Paulino lead small groups to Palancar, Colombia, El Cielo, and El Cielito, with starfish, rays, fish, ceviche, drinks, and snorkeling gear included.
“People were very friendly. The instructions getting there was a little confusing for me tho and personally I would've preferred we stayed longer at the palancar reefs where we actually did snorkeling and could see fish instead of spending most of the time at El cielito which is just a sandbar where we hang out (palancar was like only 15-20 mins out of the 3-4 hours). If you're looking for a more hang at the beach kinda tour then this is for you, but if you want more snorkeling I'd try looking for other options.”
Meet Paloma at module 6 by Cozumel’s fiscal pier for a four-hour trip to Palancar, Columbia Reef, and El Cielo. Snorkel with guides such as Omar, then enjoy starfish, possible manta rays, drinks, ceviche, tostadas, fruit, and shaded boat seating.
“We liked the places we visited, they're really nice, but the tour wasn't what I expected because they told us to arrive 15 minutes before 12 and we left at 12:30, even though the activity started at 12. And instead of starting the activity, they went to three places for other passengers, losing another 30 minutes. Also, there were no new snorkel tubes, so it's a health risk. They also don't handle food hygienically.”
Pick a reef, a lounger, a track or a table.
