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"Do It Yourself" Snorkel Tour |
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Cozumel is a top notch snorkel spot in the Caribbean and boasts incredible water clarity which is critical for a good snorkel experience. Since Cozumel is ranked in the top three as a world class diving destination, one simply has to put their face in the water to see why. And it simply stands to reason that as a world class scuba diving destination, Cozumel's snorkeling has to be awesome, too! Plus, Cozumel is an island just big enough to be an adventure but not so large that one feels intimidated going it alone to explore. So what better adventure to try than a "do it yourself" or "self guided" snorkel tour along the beautiful Cozumel coastline.
Now, If you'd like to consider getting certified to scuba dive rather than snorkel, then click here to learn more about diving in Cozumel. The good news is that a person does not have to know how to scuba dive in order to enjoy the exciting underwater beauty Cozumel has to offer. Cozumel is one of the few places where snorkeling is easy and very accessible not only by boat but along the shoreline as well so scuba is not necessary to enjoy the incredible snorkeling in Cozumel. The key to amazing snorkeling in Cozumel is knowing where to go!
What better way to explore the beauty of Cozumel's spectacular reefs and colorful tropical fish than by snorkeling. One can easily snorkel via a boat trip (click here for Our Favorite Boat Snorkel Trips) and luckily from shore as well.
Cozumel's shorelines gently slope toward deeper waters and provide miles of beautiful snorkeling just a couple of steps from the waters edge. With a simple set of mask, snorkel and fins and perhaps a flotation vest if necessary, a person can immediately enjoy the colorful underwater realm just a few yards off shore!
Snorkel Stops:
#1 Lighthouse at Tio Joe's
#2 Playa Villa Blanca
#3 Barracuda Bar & Sand Dollar Beach
#4 PalMar Estate and Dzul Ha
#5 Butterfly Sanctuary Pit Stop
#6 Playa Uvas
#7 Playa Corona
Step 1: Equipped!! Decide how you want to handle your equipment options. For those who really enjoy snorkeling and plan on doing it for a lifetime in various destinations, investing in a set of equipment is the best way to go. Having your own equipment saves rental fees and ensures you are always comfortable and accustomed to the gear. A decent set of snorkel equipment which consists of mask, snorkel and fins can easily be purchased for US$30 - $50 in the USA. Equipment for purchase is available here in Cozumel in most of the large supermarkets and dive shops however, since everything is imported to the island, prices will be higher. Snorkel equipment rental prices range US$ 12 -$ 20 daily and many locations now will not allow you to take their equipment off premises which will limit your ability to snorkel in various places around the island. So make your snorkel equipment decision based on how much you plan to snorkel!
If a beach is offering "FREE" snorkel equipment ~ typically this means they don't have much to see in the way of snorkeling. They give it away because folks go out for a few minutes and realize there's nothing but sand and then give up the equipment.
Also, decide if you feel you need to invest in a flotation device to assist you while snorkeling. Some feel most comfortable with the self inflatable snorkel vests. These are available for purchase in the US for US$ 30 - $50 each. Rental prices for snorkel vests run US$ 8-10 but again, many locations now will not allow you to take their equipment off premises.
Step 2: Book a rental car now ... Since Cozumel has few paved roads around the island, you can rent a car and strike out on your own island tour with very little chance of getting lost. As long as adventurers stay on the pavement, they eventually come full circle around the island. Circling the island via paved road can take as little as 2 hours or as many as you want depending on how many stops you decide to make along the way!
Step 3: Print the Beach Chart & this section about Cozumel's best snorkel spots!
Step 4: Secure an island map. You can secure an island map from the car rental agency or you can order a most excellent one online from us and help support our website Franko's Cozumel Map
Step 5: Have fun & enjoy your day in Cozumel!!
Step 6: Support our website and advertisers!!
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Support our Website - Reserve Here or Vist Our Ad Partners!
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BoneFish Car Rental Cozumel - Compact VW Jetta (5 Pax) |
Compact Class VW Jetta (automatic) has a standard automatic transmission, A/C & Sunroof with MAX PAX: 5 People
From US $60 Daily (Max = 5 pax)
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BoneFish Car Rental Cozumel - Economy Chevy Astra (5 Pax) |
Economy Class Chevrolet Astra (standard) has A/C with MAX PAX: 5 People
From US $49 Daily (Max = 5 pax)
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BoneFish Car Rental Cozumel - VW Convertible (4 Pax) |
Old Style VW Convertible (Standard) Car Rental
From US $43 Daily (Max = 4 pax)
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Cozumel Dolphin Swim Adventure |
A unique opportunity to swim with dolphins and get to know them better! Experience the joy of a dolphin kiss, hugs and handshake and then marvel at the dolphin's strength as you are towed through the water with a "belly ride." You will fall in love with their gentleness during this activity created especially for you to bond with dolphins!
US $129 Adults / US $89 Kids / Infants FREE !
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Cozumel Manatee Encounter |
The Manatee Encounter in Cozumel is a one of a kind adventure, the only swim with manatees program in the Caribbean. Manatees are beautiful and enormous, once thought by sailors to be mermaids, these gentle giants can grow as long as 13ft/4m and weigh up to 1300 lbs/600 kgs! Bring the family to live the experience !!
US $59 Adults / US $59 Kids
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Cozumel Sea Lion Discovery |
Dolphin Discovery's Sea Lion Discovery program provides a unique opportunity for some playful, educational interaction with these wonderful animals. Sea lions are fun and mischievous creatures the entire family will enjoy!
US $59 Adults / US $59 Kids
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SEA TREK Cozumel Helmet Diving |
If you can't swim, no problem! SEA TREK Cozumel Helmet Diving was designed to allow non-swimmers to explore underwater. It is as simple as walking and breathing!
