Snorkeling Cozumel’s Reefs and El Cielo with AdrianCozumel
I had one of the most amazing experiences of my life snorkeling in Cozumel with AdrianCozumel Boat Tours. I went with my parents, my younger brother, and my uncle during our vacation, and this trip completely exceeded all of our expectations. If you love the ocean (I’m 17, a total water-lover and swimmer), wildlife, and an experience that feels like it was made just for you, this is the tour to book.
From the very start, everything went smoothly. Sky Wolf, our boat for the day, pulled right up to the pier at our hotel, Cozumel Palace, exactly on time. No taxi rides or waiting around—we just walked down to the dock, and there they were! Captain Diego and our snorkel guide Gustavo welcomed us aboard with big smiles.
On our way to the snorkel reef in Cozumel, Mexico.
We actually booked the tour just the night before, because our main goal for this trip was to visit El Cielo, and we weren’t sure if the reef would be open. My mom reached out to Adrian via Facebook Messenger, and he responded quickly and made booking super easy. At 8 a.m. the morning of our tour, we got the exciting news that the Harbormaster had opened El Cielo for the day—our adventure was on!
The Sky Wolf is a smaller boat with padded benches along each side, which made it really comfortable for our family of five. They provided all the life jackets and snorkel equipment we needed, we only brought towels. We did have to wear the life jackets while on the boat, but they were optional during snorkeling if you were a confident swimmer.
The Sargassum Situation
We were visiting in late June during a time when the Yucatán Peninsula was experiencing very heavy sargassum (seaweed), and we honestly weren’t sure what to expect. One day we went over to the mainland for the day, on the ferry between Playa del Carmen to Cozumel, we could see the seaweed situation, beaches on the mainland had backhoes working nonstop, piling seaweed into mounds up to six feet tall, but it barely made a difference.
I was surrounded by crystal clear water and stunning shades of blue!
But, on Cozumel’s west coast, it was like we entered a completely different world. The water was clear blue and seaweed free. At El Cielo, which is near the southern tip of the island, sargassum can show up in the summer depending on currents, but we were incredibly lucky. The currents had carried all the seaweed away, and the water was absolutely crystal clear. It felt like we were swimming in paradise.
Exploring the Great Mayan Reef
Cozumel’s reefs are part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, also known as the Great Mayan Reef, which is the second-largest barrier reef in the world (first is Australia’s Great Barrier Reef). The Palancar Reef system within it is stunning, and we got to explore a part of it up close.
We made three snorkeling stops along Palancar Reef, followed by a relaxing stop at El Cielo. Before we jumped in, Gustavo explained the importance of protecting the reef. He explained to us we shouldn’t apply sunscreen, because the chemicals can damage coral and marine life. He also told us that some reef sections are closed, they rotate closures periodically to allow the reef systems to recover. We were lucky to snorkel one spot that will close in just a couple of weeks. It was full of sea life so I am glad we got to see it.
Snorkeling Stops
First Snorkel Stop – Reef Adventure
Our first snorkel stop was deep and had lots of activity. Schools of parrotfish, angelfish, and wrasse darted through the coral, and we even saw a nurse shark slowly swimming along, exploring the reef. Of course, I couldn’t resist following it for a closer look, so I followed. The reef itself was gorgeous—full of coral and brightly colored fish. I’m a strong swimmer, so I loved diving down along the reef walls, checking out different corals and creatures, while my brother stayed closer to the surface with an occasional dive down. Gustavo stayed nearby to keep everyone safe, snapping pictures of us, while also letting us explore freely.
Hello beautiful! We spotted graceful sea turtles on our snorkel tour.
Second Snorkel Stop – Sea Turtle Haven
The next stop was a section of the reef where sea turtles are often seen. The coral formations here were breathtaking, towering columns, colorful ledges, and hiding spots for fish. Within minutes, we spotted two sea turtles gliding gracefully through the water. We could get up close to them, but not touch them. We also saw a puffer fish and two nurse sharks under a ledge resting calmly near the bottom. I couldn’t believe how much I saw.
