All Inclusive Caribbean adventure, reef snorkeling, Food & Drinks

The stretch of sea between Cancun and Isla Mujeres is famously calm, and this all-inclusive catamaran outing uses that flat, clear water as the backdrop for a day that mixes reef snorkeling with a beach club stop and an open bar. It departs daily from Marina Cun Maran in the Cancun hotel zone and runs across roughly eight hours, giving you time to actually settle into the island rather than just glimpse it.

After boarding at Marina Cun Maran on Blvd. Kukulkan Km. 5, the catamaran sails out toward one of the Caribbean's reef systems, where the crew hands out snorkeling gear and life jackets so guests can get in the water and look around at the marine life below, weather permitting. From there the boat continues on to Isla Mujeres, docking near an exclusive beach club that's included in the day.

At the beach club, a regional buffet is served, and afterward the pace slows down: you can stretch out on the sand for a while, or head into the town of Isla Mujeres to look through the shops for handicrafts and beach accessories among the local crafts on offer. The open national bar runs throughout the day, on the boat and at the club, and as the catamaran sails back toward Cancun in the afternoon, you get a broad view of the hotel zone skyline from the water before disembarking.

This suits travelers looking for an easy, drink-included beach day with a snorkeling component rather than a technical dive trip — the tour is described as suitable for all physical fitness levels, and infants are welcome provided they sit on an adult's lap. It's not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or for those who are pregnant, and only guests between 9 and 60 years old can take part in the snorkeling itself. The operator also notes that its catamarans, vans, and equipment are sanitized daily as a standing practice.

Because a swim stop is built into the route, bring a swimsuit and sun protection; snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided by the operator, so you don't need to bring your own. The regional buffet, beach club admission, and open bar are covered, but gratuities and federal port tax fees are not included and should be planned for separately.

Check-in for the standard departure runs daily starting at 9:00 am and closes at 9:45 am, ahead of the boat's operating window of 10:00 am to 5:00 pm from Marina Cun Maran. If you're staying in Cancun, Playa Mujeres, or the Riviera Maya and would rather not make your own way to the marina, select the tour grade with roundtrip transportation and the operator will confirm a pickup time based on where you're staying; public transportation options are also available nearby for those making their own way there.