Isla Contoy National Park

Isla Contoy National Park is an uninhabited island and bird sanctuary about 30 kilometers north of Isla Mujeres, off the northeastern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula in Quintana Roo, Mexico. The island is a protected area with a daily limit on visitor numbers, and it can be reached only on licensed tours from Isla Mujeres or Cancun. More than 150 species of birds have been recorded on the island, including frigatebirds, brown pelicans, cormorants, and flamingos at certain times of year, and the beaches are used by nesting sea turtles. The island has white-sand beaches, clear shallow water, and low coastal vegetation, with a small visitor center and a lookout tower from which birdwatchers can survey the lagoon and the mangroves. Tours typically depart around 8AM and return around 5PM, so the experience is a full day. The boat trip takes about an hour and a half in each direction, often with a stop to snorkel at a reef along the way and sometimes trolling for fish. On the island, guides lead short walks along trails and describe the ecology, and visitors have time to swim, snorkel from the beach, and eat a lunch that is usually prepared by the crew, often fresh-caught fish. Tour prices are around MXN 2,100 per adult including snorkeling and lunch, with children paying roughly MXN 1,500, though the park fee may be listed separately and visitors should bring cash for it. Because of the visitor cap, tours should be booked ahead during busy periods. The best season is the dry months from November to April, when seas are calmer, though bird numbers vary through the year. Photography is best in the morning light, with long lenses useful for birds, and binoculars are worth bringing. Visitors should bring sun protection, water, and insect repellent, and follow park rules by staying on marked trails and taking all waste back with them. Rough seas can cause tours to be canceled.