Isla Contoy: An Uninhabited Island Paradise Near Cancun

Roughly 25 miles from the northern coast of Cancun lies the island paradise of Isla Contoy.  The tiny, uninhabited island (only 1.2 square miles) is a bird sanctuary and is considered to be the most important nesting place for sea birds in the Mexican Caribbean.  It has been a protected area since 1961 and, in February 1998, it became a national park.

Isla Contoy is the home to roughly 152 species of tropical marine birds, like flamingos, brown pelicans, & frigates.  Of the more than 10,000 birds on the island, only about half of them live on the island all the time.  The other half are migratory birds from the north.

One of the many birds on Isla Contoy

Even though Isla Contoy is very small, it has distinct differences between each side of the island.   The west side of Isla Contoy is just like a photo on a postcard.  It has white beaches with exotic plants and tall palm trees. However, the east side of the island faces open sea and has strong winds.  As a result of the strong winds, the vegetation in that area is low.  Adding to the diversity of the island’s landscape, mangroves and low jungles can be found inland.  To date, 98 species of plants have been identified on Isla Contoy, but the 4 types of mangroves are the most important and cover over half of the island.

Only 200 people are allowed to visit the island each day.  It’s exclusivity makes it even more special, since you get to experience the island without many other people around.  Only a small number of companies operate tours to the island .  Some  tours stop near the island so guests can snorkel at the Ixlache reef.  Then, on Isla Contoy, they have a BBQ lunch of fresh, grilled fish.  Tours depart from Cancun and Isla Mujeres.  It takes 1 to 2 hours to reach Isla Contoy by boat, depending on your point of departure.

A stingray swimming in the crystal-clear waters of Isla Contoy

While on Isla Contoy, you can take a guided tour given by one of the biologists that study and monitor Isla Contoy’s ecosystem, explore the island on your own, swim in the crystal-clear waters, or just relax on the white sand beach.  Despite the island’s small size, there is plenty to see and do, and people of all age groups will enjoy visiting this tiny paradise.