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Ferry, snorkel and the best of the island:Cozumel from Playa del Carmen

How to get to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen and the best things to do on the island: snorkel tours with turtles and starfish, diving, a submarine and the drive around the east coast.

9 picks, all rated 4.5★ or more. Updated October 2026.

Cozumel snorkel: starfish, stingrays and turtle bayMost bookedIn Cozumel

Cozumel snorkel: starfish, stingrays and turtle bay

Three snorkel stops in one morning, including the shallow starfish beach at El Cielo.

4.5 (693)4 hours
From$62See dates
Cozumel turtle sanctuary snorkel with El CieloIn Cozumel

Cozumel turtle sanctuary snorkel with El Cielo

Swim with sea turtles in a protected area, then stand among starfish in waist-deep water.

4.5 (296)4 hours
From$59See dates
Cozumel glass-bottom boat and three-reef snorkelBest valueIn Cozumel

Cozumel glass-bottom boat and three-reef snorkel

Short, cheap and good for mixed groups: non-swimmers watch the reef through the floor.

4.6 (227)2 hours
From$35See dates
Luxury catamaran to the turtle sanctuaryIn Cozumel

Luxury catamaran to the turtle sanctuary

The comfortable way to snorkel with turtles: a big catamaran instead of a small boat.

4.5 (136)4 hours
From$72See dates
Atlantis submarine to 100 feetIn Cozumel

Atlantis submarine to 100 feet

See the reef without getting wet. Great with kids or grandparents.

4.7 (143)2 hours
From$90See dates
One-tank scuba dive with Chankanaab Park accessTop ratedIn Cozumel

One-tank scuba dive with Chankanaab Park access

For certified divers: one reef dive, then the rest of the day at Chankanaab park.

4.9 (185)2 hours
From$72See dates
Cozumel ATV ride to Jade Cavern, with beach club and lunchIn Cozumel

Cozumel ATV ride to Jade Cavern, with beach club and lunch

Jungle trails on an ATV, a swim in a cavern cenote, then the afternoon at a beach club.

4.5 (212)4.5 hours
From$79See dates
Cozumel private buggy tour with lunch and snorkelPrivateIn Cozumel

Cozumel private buggy tour with lunch and snorkel

Your own buggy and guide around the wild east coast, a snorkel stop and lunch. Pickup at the ferry pier, so it pairs perfectly with the boat from Playa.

4.5 (179)5 hours
From$89See dates
Mexican lucha libre show in CozumelIn Cozumel

Mexican lucha libre show in Cozumel

Masks, flying wrestlers and a loud crowd. Pure fun, and very Mexican.

4.7 (156)2 hours
From$43See dates

Getting there

Ferries leave from the pier at the end of 5th Avenue, near Parque Fundadores, and the crossing takes about 35 to 45 minutes. Buy a round-trip ferry ticket ahead, keep it on your phone, and check the time of the last boat back. The channel can be choppy, so take something for motion sickness if you need it.

Which tour to pick

  • First time snorkeling: the glass-bottom boat with three reefs. Short, cheap, and non-swimmers can watch through the floor.
  • Turtles and starfish: the starfish, stingrays and turtle bay snorkel, or the turtle sanctuary tour with El Cielo.
  • More comfort: the luxury catamaran to the turtle sanctuary.
  • Certified diver: the one-tank dive with a day at Chankanaab park.
  • Not getting wet: the Atlantis submarine. Good with kids and grandparents.

On your own: rent a scooter or a jeep

The road around the island is the best free activity in Cozumel. Head south along the west coast, then up the wild east side, where the beaches are empty and the views are huge. Swim on the west side only: the east coast has strong currents and very few calm spots.

Good to know

  • Cozumel is famous for its reefs, many of them inside a protected marine park. Use reef-safe sunscreen or a rash guard.
  • Cruise ships dock most days. Tours and beach clubs are busiest when several ships are in port.
  • Bring cash in pesos for small shops and taxis, and keep some for the ferry terminal.
  • Give yourself a full day. Most tours start in Cozumel, so plan on an early ferry.

Questions we get asked

Is Cozumel worth a day trip from Playa?

Yes, especially for snorkeling and diving. The water is some of the clearest in the Caribbean.

Do Cozumel tours pick me up in Playa?

Most start in Cozumel, near the ferry pier or at a marina. Check the meeting point on the tour page before you book your ferry time.

Can I see turtles without a tour?

Sometimes, but a guided snorkel takes you to the spots where they feed, and the guide handles park rules and fees.

How many days do I need?

One full day covers a snorkel tour and a drive around the island. Divers often stay a few nights.