Large starfish dot the sandy bottom at the starfish sanctuary.
Last Snorkel Stop – Starfish Paradise
Our last stop was a sandy area famous for its starfish. As soon as I jumped in, I was surrounded by huge starfish. The water was so clear, it felt like floating in an aquarium. My brother and I loved diving down for a closer look, while Gustavo pointed out other small sea creatures we might have missed.
El Cielo – Stingray Heaven
After the snorkeling, we headed to El Cielo, which truly lives up to its name—“Heaven.” It’s a shallow, white-sand area where the water is so clear it looks unreal. We waded and floated in the warm water while stingrays glided all around us, brushing past our legs and circling curiously.
Timid stingrays and white sand are waiting for you at El Cielo! We washed down our fresh ceviche with RC Cola (new to me, the ‘rents called it a throwback).
Meanwhile, Captain Diego prepared a fresh feast right on the boat:
- Sweet fresh-cut fruit
- Handmade guacamole
- Ceviche with chips
After we were done eating, we tossed the leftover ceviche to the stingrays, which was such a cool and unique experience to see them swim up quickly for the scraps.
The Ride Back – Captain for a Day
On the way back, Diego let me take the helm of the Sky Wolf, guiding me as I steered us across the open water. About halfway back, we spotted a giant inflatable whale floatie just drifting in the middle nowhere in the ocean. Captain Diego and Gustavo got so excited to “rescue the whale,” we all laughed as they pulled it aboard like it was part of the adventure.
Captain Diego let me take the helm on our snorkel boat for some of the trip back to the resort.
Throughout the day, Gustavo acted like our personal paparazzi, taking photos and videos of all the best moments. We never had to worry about carrying our phones or cameras or missing a shot, it was all captured for us.
Why This Trip Was Perfect
From start to finish, the day was seamless and exciting. Some of the things that made it a 5-star experience for us:
- Hotel pier pickup – Zero hassle; they were punctual and professional.
- Friendly, knowledgeable crew – Diego and Gustavo were both fun, and made us feel safe and welcome.
- Unreal wildlife encounters – Starfish, sea turtles, stingrays, nurse sharks, puffer fish, and so many tropical fish.
- Eco-conscious and respectful – Respect for wildlife, and insight about reef closures.
- Delicious fresh food – Fruit, guacamole, and ceviche, all prepared right on the boat while we swam.
- No need to worry about cameras or phones – Gustavo took tons of cool photos of us throughout the day, so we could just enjoy the moment without any hassle.
- Personalized and fun – From steering the boat to having photos taken for us, it felt like the day was designed just for our family.
If you want a snorkeling adventure that’s exciting, beautiful, and truly unforgettable, this is it. I’ll never forget swimming with turtles, sharks and stingrays in the Great Mayan Reef, hanging out at El Cielo, and feeling like the ocean was our own private playground. Definitely 5 out of 5 stars!
How To Book A Tour With AdrianCozumel
You can find and book your excursion with AdrianCozumel on Facebook or contact Adrian through Messenger, or through Whatsapp +52 987 876 1558.
My Recommendations
Other than towels, you really don’t need to take much for this excursion, but I do have a few recommendations to make the day perfect.
- Because of reef conservation, wearing most sunscreens is discouraged, but the sun in Cozumel is intense. I recommend reef‑safe sunscreen (or if you prefer spray sunscreen) and, while on the boat, a UPF 50+ long‑sleeve rash guard. It can also be worn for swimming to protect both your skin from the sun and the reef from excess sunscreen
- Bring a tote bag to carry your towels and store your clothes while you snorkel. I like this tote bag because it’s waterproof, sandproof, and folds up easily for travel.
- You don’t really need to bring your phone, since the crew takes amazing photos for you, but if you want to snap your own pictures, make sure to have a waterproof phone case.
With these simple items, you can keep your day stress‑free, enjoy the sun and water.
