Dolphin and sea life trips in Cozumel
Stingrays, turtles and dolphins in Cozumel
Cozumel's animal encounters center on Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park, about 9 km south of town. Visitors can swim with dolphins or manatees, watch a sea lion show, or see sea life from a glass-bottom boat over the offshore reefs. Most of the animal swims are booked in advance.
About stingrays, turtles and dolphins in Cozumel
Animal encounters on Cozumel center on Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park, a park south of town. Dolphins, manatees and sea lions are kept in beach enclosures there, and visitors can swim with them for a fee. The park's name comes from Maya words meaning small ocean.
A day here usually means a short taxi ride to the park, about 10 to 15 minutes from the main cruise terminals. Dolphin swims need booking and park admission, and cameras are not allowed in the swim area. Mornings are the calmest and least crowded time. A glass-bottom boat over two or three reefs is another option.
- About 9 km Chankanaab south of town
- 10 to 15 minutes Taxi from main cruise terminals
- Two or three reefs Covered by glass-bottom boat tour
Dolphin and sea life excursions in Cozumel
Booked with our partner Shore Excursions Group. Prices are per person. Each trip says where it goes.
Dolphin Swim Adventure at Chankanaab National Marine Park
Sea Lion Encounter and Chankanaab Park
Dolphins - The Royal Swim at Chankanaab
Goes to Chankanaab Park
Dolphin Encounter and Chankanaab National Marine Park
Turtle Bay and El Cielo Catamaran Snorkel in Cozumel
Goes to El Cielo
Private Turtle and Starfish Catamaran Snorkel at Turtle Bay and El Cielo
Goes to El Cielo
Where to go for Stingrays, turtles and dolphins
Each trip shows where it goes.
Chankanaab Park
Dolphins, manatees and sea lions are kept in beach pens, and visitors can swim with them for a fee. Turtles and rays are also seen by snorkelers along the reef.
Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park
Divers here may see seahorses, eagle rays and turtles. Turtles nest on the beaches in nesting season, and visitors must keep their distance from the reef and not feed or touch the fauna.
What to expect
Most people reach Chankanaab by taxi from the port gates, a ride of about 10 to 15 minutes. Taxis wait just outside the gates, and a round trip can be arranged there. The park is set on a small cove, and the animals are kept in pens on the beach. A dolphin swim, a manatee swim or a sea lion show is the main draw, and most passes also include access to the rest of the park.
The other option is a glass-bottom boat trip over two or three reefs. These reefs are part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second largest coral reef system in the world. The trip takes about 2 hours, and you watch sea life pass beneath the glass floor on the way out to the snorkel sites. It suits anyone who would rather stay dry and does not want to get in the water.
Tour or on your own Either Swims are booked at the park or through tours, and the park is an easy taxi ride from the cruise piers.
Time it takes 2 to 4 hours A dolphin or manatee swim with park access runs about one to two hours, and the glass-bottom reef trip takes about 2 hours.
Effort Easy Most of the activities are seated, wading or floating, with a short walk around the park.
Who it suits Families and first-timers The park has shallow swimming areas, play areas and animal exhibits for children, and the encounters need no diving experience.
Good to know Booking and no cameras Dolphin swims need booking and park admission, and cameras are not allowed in the swim-with-animals area.
Best months Year-round The animal encounters run all year; booking ahead matters most on cruise days, and mornings are calmer.
Good to know
- Book the dolphin swim before you arrive; a small deposit secures the ticket and the balance is paid at the park.
- Leave cameras in your bag for the swim-with-animals area, since they are not allowed there.
- Taxi fares depend on distance and the number of people, so agree on the price before you set off.
- Bring cash in pesos for small purchases, since many businesses here take US dollars at a poor exchange rate.
Questions
Can you swim with dolphins in Cozumel?
Yes, at Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park, about 9 km south of town. Dolphin swims need to be booked in advance and include park access. Cameras are not allowed in the swim area, so plan to leave them with your bag.
How do I get to Chankanaab from the cruise port?
Take a taxi. Taxis wait just outside the port gates, and the ride takes about 10 to 15 minutes from the main cruise terminals. You can also ask any local driver to take you to Chankanaab.
Is a glass-bottom boat trip a good option for seeing marine life?
It is, especially if you do not want to get in the water. The boat visits two or three reefs, which are parts of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, and you can watch sea life through the glass floor. The trip takes about 2 hours.
More to do in Cozumel
Sailings that stop in Cozumel
1,478 sailings on 19 cruise lines call here in the next twelve months. Totals are for two guests, taxes included.
MSC Seascape
Sun Princess
Margaritaville Islander
Sources: Chankanaab Park Cozumel · Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, Wikipedia · Cozumel, Wikivoyage
Photo: Chrisi1964, CC BY-SA 4.0