White sand, a bird-filled lagoon and open ocean, with a sunset at Isla Mujeres to finish the day. A private Isla Contoy charter with Riviera Charters is one of the most complete days you can spend on the water from Cancún. Here’s exactly how the day unfolds, from the first coffee on deck to the final cruise home.
Most Cancún boat trips stay close to the Hotel Zone. An Isla Contoy charter goes further. It takes you up the coast past Isla Mujeres to Isla Contoy, where a small museum, a lagoon full of birds and quiet beaches are waiting. Because you’re on your own private yacht, the day moves at your pace, with your own crew, your own chef and nobody else’s schedule to work around.
What Makes Isla Contoy Different
Isla Contoy feels a world away from the busy beaches of Cancún. Once you step ashore, you’ll visit the island’s museum to learn about its history, walk out to the lagoon to see the birds that call it home, and cross to the other side of the island to look out over the open water. After that, the beach is yours to relax, snorkel, sunbathe and take photos until late afternoon.
It’s a day that balances nature and relaxation beautifully, and it’s an easy one to love whether you’re travelling as a couple, with family or with a group of friends.
How the Day Unfolds
Charters depart from the Cancún marina at either 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM. Here’s how a typical day looks once you’re onboard:
- DepartureYou leave the Cancún marina and cruise along the Hotel Zone coastline towards Isla Mujeres.
- Breakfast at Playa NorteBreakfast is served onboard off Playa Norte, with a menu chosen by your group and prepared by your chef.
- The cruise to ContoyFrom Isla Mujeres, it’s around two hours to the island. A good time to settle in on deck with a drink.
- 12:30 PMYou’re picked up from the yacht and taken across to the island.
- 1:00 PMYou arrive on Isla Contoy for the museum, the lagoon and a look at the open water on the far side.
- Until 5:00 PMFree time on the beach to relax, snorkel, sunbathe and take photos and video.
- 5:30 PMBack onboard, where food and drinks are served as you head towards Playa Norte.
- Sunset and 6:30 PMYou arrive at Isla Mujeres to enjoy the sunset at Playa Norte, then cruise back to the Cancún marina.
Marine life can be unpredictable, so wildlife sightings can’t be guaranteed. Your captain will also let you know whether snorkelling is possible on the day, as the waters in the area tend to be shallow and the activity is done in small groups for safety.
What’s Included Onboard
One of the best things about a private Contoy charter is that the essentials are taken care of before you step aboard. Your crew of captain, steward and deckhand looks after the yacht and your group, while your chef prepares an exclusive menu of snacks and full meals.
Choosing Your Yacht
The Contoy charter runs on two vessels, and the right one comes down to the size of your group and the feel you’re after.
The 58 ft Azimut with Flybridge is a classic luxury motor yacht. Pricing starts from $5,400 USD for 1 to 8 guests, and it takes a maximum of 15 guests. The 51 ft Leopard Catamaran offers wide, stable deck space and room for bigger celebrations. Pricing starts from $6,450 USD for 1 to 10 guests, with a maximum of 30 guests. On both, each additional guest is $160 USD.
Both yachts have a shaded area, an air-conditioned interior, indoor cabins and bathrooms, easy water access and a high-end sound system with Bluetooth connection. Not sure which suits your group? Our guide to choosing the right yacht walks through the differences.
A Few Practical Details
A couple of costs aren’t included in the charter price, so it’s worth planning for them. There’s a dock fee of $15 USD per person departing from Cancún, paid before boarding, and a 10% service fee upon check-in. Transportation between your hotel and the marina can be arranged as an extra.
Our vessels aren’t built with special access, but the crew is happy to help guests with physical limitations aboard. Just let us know ahead of time. Our crew is local to the Riviera Maya, and while their first language is Spanish, they’re wonderfully creative at communicating with guests from all over the world.
“Let us know if you’re celebrating something special. An anniversary, a honeymoon or a family reunion all deserve a little extra.”
Riviera Charters TeamMake It Your Own
Celebrating a birthday, anniversary or honeymoon? A Contoy charter is a wonderful setting for it, and our premium upgrades make it easy to add a cake, decorations, a photographer or roundtrip transportation. Premium upgrades come at an additional cost, and our team can help you put together the right combination for your day.
Frequently Asked Questions
The charter is a full nine-hour day, departing from the Cancún marina at 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM. It includes breakfast off Playa Norte, an afternoon on Isla Contoy and sunset at Isla Mujeres before returning to the marina.
The 58 ft Azimut with Flybridge takes up to 15 guests, and the 51 ft Leopard Catamaran takes up to 30. Pricing is based on 1 to 8 guests for the Azimut and 1 to 10 for the catamaran, with $160 USD for each additional guest.
Your captain, steward, deckhand and chef, an exclusive menu of snacks and full meals, an unlimited premium open bar, snorkel masks, a paddle board, towels and use of the sound system.
A dock fee of $15 USD per person is paid before boarding, and a 10% service fee applies upon check-in. Transportation and premium upgrades are available at an additional cost.
Weather cancellations are decided by Riviera Charters and communicated to you before the tour. If the port is closed by marine authorities and a new date can’t be found, any deposit paid is fully refunded.
Ready for a Day at Isla Contoy?
Choose your yacht and your date, and let our crew take care of everything else, from breakfast at Playa Norte to sunset on the way home.
