Getaway to Cancun’s Isla Contoy

The next time you find yourself in Cancun, you must take time to get to know Isla Contoy which is located 30 kilometers away. Isla Contoy is a small and beautiful island situated in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. An ideal spot if you’re planning a day trip from Cancun, the island is only 8.5 km in length. In February of 1998, the island was designated as a National Park. Read below to learn more about Isla Contoy, a hidden oasis full of natural beauty and interesting wildlife.

How to Get to Isla Contoy

You can get to Isla Contoy in about an hour or two from Cancun or Isla Mujeres via ferry. Only a few tour operators run service to Isla Contoy, so make sure you schedule a booking ahead of time. Only 200 visitors are allowed to visit the island each day, so space is limited. Since there aren’t a lot of tour operators that have permission to take you to the island, some people arrive on their own accord by boat. However, individuals who want to arrive by boat must apply for permission at the Park Offices in Cancun or Isla Mujeres ahead of time. As you travel to the island, take time to explore Ixlache Reef which is ideal for swimming or snorkeling amongst the abundance and colorful marine life.

Island Wildlife and Beauty

Isla Contoy is the most important nesting area for seabirds in the Mexican Caribbean. The island is jointly run by an Isla Mujeres organization called the Amigos de Isla Contoy, A.C., and the National Commission for Natural Protected Areas CONANP along with the Secretary of Environment, Natural Resources, and Fishing who is also known as SEMARNAT. Currently, there are over 150 different species of birds that make their home on Isla Contoy. Some bird species live at the island year-round, while other birds only come to the island during their annual migrations. The top three most common birds found on the island include the frigate, the brown pelican, and the double-crested cormorant. If you prefer, schedule a guided tour with one of the resident biologists so you can learn all the facts about the island’s wildlife.

Plant Life and Sea Turtles

Isla Contoy is a popular nesting location for 3 sea turtle species including the green, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles. Each summer, these 3 sea turtle species arrive on the island to lay their eggs. In addition to turtles, there are also 98 plant life species on the island. The luscious and plentiful mangrove colonies are a very critically important plant species that provide shelter and shade for the many fish, birds, crustaceans, and reptiles that live on the island. Regularly, government-sponsored biologists monitor the ecosystem and living creatures on the island, and they also oversee regulation of commercial fishing that occurs in the area.

Visitor Center and Underwater Museum

Isla Contoy does not have any homes on the property, except temporary housing for workers and biologists. For visitors, there is a wonderful visitor center, a pier, museum, shop for souvenirs, ecological bathrooms, and shady resting areas where you can sit and rest on the benches and palapas. They also provide barbecue grills and a 22-meter high watchtower offers spectacular views of the island. If you’re a fan of hiking, there are 2 walking paths that allow you to get up close and personal with the local fauna and flora. A new archeological underwater museum was recently constructed as well. Be aware that there isn’t much shade on the island, so you bring sunglasses, binoculars, repellent, hats, sunscreen, and cameras along with you. Anything that you introduce to the island must be eco-friendly so the environment will still be protected.

On your next vacation to Cancun, schedule a day trip to visit Isla Contoy, a hidden magical oasis.