Cozumel Snorkeling Tour to Palancar Reef and El Cielo

4.5 (24 reviews)3 h 30 minCozumelWildlife & natureFits a typical call
Fits your day

Back at the ship by about 12:30 pm, 4 h before all aboard. That keeps your 1 h safety margin with 3 h to spare.

Safety margin
Ship in portGetting ashore (20 min)Safety margin (1 h)All aboard 4:30 pm
  1. 8:00 am
    Ship docks in Cozumel20 min to get off the ship and through the terminal
  2. 8:20 am
    Leave the pierAbout 20 min to the start point
  3. 8:40 am
    Earliest tour startTour runs 3 h 30 min. Latest sensible start: 11:40 am.
  4. 12:10 pm
    Tour ends20 min back to the pier
  5. 12:30 pm
    Back at the gangway4 h before all aboard
  6. 4:30 pm
    All aboardGangway closes; the ship won't wait for independent tours

Estimates based on the tour's longest published duration, our researched travel times and typical pier queues. Confirm the departure time on the booking page and keep your watch on ship's time.

Our verdict

This tour fits a typical Cozumel call (8:00 am–4:30 pm). It runs 3 h 30 min; ashore by 8:20 am, you can start by 8:40 am and be back at the gangway around 12:30 pm — 3 h to spare on top of a 1 h safety margin.

Rule of thumb: it keeps the safety margin as long as all aboard is 1:30 pm or later. Even a short 7:00 am–2:00 pm call works.

We don't have a verified start point for this tour yet, so we assume 20 min each way from the pier — the typical ride in Cozumel. Check the meeting point on the booking page.

Among the 400 Cozumel shore excursions we track, this is about average in length (the median runs 4 h); 90% of them fit a typical call.

Computed from the tour's published duration, the distance from the cruise pier to its start point and the typical Cozumel call. Adjust your ship's times above to recheck.

About this tour

Make the most out of your day in Cozumel and escape the crowds. On this tour to El Cielo with snorkeling, we go South to the Cozumel Marine Park. Snorkel the famous reefs Palancar and Colombia and see plenty of trropical fish, shallow corals as well as amazing sea creatures.

After an extensive snorkel adventure we take you to the magificient El Cielo, where you can already see the starfish from the surface in the cristal clear waters. Snorkel along the white sand and enjoy the beautiful colors of the Caribbean.

We will take you to shallower waters, called El Cielito and have a snack with guacamole and fresh fruits. Beers and sodas are also included in the tour. At this place, huge sting rays swim in the water, an amazing experience.

Take your friends, family or partner on this exclusive excursion and enjoy Cozumel.

Max 12 per group

What's included

  • Bottled water
  • Bilingual snorkel guide
  • Beer (For 18 years and above only)
  • Guacamole or fresh fruits
  • Snorkel equipment

Not included

  • Tipps and Gratitudes
  • There might be a photographer on the boat. Pictures can be purchased after the tour

Itinerary

  1. 1
    Palancar Reef
    This coral reef is in the Cozumel Marine park and streches for miles. Discover colorful corals, tropical fish and maybe a stingray or a turtle.
    1 h 20 minAdmission included
  2. 2
    Playa El Cielo Cozumel
    Enjoy the shallow waters and see the starfish that assemble in the sand. In Spanish, "EL CIELO" means "heaven". It is one of the most spectacular places in Cozumel if not in the whole Caribbean. After seeing the starfish, we move to the more shallow waters. Here we have snacks and fresh fruits, a beer or a soda. Stingrays circle around us, sure an unique experience.
    1 h 10 minAdmission included

Meeting point and getting there

Start point
Cozumel Port Caletta. Please take a taxi to the port Caletta in Cozumel. That is where the boats are waiting. Please ask there for the Major. He will wait for you where the blue sun umbrella is.
Cozumel Port Caletta. Please take a taxi to the port Caletta in Cozumel. That is where the boats are waiting. Please ask there for the Major. He will wait for you where the blue sun umbrella is.
From the cruise pier
About 20 min by taxi
Allow 20 min to get off the ship first. Taxi fares and pier details.
Returns
Back to the start point

Good to know

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. If the operator cancels for bad weather, you can rebook or get a full refund.
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Not for children under 6 years
  • Not allowed during pregnancy

Traveler reviews

4.5
24 traveler reviews
5
75%
4
8%
3
13%
2
4%
1
0%

Read all 24 reviews

Operated by Leon Tours. Prices, availability and tour details come from the booking partner and can change; the booking page is authoritative.

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