US $84 / Person
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Cozumel's Complete, Private Island Jeep & Snorkel Tour |
You'll see more in one day than others see in a lifetime!!!
Starting at US $75 Adults / US $60 Kids
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Cozumel Island Map & Reef Creature Identification Cards |
Beautifully drawn and virtually indestructible Franko Cozumel Map and Franko Fish Identification Cards showing lots of detail including beaches, reefs, streets and landmarks!
Maps and Identification Cards from US$ 4.95
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PalMar Snorkel Beach Club & Patas y Alas Butterfly Sanctuary |
Bring your group and spend the day at our PalMar small, private beach facility and enjoy a day of snorkeling at Cozumel's premier beach entry snorkel spot! No crowds here and gates close daily with a maximum of 50 people on site! Plus Patas & Atlas Butterfly Sanctuary which, in 2018, merged with Cozumel Butterflies & Botanical Gardens is now included when open (seasonal)!
US $19 Adults / US $8 Kids - Includes FREE Drinks!
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Rentadora ISiS Car Rentals Cozumel - Compact (Manual) 5 PAX |
Compact Class - Volkswagen (VW) Gol has a manual transmission, A/C, five (5) door hatchback and will hold a maximum of five (5) passengers.
US $50 Daily (Max = 5 pax)
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Rentadora ISiS Car Rentals Cozumel - Convertible (Manual) 4 PAX |
Convertible Economy Class - Chevrolet (Chevy) Pop Convertible has a manual transmission, comes in a two (2) or four (4) door option, no A/C and will hold a maximum of four (4) passengers.
US $45 Daily (Max = 4 pax)
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Rentadora ISiS Car Rentals Cozumel - Economy (Manual) 4 PAX |
Economy Class - Chevrolet (Chevy) Matiz has a manual transmission, comes in a five (5) door hatchback, with air conditioning (A/C) and will hold a maximum of four (4) passengers.
US $45 Daily (Max = 4 pax)
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Rentadora ISiS Car Rentals Cozumel - Subcompact (Manual) 5 PAX |
Subcompact Class - Both Chevrolet (Chevy) Aveo or Nissan Tiida have a manual transmission, comes in a four (4) door sedan, with air conditioning (A/C) and will hold a maximum of five (5) passengers.
US $55 Daily (Max = 5 pax)
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Cozumel Manatee Encounter
Cozumel Sea Lion Discovery
SEA TREK Cozumel Helmet Diving
PalMar Snorkel Beach Club & Patas y Alas Butterfly Sanctuary
Cozumel Manatee Encounter
Cozumel's Complete, Private Island Jeep & Snorkel Tour
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(03/26/2019) - Great snorkeling. Beautiful water. Awesome service. Had snorkeling gear. Try both kinds of the salsa. The cab cost 4 of us $8 from the pier. The drivers don't want to take you there because of no kickback. I will go their again on the next cruise. Steve - Google Maps Review ~ USA
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We visited the beach club as part of the perks of staying at the IslaMar Villas as it is owned by the same person. I have to say what a wonderful experience. If you want to get away from the tourist beach clubs this is your place. The day we visited we had the beach area to ourselves ~ perfect snorkeling right of the beach. If the ocean isn't for you there is a large pool to use a few steps away along with change rooms and a bar. Staff were great ~ bringing our food and drinks we ordered over to us on the beach! Out visit got cut short due to weather but would definitely return again on our next trip to Cozumel. G. & J. - November 2015 ~ Elmira, Ontario Canada
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My son and I decided to avoid the cruise ship excursions for snorkeling and try Pal Mar Estate Beach Club. I read a number of reviews and figured it was worth a shot. We have gone on 4 cruises now and always done the cruise line sponsored excursions and without a hesitation this is by far the best thing we have done. Pal Mar was nice, clean, very quiet and the staff was beyond awesome. One of the most relaxing times we have had. The Pico de Gallo was fresh and hand made and fantastic....my son wont touch tomatoes and such and he ate it all up...wonderful! The snorkeling was a lot of fun and we saw tons of fish, starfish, coral, etc. and even a Moray eel. Very cool and spooky too to be honest. We had a blast and would do it again in a heartbeat. With cab fare both ways, Pal Mar admission, 4 beers for me and two sodas for my son along with chips and Pico we spent only 65$. We snorkeled for almost 4 hours....exhausted but a blast! We must have seen at least 8 excursion trips come through the area we were at and they are there maybe 45 min to an hour and gone. It would have cost us 3 times what we paid to do the ship excursion and we got to relax and snorkel all day. Can't recommend it enough and we will definitely be back when our next cruise stops in Cozumel. Thank you so much for your hospitality!! M. Schomaker-Feb. 2015 ~ Elk River, MN USA
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WOW!!!! So glad to have stumbled upon Cozumel Insider and found Sherri and PalMar Small Beach Club. Personable, responsive, tailored, every whim satisfied- from drinks to beach chairs, to the best guacamole ever made, to wonderful conversation with Sherri and staff. This service is simply not found at larger tourist beaches and clubs. We are now loyal guests and will return and return and return. Sherri's story is most intriguing and it was entertaining and awe-inspiring to hear her tell it. Our only regret is that our RC cruise ship was departing and we had to head back to port much sooner than we wanted to. Martin- you are AWESOME! thanks for the photos you emailed and all the coordination leading up to our very short visit. We know you didn't have to do that- but it matters and have made us fans for life. Love you guys! John and Sarah ~ Pennsylvania, USA
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We had a great day. The weather was sketchy but the fish plentiful, food excellent, beer cold and location super. Can't say enough good things about the entire experience from booking to departing. Will certainly make this our go to spot when in Cozumel! L. Smith - June 2016 ~ Shreveport, LA USA
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